Randomness In The Form Of Words

Blackhawks Vs. Sharks Review (Dec. 11, 10)

2010-12-15T09:51:00.000-08:00

A hot-handed Ryane Clowe (#29, pictured above) and company showed up to face reigning Stanley Cup champions in a re-match to prove which team is the best in the west. Both teams looked evenly matched to start the game. Antti Niemi (#31, pictured below) was in goal for the Sharks and Corey Crawford was in net for the Blackhawks. It was truly a duel of the goalies as goals were very hard to find for both sides. While the goals were low, the shots and speed of the game were all high paced. Only three penalties (2 for the Blackhawks, 1 for the Sharks) were taken, keeping the pace of the game going at full speed with very little stoppages. Halfway through the first period, Jason Demers skated the puck into the zone and centered towards the net, where Player of the Month Clowe tipped it past Crawford to get the early lead for the Sharks. The lead didn't last long as the Blackhawks answered with less than two minutes left in the first period to tie the game up. The Sharks thought they got one with only seconds left on the board, but upon video review it was shown that Crawford was able to get the stick down in time and stopped the puck from ever crossing the goal line keeping the game tied up at one a piece.

During the second and third periods, both teams had their scoring chances but the goalie workshop that was put on by the two netminders kept everything out of the net, well almost everything. The Sharks dodged a bullet when the referee lost sight of the puck on a hard shot that Nemo thought he had. Yet at the last instant, the puck trickled into the net but because the referee lost sight of it, he blew the play dead and the goal was disallowed. A few minutes later, a great pass from the D to Logan Couture launched him into the Blackhawks zone where he split the defense with a great deke. Unfortunately, he and not the puck ended up behind Crawford in the net. The impacted caused Couture to cut the net with his skate which caused a minor delay as the Shark Tank crew repaired the torn net.

Thornton, Clowe, Pavelski, and Couture all had great scoring chances in the third as did the Blackhawks but Nemo and Crawford kept the game tied at one a piece, forcing a five minute overtime period. On an offensive zone faceoff, the Sharks were able to quickly gain control of the puck and start a cycle by passing the puck back and forth from the defense on the points to the wingers on the boards. This constant movement helped open up passing lanes and kept the Blackhawks guessing as who was going to take the shot. Marc-Edouard Vlasic faked the shot and made a beautiful pass that found Clowe all alone near the net. Clowe one-timed the puck past Crawford to win the game in overtime. Niemi and Clowe definitely get the nod for this victory as both came up big when the Sharks needed them the most. The Blackhawks goalie was also very impressive, keeping his team alive when the Sharks were dominating play. A great rivalry was born in last year's Western Conference Finals and this year, the Sharks are 2-0 against the Blackhawks. The Sharks will meet the Blackhawks two more times this season to determine which team is the best. Look for updates in March, as the last match-up between these two teams will be televised on Versus.

Simulating The Past

2010-12-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

I have always been a huge fan of the old school style RPGs. Commonly referred to as Tactical Role-Playing Games or TRPGs, I know them by their Japanese name: Strategy Simulation Games (In Japan TRPGs refer to table-top games). And one of my favorites in the genre is Shining Force, a 16-bit cartridge classic from the Sega Genesis. It was one of the hand-me-down consoles I got from my brother, including an old NES, that introduced me to the world of video games. While I enjoyed a lot of his old games including Sid Meier's remade Pirates! Gold, Shining Force introduced me to a new element in video games that would soon change the way I defined gaming - story. The combination of characters that actually had personality and a compelling story forever changed the way I played and chose my video games. It also introduced me to my favorite video game genre. It seems that nowadays you don't see too many simulation RPGs around, with many RPGs moving towards real-time action but luckily for me, Shining Force was included in Sega's Ultimate Collection which allows me to go back and relive the past on my PS3. If you're like me and want a taste of the good old games of Simulation RPGs, I'd definitely recommend picking up Jeanne d'Arc for the PSP, a great modern Simulation game from Level 5. Tactics Ogre is also returning to the West with the PSP version of Let Us Cling Together. With new and old games alike still alive and well in the Simulation RPG genre, I can't help but remember the good old 16-bit era days while looking forward to next level in gaming.

Clock Stopper

2010-12-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Sharks fans were treated to two great games with the Sharks facing off against Detroit and Philly. I was treated because both games were televised on Versus, a national sports channel, which allowed me to watch both games in glorious HD. These two games proved two major points - that every second counts and that the Sharks weren't going down without a fight. Proving me wrong in almost every way, I almost feel as if I should just delete my previous blog and start over. While it was only two games, these two games showed why the Sharks are playoff contenders and reminded me of what they are truly capable of. Let's hope the Sharks have finally found their way back to their winning ways.

The first game found the Sharks in Hockey Town, ready to face the number one team in the West - the Detroit Red Wings. As the first period got under way, the Wings dominated the Sharks, putting on the pressure and keeping puck position for what seemed like most of the game. Actually, the Sharks didn't touch the puck once in six minutes at one point in the first period, six minutes! Detroit by far is one of the best puck moving and best puck controlling teams. If you ever want to see how skilled they are, all you have to do is check out a few game highlights on NHL.com to see their talent. The puck barely stays on any Red Wings' player for more than a second before he passes it on to another skilled player. The shear speed of movement had the Sharks spinning in their defensive zone, figuratively and literally. It was only a matter of time before the Wings would strike and they found the opportunity when rookie defenseman Derek Joslin took a penalty in his own zone. They quickly capitalized with a shot from the blue line that was redirected past Niemi. The Sharks were also guilty of taking some seriously bad penalties in the first which had them playing defense for most of the first period. Some good stick work and a lucky bounce launched Heatley and Thornton on a shorthanded two-on-one opportunity. Jumbo of course did not shoot the puck but opted to pass it to hot handed Heater. As the play quickly developed, Heater faked the shot and passed the puck back to Jumbo who was able to lift it past the sprawling Detroit goalie to tie the game up with a shorthanded goal. With minutes left in the first period and once again on a power play, Detroit found the back of the net to give them the go-ahead-goal.

Completely dominated by the Red Wings, coach Todd McLellan would later refer to it as the worst first period the Sharks have ever played. I'm sure they were reamed out pretty well for their lack of commitment and effort because the starting of the second brought new life to the Sharks. With puck control and a great cycle going in the Red Wings' zone, the Sharks were able to get the puck to the point where Wallin was waiting to power one through and tied the game. With barely enough time to catch their breathe, Clowe protected the puck and was able to feed it to Logan Couture (#39, pictured above) who made it 3-2 only eight seconds later. The Red Wings got their scoring chance when the puck trickled past Niemi, but Nemo was able to see it and stop it with his glove before it crossed the line.

A sloppy turnover in the neutral zone came back to bite the Wings when the puck found its way onto Dany Heatley's stick. Heater, with a great rush down the right wing, was able to just blister the puck past Howard for a little more insurance: 4-2 Sharks. The third period found each team with equal opportunities but the icing on the cake came when Couch redirected the puck into the net (play pictured above). Because it went off his skate, the goal had to be reviewed (puck cannot be kicked in) but was deemed a good goal making the game a 5-2 victory for the Sharks.

Two days later, The Sharks found themselves in Philly facing the number two team in the whole league, the Flyers. Calder Trophy hopefuls Logan Couture and Flyers goalie Bobrovsky (pictured above) would face off numerous times in this insane game. Again, the Sharks seemed to come out of the gate flatfooted with the Flyers dominating play in the first. This time it was Niittymaki in goal to help keep the Sharks alive while they tried to find their game. The sluggish first period seemed to be over with the last faceoff draw in the Flyers zone but Thornton was able to win the draw and throw the puck back to the D who blasted it towards the net where Ryane Clowe was waiting to tip it past Bobrovsky. Four seconds to go in the period and the Sharks had a one goal lead.

The second period was all orange as the Flyers came back to brutalize the Sharks with three quick goals that found Nitty all alone with the rest of the Sharks just trying to find the puck. One such goal found rookie defenseman Justin Braun watching Nitty make the save rather than trying to tie up a Flyer's stick. This mistake allowed Giroux to gather the rebound and bury it for the game-tying goal. Things would not get better for the Sharks as the Flyers were able to score two more quick games when Nitty was left out to dry by his D-men who seemed to not know where they were supposed to be. The Sharks almost got one back when John McCarthy deflected the puck in off of his skate, but unlike Couch's goal against Detroit, it was ruled to be a "distinct kicking motion" and the goal was disallowed, the game remained: 3-1 Flyers.

The Sharks came back to work in the third period but the Flyer's were the ones to capitalize with a great shot-deflection that made it 4-1 Flyers. The game seemed all but over, after all a three goal deficit in the third period is not something easily overcome. The newly returned Jason Demers had something to say about that when he skated the puck into the slot and beat the Flyer's goalie top shelf to try and get the Sharks back into the game. Minutes later, the rookie leading-scorer, Logan Couture, buried the puck past a scrambling Flyer's goalie to get the Sharks within one and there was still time enough on the clock for a spectacular comeback. Then on a beautiful, and I mean beautiful set play (I mean it, click the picture above to watch the replay if you don't believe me) Jumbo Joe found an offensive zone faceoff and was able to chip the puck right to a streaking Pavelski (#8, pictured above) who ripped it past Bobrovsky's glove to the game at 4-4. With a few more chances, the Flyer's tried to end the game in regulation but Nitty said no and sent the game into 4-on-4 overtime.

With the abbreviated 5 minute overtime period, both the Sharks and the Flyers had their fair share of looks but solid defensive work kept both teams alive. Then, matching minor penalties made things really interesting as the last two minutes of play became 3-on-3. A neutral zone turnover sent the Flyers racing into the Sharks zone and Flyer's forward Richards was able to beat Niittymaki just before the buzzer sounded (play pictured above) . . . or did he? If you look closer at the photo above, you can see that the little black speck did not cross the red line before the clock hit zero, robbing the Flyers of an overtime victory and sending the game into a shootout. With Nitty standing tall, he was able to beat Briere with a great pad save. Couture was up next and with a nifty head deke, he was able to go five hole and score. Giroux tried to beat Niittymaki but shot it wide, with Clowe ready in the wings, if he scored he would win the shootout and the game. For being such a big guy, Clowe has some serious stick skills and showed it off by deking and backhanding the puck up stairs past the Flyer's goalie to cap off a crazy game with a Sharks victory.

Both games were well played and the game against Philly was just crazy. Niemi and Niitymaki really kept the Sharks alive as both first periods were played poorly for the other Sharks players. A few rookie mistakes almost cost the Sharks their wins but being able to find the offensive pressure helped to elevate them over two prominent opponents. It was nice to see that the scoring was spread around a little bit more evenly as well with Couture, Clowe, and Heatley really making a huge difference for their team. The Sharks have one more game to go before they return to San Jose to face the Stanley Cup champs. Now it's time to see what the Sharks a really made of.

Blackhawks Vs. Sharks Preview (Dec. 11, 10)

2010-12-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Chicago Blackhawks fly into town once again to face off against their Western Conference final opponent from last season. Their first meeting back in November pitted Antti Niemi against his former team and the Stanley Cup Champions. With Dany Heatley (#15, pictured below) striking first, it was a hard fought battle as Jamal Mayers, Joe Pavelski, and Patrick Marleau (#12, pictured at bottom) each scored for the Sharks. The Blackhawks answered with goals from Dowell and Sharp. The Sharks were able to seal the deal when Patty scored an empty netter to defeat the Blackhawks 5-2.

Not even three weeks later, the Blackhawks and Sharks will face off in another showdown with the Blackhawks ready for revenge and the Sharks in desperate need for points in a stacked Pacific Division. Do I expect a different outcome this time around? Actually, yes.

The Sharks seem to have lost their way, sitting pretty in last place in the Pacific Division and out of playoff position while the Blackhawks have won seven of their last ten games (compare that to the Sharks four). While, I'm trying not to be negative, the fact is that odds are against the Sharks. Right now they are out on one of the hardest road trips, a week long sprint across North America which will pit them against some of the toughest teams in the league. Add in the serious injury problems they have faced (more on that later), it doesn't help that the Sharks haven't been able to play consistently at all this season. Chicago has had its ups and downs too, but seem to have found their groove as of late. So what exactly is wrong with the Sharks? You'd think that with the only major changes being in the goaltender position, it would be easy to blame the new guys but in all honesty it's the core group that needs to get their act together.

Nitty and Nemo have been flip-flopping back and forth on who starts so it's hard to say if one is truly better than the other. Niittymaki has the better numbers with a decent .910 save percentage compared to Niemi's .886. Lately though, Niemi has been playing quite well and had a stellar performance against the Blackhawks the first time around as well as more recently against the Ottawa Senators. With Nemo playing most of the games on such a long road trip, it has me wondering if Nitty won't be the one to start when the Sharks come back for their first home game of the month.

So, if it's not the goalies, then what's the problem? It's scoring, surprising to hear from a team that has a 50+ goalscorer, a 40+ goalscorer, and the Art Ross (most points in a season) recipient but it's true, the Sharks have already been shut out four times this year. While Heater does lead the Sharks in goals scored, he along with Patty and Jumbo have been shut out too many times and the same goes for the second line guys. Both Pavelski and Ryane Clowe (#29, pictured above) had 10+ games with no goals and Setoguchi has had worse luck with only two goals this entire season.

A weakened defensive core doesn't help either, Rob Blake's departure has truly left a void that has yet to be filled from the blue line. While I've been impressed with Huskins, Murray, and Demers - the others, Boyle, Wallin, and Vlasic have left something to be desired. Boyle, who has been a solid force both defensively and offensively has had some shaky play in the past few weeks with uncharacteristic turnovers and giveaways. I'm sure this is just a temporary phase and he will be back on par soon. As for Wallin, he is inconsistent and needs to find a way to get his job done every night. As for Vlasic, I don't know what's wrong with him except that he has a -7 rating and zero points in the last 25 games.

Now to the injuries - Setoguchi, Demers, Wallin, and Huskins have been out of the lineup for weeks. Murray and Nichol were also injured but have since returned to the lineup to give the Sharks a much needed defensive presence. Replacing the four injured are rookies Benn Ferriero, Mike Moore, Derek Joslin, and Justin Braun who have done a great job for the Sharks even with their limited experience. Ferriero has scored three goals in his last four games, making him a better asset than the player (Seto) he replaced. Justin Braun has also been impressive with his ability to get the puck up the ice quickly and his fast release. He has even scored his first NHL goal, I wouldn't be surprised to see him stick around in San Jose for a while even after everyone is healthy.

There are others on the Sharks squad that have been playing well. Take Logan Couture who is just two goals behind Heater. His name has also been thrown around when talk of the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) comes up. He does lead all rookies in scoring, shots, and faceoff win percentage. He has been by far the best Sharks player this season. Scott Nichol, John McCarthy, and Jamal Mayers have done well, fulfilling their roles on a nightly basis. Too bad they aren't a more offensive line, the Sharks could use the help. Even though Clowe has had problems scoring, he has still found a way to contribute to the team by being strong on the boards, playing well defensively, and has even found a new role in the set-up guy, trailing assist leader Thornton by only three points.

What the Sharks need right now is to find a way to play consistently. Even with their injured team and rookie filled back end, they were able to pull off an impressive 4-0 victory over the Senators, proving that they still and can win in a dominating fashion. Their lack of consistency is what has been costing them and the lack of scoring needs to be solved soon. With Detroit, Philadelphia, and Buffalo still left on their road trip before they return home, the Sharks have their work cut out for them. These points are precious in such a tight race to the playoffs. Not only are the Sharks in jeopardy of losing the Pacific Division title but a playoff berth as well. With the halfway point quickly approaching, this season is flying by and if the Sharks don't find a way to win, they will find themselves on their couches in front of the TV when the April playoffs role around. That's why this game is important, that's why every game is important. They'll have the home ice advantage, where they have won the most consistently, let's hope they use it to their advantage.

She Looks Just Like Me

2010-12-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

I just downloaded some more sugary goodness from Freezepop in the form of their latest song, Doppelganger. It's a big slower than Magnetic but still just as catchy. I have to say, I'm really excited about this latest album with the new members and the fresher sound. With the release of their new album only days away, I've also already pre-ordered my copy from the updated website and store. They are offering nine different pre-order packs! From the simple CD and poster combo to a $4,999.99 Uber-Superfan Pack which includes airfare to Boston and a day with Freezepop! They even have a pack that offers a re-recording of any Freezepop dedicated to any person you choose. There's also one that offers toe-nail clippings from the band members . . . crazy! While, I'm a big Freezepop fan, I only went with the CD+, poster, and t-shirt combo. Look for my complete breakdown of Imaginary Friends soon.

My Heart (Ted, Ted, Ted)

2010-12-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

After the news that Insomniac Games was going multiplatform, I had a conversation with a friend of mine about my initial reaction of "How could you cheat on me like this Ted?!" After all, I've been a long time fan of not only Insomniac but Ted Price as well. While I learned to cope with the news, it still bothered me so I channeled that emotion into a letter to Ted Price (though I'll never send it). Of course, being me, I ended up turning a simple letter into a jingle with music and everything. Here are the lyrics to my latest song -

My Heart (Ted, Ted, Ted)

Dear Ted Price,

Ted, Ted, Ted
I’ve loved you ever since I read
Your interview in OPM
Back when I was just ten

You were my first big crush
I ran out and bought your game in a rush
Little thing called Spyro the Dragon
Was filled with so much fun

I love you with all of my heart
I don’t even know where to start
Telling you how I feel
You’re so cute and you’re so smart

Ted, Ted, Ted
I could’ve picked Jason [Rubin] but chose you instead
Didn’t even have to think twice
You’re so cool and you’re so nice

I love your dark wavy hair
I can’t help but stare
At your dreamy smile
And your sharp sense of style

I’m an Insomniac in my heart
I stay up late and play in the dark
I can’t help but reel
At the awesomeness that’s Captain Quark

Ted, Ted, Ted
On May 25th [2010] I got out of bed
Ready to start the day
Enjoying your games, the games I play

But my world came crashing down
I let out a scream as I fell to the ground
I couldn’t believe the news
I had been cheated on by you

You took a Tesla Claw and ripped out my heart
Your Agents of Doom tore it apart
All because of that deal
With Electronic Arts

Ted, Ted, Ted
I can’t get this through my head
You’re making a brand new game
For that RROD dame

But I’ll forgive you anyway
After all, what can I say?
I understand your plan
Just remember I’m your biggest fan

Don’t use a R.Y.N.O. to nuke my heart
Don’t let Mr. Zurkon blast it apart
Just give me some time to heal
Your cheating ways has left its mark

Ted, Ted, Ted
There’s no reason for us to dread
Our Co-op journey’s just begun
Soon we’ll be singing All 4 One

We’re gonna stop the Chimera Invasion
On the one and only PlayStation
So make a sequel to Disruptor
Then we’ll live happily ever after

With love, signed madtyger

Up In Flames

2010-11-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

I've probably mentioned it before, but my family is in the process of moving down south for a change in job, scenery, and weather. Little by little, we've been taking boxes and furniture down and storing them so we won't have as much stuff to take once we make the big jump down there. Well, it looks like we will have a little less stuff to worry about now. My father left the Sunday after Thanksgiving with a van full of boxes to take down and store when, in the middle of nowhere, he saw a flickering in the back of the van then the lights all went out, including the headlights. He had left at 4am so it was completely dark outside. He stopped the van and that's when he noticed the small fire in the back. He went out to open up the back and try to put out the fire but because the van had an electrical short he could not override the lock on the door. The van also began to roll away down the embankment (where he had stopped was literally right next to a river) but he was able to get into the cab and pull the emergency break. He called 911 and because of the remoteness of the area, they not only sent out Highway Patrol and the closest firefighters, but the volunteer firefighters as well who lived nearby.

This is where it gets really stupid, the volunteer firefighters arrived and could not put out the fire because they are not allowed to carry fire extinguishers. Does that make any sense? Apparently, fire extinguishers are considered to be "bombs" and they are not authorized to have them in their vehicles. So they, along with my father, just had to sit and watch the van burn. About 30 minutes later, the actual firefighters and Highway Patrol showed up. By then, the van had been completely gutted.

Luckily, my father was able to get out unscathed and was also to rescue his work laptop and all of his office files from the fire. Unfortunately, everything in the back of the van was completely gone, and I mean gone. The whole back of the van was completely filled with boxes and plastic tubs had been reduced to ash. Even my father's kayak (pictured below) was completely melted into an unrecognizable heap of plastic. My father had a bunch of stuff in the van including awards from his career in the Navy, clothes (including a really expensive tuxedo), all of the kayak gear, and his collection of military challenge coins to name a few. My mother's belongings consisted of some antique pictures, antique porcelain dolls, and a handmade blanket that has been in the family for four generations. We also lost some furniture including my two media bookshelves and a large box of DVDs and Blu-Ray movies.

As for the stuff I lost, my complete collection of anime and video game memorabilia was in that van. Figures, artwork, every single collector's and limited edition boxes were in there as well. While most of the stuff didn't matter I can't help but be disappointed about some of the things I lost. Some notable ones are the collector's edition of Fallout: New Vegas which I had just got and didn't get the chance to fully enjoy its contents before packing it. The CLAMP 15th Anniversary chess set was also lost, something that took me 3 years to complete. I also had some collector Gundam action figures straight from Japan which cost me a pretty penny. And did I mention that my whole collection was in there? I'm trying not to be too bitter about it since the most important thing is that my father got out safely. But when I look at the only collector's boxes I have left (GT5 and AC: Brotherhood because they came after he left and Batman because it didn't fit), it's a little hard to take in, after all I literally buy every collector's and limited editions of all the games I get. I also lost all 16 boxes of the special editions of Naruto, the leather book that holds my Read or Die series, and my limited edition Rurouni Kenshin anime.

To make matters worse, the van (which was a work car) has, or I should say had only limited insurance coverage so not only will we not get reimbursed for the loss but the towing fee and the fee to junk the van will not be covered as well. On the bright side is that my entire collection went up in flames. It may sound odd, but I'd rather lose all of it than only some of it and then have to be bothered with trying to replace what has been lost. With all of my collection gone, there is literally no way for me to replace it so I'm actually not as bothered about it. After all, I'm a completist, I can't stand leaving a collection unfinished, this way there is no unfinished collection since there is no collection at all. At least that's what I'll keep telling myself.

Again though, my father was able to get out safely which is the most important thing and most of the stuff that was lost, while irreplaceable, weren't items that were a necessity. We still don't know what exactly caused the fire in the first place either, an electrical short most have sparked something in the back to start the whole sequence of events but other than that, we don't have much information. The only question that's really left for me to answer is what am I going to do about my anime and video game inventories now. After all, I have the collector's and limited versions of the discs but not the complete package - sometimes I wish I wasn't so organized.

Update: I decided to do an estimate of how much I lost and how much I roughly paid for it - bad idea! I lost over 120 items worth an estimated $5,000! I'm going to go cry in a corner now.

False Advertising

2010-11-29T10:30:00.000-08:00

I find preview trailers to be a great form of advertising in the video game world. Not only do they hype you up for the title but they also shed light on the story, characters, and world that is contained in the game. Lately, I've been noticing that these trailers have been falsely representing the games they are advertising. Take the Star Wars: The Old Republic premiere trailer that was shown at E3 2010. It was gorgeous and exciting, yet everything that was shown in the trailer was not contained in the actual game. The high level of CGI, the fluid movement, even the exciting battles do not look remotely like what it does in the game. There's also the Dragon Age: Origins trailers that I saw not only on the internet but in TV commercials too. I eventually picked up the game and was quite shocked to see that it was a Diablo-esque type game. From the top down camera to the 90s graphics - I felt that I had been led on by the CGI trailers that had misrepresented the game.

Really, is this how games should be portrayed and advertised, with great CGI trailers that don't match the graphical quality of the actual game? Would you be bothered if a movie trailer showed Brad Pitt and then the actual star of the movie was the guy from Harry Potter? At least the trailers for games like Killzone 2 and Final Fantasy XIII were close, in both graphics and gameplay, to presenting what the games were really about. Though I still watch trailers and will be looking forward to some world premieres at the VGAs, I can't help but feel that what I will be seeing will be a far cry from the games I will actually be playing.

The Sounds Of The Sights

2010-11-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

One of the main reasons why I buy collector's and limited editions of games is for the extra bonus of that game's particular soundtrack. Video game scores offer a great accompaniment to its visual counterpart but oftentimes are overlooked for how much they truly affect the emotional experience of the game. From early "bloops" and "bleeps" to fully orchestrated ten hour arrangements - video game music has evolved and continues to develop as an amazing way to add artistic expression to an industry already filled with creativity.

I was once asked by a fellow music student what would be the future of classical music. Would it be in up and coming pianists like Lang Lang who had gained international fame. Would it be from competitions like the one hosted by the Van Cliburn Foundation which brings the best young pianists from around the world. Or would it be from the proliferation of the Asian and East European countries and their affinity for the niche genre of music. I answered that it would be found in composers like Oshima Michiru, Inon Zur, and Uematsu Nobuo - video game music composers. Why? I have never been able to fully discuss the techniques of Chopin or debate who composed the best piano concerto within my own generation (though I'm sure there are many my age who love the classical works) but I have been able to talk about the emotional pull of Ico's "You Were There" or how powerful Dragon Age: Origins' music is. And do I even have to give an example of what Uematsu's work has done in the video game industry? It may not be composed by people in the 17th century but it is a form of classical music with its sweeping arrangements, use of renaissance polyphony, and performed by grand orchestras (or amazing soloists). Video game music has introduced so many young and old gamers to a genre of music they probably had never truly listened to outside of the popular Fur Elise and others. Concerts like Video Games Live has shown how popular and loved these songs are, hosting numerous concerts around the world. I've had the pleasure of attending Play! A Video Game Symphony and being able to hear music from games like Oblivion live with 50 plus instruments and a full choir - exhilarating.

And don't think that video game composers aren't on par with the more classically renowned composers from years past. Just take my favorite, Oshima Michiru. She has worked on many games including Legend of Legaia, Zelda: Twilight Princess, and my personal favorite Ico. She has also composed arguably the best anime score for FullMetal Alchemist and has won numerous awards for her work. While not all of the video game soundtracks I own are of the highest quality, I have been impressed with some of the newer scores that have come out this year. For me, the most surprising was Mafia II's score. Even though the game has a lot of period songs, its original score both fits within the game's theme yet adds a sophisticated artistic layer in both the melody and instruments used. So, next time you pop in a game to play, don't forget to appreciate one of the best things about video games - the music.

You're So Fun

2010-11-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

"You're so fun, my magnetic one" - I can't help but sing along with Freezepop's newest single, "Magnetic" from their Imaginary Friends album that was set to release on November 9th but has been pushed back to December 7th. While I patiently wait for the first album of the newly quartet-ed Freezepop, I've been playing Magnetic almost non-stop since I downloaded it free from Freezepop's homepage. I have to admit that it is very different from past Freezepop songs and for quite a bit of time, I couldn't place what really sounded different. Catchy pop beat? Check. Synth melody? Check. Clever lyrics with an odd topic? Check. So what is so different about it? After playing it along with some of my other Freezepop favorites, I was finally able to put my finger on it - they sound like a real band now!

Not that Freezepop didn't sound great before, but the two new additions (which brought the band from a trio to a quartet) has made a huge difference in the overall quality of the sound. Now it seems much deeper than having two keytars and Liz on vocals. After really examining the song and pulling apart all of the different instrument tracks, I find that this new sound is much fuller, more complex, and definitely more robust in the quality of musicality. Don't get me wrong though, this is the same bubbly Freezepop from yesterdays just with a much richer sound to them. So rich in fact, that it has been a little hard for me to go back to some of their older work, especially their first album, because of the lack of complexity. So, while I anxiously await the arrival of Imaginary Friends, I look forward to hearing a polished but still geeky Freezepop quartet this December. Oh, and one other thing, Magnetic better be in Rock Band 3 because I'm already dying to hit this up on the keyboard and mic.

Thrashers Vs. Sharks Review (Oct. 16, 10)

2010-10-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

As the Bay Area and Northern California ignite with excitement at the San Francisco Giants 2-0 lead in the World Series, and Playoff fever sweeps San Jose as the Earthquakes enter the playoffs - I can't help but hum the song "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" by the Kaiser Chiefs when I think about the Sharks. You just have to look at some of the names in SJ and you realize how stellar a team the Sharks SHOULD be yet every year they seem to fall short of what is expected of them. This year is going to be different though, the team has gotten a taste of the Western Conference Finals and now knows what is truly needed to win the Stanley Cup. So as Sharks fans gathered in front of the HP Pavilion for the street party before the season opener, you could feel the buzz of excitement for the start of a brand new winning season.

The crowd was loud in the Shark Tank, from cheers during the National Anthem to hoots and hollers as each member of the Sharks team was introduced, including a standing ovation and the loudest cheers for Captain Joe Thornton. The boos were just as loud as the Atlanta Thrashers took to the ice. With the referees in position and both teams ready, the puck was dropped and the first home game was underway.

The Sharks quickly pounced on the puck and generated offense with the newly configured lines. The game itself was a little uneven and the pace was back and forth. Both teams looked to be a bit tentative with fast offensive strikes and moments of conservative defensive play. The Thrashers were able to get some great chances as the Sharks defense acted as if it was the first game they have ever played in hockey. Every season there is usually one (or more) players I tend to pick on quite a bit. Ehrhoff (when he was with the Sharks), Vlasic, and now Wallin. With Wallin completely healthy, I was interested in seeing if he could step up his play and prove that he was worth his $750,000 raise. I have to give credit to Wallin, though he looked rusty (as many on both sides did) he played aggressively and consistently. Blocking shots, clearing the crease, standing up on his blue line, breaking up defensive zone passes, and even getting a shot off himself - he surprised me with his solid play and what was even more surprising was that he was not on the ice for any of the goals scored against the Sharks.

As for who would strike first - on the Power Play that reunited the Big 3, Heatley (#15, pictured above) tipped in a shot from Patrick Marleau for his first goal of the season and his 300th career goal - go Heater! Jumbo was also in on the action as Joe Thornton (#19, pictured below) received an assist on Heater's goal, continuing his point streak from the Sweden trip. HP Pavilion was still on their feet cheering as Ryane Clowe and Torrey Mitchell combined for another goal just 21 seconds later. With a great shot by Mitchell, Clowe redirected the puck past Thrashers goalie Chris Mason to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead in the first period - the Tank was rockin'.

Contrary to what I stated in this game's preview, Antero Niittymaki did not make the start, instead Antti Niemi (#31, pictured at top and below) made his debut in San Jose. For the first period, Niemi played well but the start of the second period would change everything. During another SJ Power Play, Marleau mishandled the puck at the point and turned the puck over to Andrew Ladd (of Chicago fame) who scored a short-handed- goal. Niemi gave up another goal late in the second period, one that he should have had - game tied 2-2.

Unfortunately, things didn't change in the third period as the Thrashers were able to score 2 more goals with the Sharks only able to hit the post. With the defense's less than desirable play and Niemi looking very shaky at times, the Sharks weren't able to bounce back and fell 4-2 to the Atlanta Thrashers. With the poor play of the Stanley Cup winning goalie and the lack of offensive might generated by the new lines (Clowe-Pavelski-Mitchell line was the only one that seemed to generate a lot of offensive zone time) had many fans questioning the new look of this San Jose team. Unfortunately, the next game against Carolina didn't help as the Sharks were routed 5-2. They went on to beat Colorado 4-2, Edmonton 6-1, but stumbled against Calgary with a 4-0 loss. An interesting note, Nitty played in the games against Colorado and Edmonton (the games the Sharks won) and Niemi played in the games against Carolina and Calgary (the games the Sharks lost).

While the Sharks seemed to have stumbled out of the gate, there are some good things to take from the first five games of the season. First off is making Jumbo captain was the right move. He has not only lead the team on and off the ice but he also leads the team in scoring. After his late season injury, Dany Heatley is back in fine form and his presence on the ice is always felt when he plays. Clowe has also been impressive, always working hard with and without the puck. Crankshaft Douglas Murray is as big and powerful as ever and the addition of gritty Jamal Mayers has added even more bite to the Sharks. The Big 3 were also united during the Sharks game against New Jersey where they combined to score all 5 goals including Jumbo's impressive 3 goal night, netting himself a hat trick. Even with the Sharks shaky start, I think they will be able to iron out all of their problems fairly quickly. I still have concerns about the reliability of the defense and the fact that Niemi has yet to win since his first win in Sweden has me questioning whether he is ready to help take the Sharks to the next level. Luckily, Nitty seems well prepared to take his place and here's hoping that it's just adjustment problems for Niemi.

End Of An Era

2010-10-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

This week, Sony announced that they were ceasing production of their Walkman portable cassette player in Japan after 30 long years. The device that made music mobile for the first time and has led to the creation of devices like the MP3 player has officially moved into the pages of the history books.

The Walkman holds a special place for it was the first electronic device I owned and it introduced me to my favorite company. It was a hand-me-down from my brother, given to me to help keep me occupied on long car trips - I couldn't have been more than six or seven years old. The device fascinated me, how could such a small device play music? From that moment on, my Walkman went everywhere with me, I would even wear it around the house.

For me, this is what Sony represents, this is what Sony is at its core. After all, Sony came from the words sonus (Latin for sound) and sonny (endearing term for a little boy). Originally created specifically for Morita Akio (pictured above) who wanted something to listen to opera during long flights, the Walkman brought in a new era not only for audio electronics but for the music industry in general. Though I don't have my Walkman anymore, I remember it fondly and still think about it every year since the Walkman and I share the same birthday (July 1). So, I bid the Walkman portable cassette player adieu as I add new music to my Walkman MP3 Player - I guess I still keep my Walkman with me all the time.

The Right To Play

2010-10-13T15:48:00.000-07:00

What began as a little California bill trying to stop the sale of violent video games has exploded to a national case that could affect not only video gamers and entertainment consumers in the United States but worldwide. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will be hearing the case Schwarzenegger v EMA on November 3rd to determine whether video games (and possible indirectly whether other entertainment media) are covered under First Amendment rights. A petition from the Entertainment Consumers Association in support of protecting video games as a form of free speech has already received 500,000 signatures and will be presented at the case. While petitions don't usually win or lose cases, it does show that their is support from the public and that these so called representatives of the people have agendas of their own. Another way to try and gain some publicity and to inform the public was started by the Video Game Voters Network who have been asking gamers to send in broken controllers to Senator Leeland Yee (the creator of the bill) in protest to this unconstitutional ploy to infringe on the First Amendment. I've already sent in my controller and encourage other gamers to get involved not only in this case but in politics in general - no matter what your political party affiliation is. The header above has a link to the PlayStation Blog where Hal Halpin, president of ECA, explains in more detail what this bill is and what it means if passed. VGVN also has a SCOTUS Action Center that has some great information as well. November is approaching soon and I will definitely be keeping my eye on this one.

Update: Game developer Warren Spector is asking gamers to step up on October 19th in what he is calling a day of action. He is asking that gamers use Twitter and Facebook to get out the word about the threat to First Amendment rights. Check out VGVN's Day of Action center for more information.

Update: It's the day after the Supreme Court hearing and it seems like the justices were pretty split down the middle about California's violent video game law. Kotaku had a nice article summing up the events of the day as well as a link to see the full transcript from the case. An actual verdict isn't supposed to come down until next year (before the June 2011 break) so it's going to be a long battle.

Thrashers Vs. Sharks Preview (Oct. 16, 10)

2010-10-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Sharks already have two official games under their belt but this next game will be the biggest one yet. Why? It's opening night at HP Pavilion and I will get the opportunity to attend the Shark's 2010-2011 season home opener. San Jose along with five other teams had the honor of being invited to open the new season at the annual NHL Premiere in Europe. Stockholm, Sweden was the Sharks city of destination where they played back-to-back games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Sharks won the first contest on goals from Torrey Mitchell, Captain Joe Thornton, and Sophomore Logan Couture. The Sharks were defeated in overtime in the second game with Devon Setoguchi and Joe Thornton both scoring.

I can't really preview the home opener against the Thrashers considering that I haven't seen the newly tooled Atlanta team play yet. I do know that they have added a few players from last season's Stanley Cup winner the Chicago Blackhawks and they will be looking to break into the playoffs this year. So instead of my usual commentary on line match-ups and goalie comparisons, let's take a look at what the new season could bring for San Jose.

With the Shark Tank ready to rock and party at both the street party before the game and at the game itself - the Sharks are going to be coming out on the ice with a completely new look. New goalies, new players, new lines, and a new captain all will be making their debut on home ice in San Jose. It was officially announced that Jumbo Joe Thornton would be the next Captain for the San Jose Sharks with Dan Boyle being chosen as the permanent Alternate Captain. As for the other "A", Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau will alternate the "A" with one wearing it for the home games and the other taking the honor for the road games.

The Sharks made a pretty big splash in Europe with their two new goalies, both Finnish natives, Antero Niittymaki (#30, pictured above) and Antti Niemi. Nitty is getting the call for the game against the Thrashers and I'm excited to see him play. Coming from Tampa Bay, a team that the Sharks rarely see, it will be great to get introduced to the new goalie and see what he can really do. Niemi on the other hand, Sharks fans know well from his days with Chicago. He has a great ability to take away the bottom of the net and is strong on controlling rebounds. Everyone assumes that the pair will split the season, with both goalies competing for ice time. Having the ability to rest a tired goalie and keep a hot goalie playing is going to be a key upgrade from previous seasons when Nabokov was the work horse goaltender who was rarely given a break. As for who will come out on top as the number one goalie? It's really a toss-up but I'm putting my early money on Nitty because he seems to be the dark horse that has some great potential. If he doesn't pan out, Niemi has already proven with his Stanley Cup ring that he is quite capable of taking the reins.

There are some new faces (and some not so new) that will be wearing Teal for the home team this season. Most notably are the rookies from Worcester, the Sharks AHL affiliate, who were able to survive the rigorous training camp - tough guy Frazer McLaren (#68, pictured below) and defensive forward John McCarthy (#43, pictured above). Both have already been seen in San Jose but hope to make it up in the big league permanently this season. Defenseman Mike Moore is another player that has been on the Worcester bus but he has yet to play a game and most likely will be kept on the roster in case of injury to the existing six D-men. Jamal Mayers suffered a pre-season injury and also has not hit the ice but when he does recover, it will probably mean that one of the rookies will once again be sent back to Worcester.

All of these new changes aren't as huge or as noticeable as the new line combinations. The Big 3 are no more - Jumbo, Heater, and Patty will be playing on separate lines. This is a huge move that could help to spread scoring more evenly across the lines. As for the rest of the lines:

McGinn-Thornton-Setoguchi
Marleau-Couture-Heatley
Clowe-Pavelski-Mitchell
McLaren-Nichol-McCarthy

Boyle-Murray
Wallin-Vlasic
Huskins-Demers

One of the biggest things that jumped out at me was Jamie McGinn (#64, pictured below) on the top line and Pavelski centering the third line. Usually the top line is your best scoring line, the second line your secondary scoring, and then the third and fourth lines are energy and checking lines. Seeing a top tier player like Pavelski (and Clowe) bumped down to the third line was shocking until I took a closer look and realized that it wasn't really a third line at all. After all, how can you say that a line with Marleau and Heatley, the top two goal scorers, are "secondary scoring". No this is more of a 1A and 1B line-up with Pavelski and Clowe still manning the second line.

Then there's Couture being given the responsibility of centering the 1B line. He did well in his rookie debut last season and this looks to be a breakout year for him with Patty and Heater by his side. Jumbo has some great scorers on his wings as well, especially in Setoguchi who will be looking for a comeback year after an average turnout last season. Ginner will also look to benefit from being on the top line, I pegged him to be one of the players that will get more ice-time and scoring opportunities this season and it looks like I was right. Hopefully, he will be able to make the best of it and prove that he has what it takes to be on the top scoring line. Jumbo is also going to have to shoot the puck more without snipers Patty and Heater by his side and in Europe he did just that, notching a goal a game. Jumbo has a wicked shot but doesn't seem to like to use it, he is quite capable of scoring more than 20 goals this season and with the new lines he might just do that.

For defensive pairings I've got no complaints expect the Wallin-Vlasic combination but maybe it's more of my personal dislike of the two players that has me questioning this match-up. Vlasic used to be a solid D-man until he had his little identity crisis when he didn't know if he was an offensive defenseman or a defensive defenseman. Then after suffering an injury last season, it seemed to take him a few weeks to get back into form. I am hopeful that he will be able to get back into his near perfect defensive position that he once possessed only a few short seasons ago. As for Wallin, he's starting this year healthy so I'll give him a few weeks before I pass my harsh judgment of his abilities and play style. I still feel that the Sharks are lacking a bit of veteran presence on blue-line but Demers has proven that he is a solid offensive D-man if he can just stay consistent.

All in all, it looks to be a good season for the Sharks and only time will tell if they can better their performance from last year. Key changes could be the key factor in how well the Sharks do this season. Their competition is also much stiffer now with a packed Pacific Division. With Phoenix shocking everyone with their playoff run, they will be poised to repeat the feat this season. I mentioned last season that there was a superpower forming in Los Angeles with their young talent gaining much needed experience. This year they look to take the crown from the Sharks as L.A. has been pegged as the heir apparent of the Pacific Division throne. A reformed Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks cannot be counted out either. Plus there are up and coming teams like the Thrashers and Columbus that look to break into the playoffs. Then there is the resurrected Toronto Maple Leafs, who have been one of the worst teams of past seasons, looking to get back into winning form. Last season marked a record for points with a single overtime win clinching a playoff berth or a single loss costing you a chance for the Cup. This season will be no different and every single point will be important for the Sharks and every team looking to earn one of the coveted 16 playoff berths.

As for the coming game against the Atlanta Thrashers, I'm just looking forward to seeing if the Sharks are fully prepared for battle or whether they are stuck in their preseason form. Look for my review in the coming weeks to see how the new players, new goalies, new captain, and new lines fair in their home opener.

Siran's Request Part 3

2010-09-30T17:09:00.001-07:00

Siran’s Response

You think you are cunning
Yet soon you will be running
From the monsters who will feast on your flesh
Weaving you into our mesh

Ten thousand years I hunted
The one thing I have wanted
Humanity’s temptation
Will be my salvation

To survive we must feed
It is a never ending deed
What we do not devour will become
One of our kin, you must succumb

Before I come for you
One thing I still must do
I know the dwelling of your lovely bride
There is no place where she can hide

I will chase after her
The soulless I prefer
The sweet description of your love
Makes me crave your precious dove

She will join our ranks
For that I must give thanks
I will enjoy ripping her limbs apart
Drinking her blood, feasting on her heart

Her bones will break asunder
The crack will sound like thunder
Soon she will find her home in the dark
Bound by the silver mark

Then you we shall come for
No more a little lore
You will see your nightmare is real
Never to escape this ordeal

So live with this in mind
One day soon you will find
That your peace filled happy moment
Will be shattered and filled with torment

You should have just held your tongue
Instead to this dream you clung
You have sealed both of your destinies
Instead of being my keys

Remember the choice you have made
As all your other memories start to fade
Remember you still are my little pawn
Forever serving your mistress Siran

Siran's Request Part 2

2010-09-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Man’s Reply

There is truth in what you spoke
She was gone when I awoke
All that I have left of her now
Is her ring and my vow

She was young and so was I
She was too, too young to die
All I have to do is go back ten years
And erase all of those tears

Beautiful, filled with truth
Vibrant and stunning in her youth
She would have wanted me to move on
Let go of hate and embrace the dawn

You dare prey upon my dream
I now know your evil scheme
You wish me to unleash a nightmare
Something no man should ever dare

A dark beast is what you are
The Pillar’s second scar
Corrupted to your very soul
Stained black, as black as coal

You would feed on all mankind
Thus, you must remain confined
The Silver Gate will hold you fast
Rot in your shackles ‘til time is past

I will not turn back the clock
I will not destroy the lock
Remain trapped away in your cage
That which seals all your hate and rage

You are just a weak fool
Using me as your tool
You expect me to grant your plea
Setting you and your wrath free

Your kind will bear this curse
The shining gates will not disperse
Silver and gold and bronze is your doom
Locking you deep forever in your tomb

You should not have tempted me
I will never agree
Your venomous words have fallen on deaf ears
I have no hatred or fears

You will fade into nothingness
While I will find peace and true happiness
I have chosen the path at my feet
Go back to your cage and wallow in defeat

Siran's Request Part 1

2010-09-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Siran’s Request

Time is ever fleeting
Soon Death you will be meeting
Coming to take you away from this place
Leaving behind, not a trace

Or Death may take another
Your sister or your brother
Pulling them away from your grasp
Never to escape his clasp

Why does Death always steal?
Never allowing us to heal
Robbing us of our happiest day
Reminding us we are all his prey

My son and then my daughter
My husband to the slaughter
Stolen from me by a thief in the night
Taken beyond, far from sight

Your heart has been broken
You need not have spoken
The expression in your eyes
Has brought down your guise

I know what you have lost
I too have paid Death’s cruel cost
Leaving us nothing but hollow strife
Weeping, wasting though our life

But you who is so daring
Yes you, so ever caring
You can rewind the thread of fate
Drawing her back from the gate

For you possess the power
To change that very hour
To save your beloved one
To undo what has been done

Death we cannot offend
It matters not the rules we bend
You deserve to feel her tender caress
Go back in time for the power you possess

Steal back what is rightfully yours
Run through those open doors
Your love is waiting on the other side
All you must do is decide

Choose between happiness and pain
You know what is at stake and what you will gain
Choose between now and the past you have known
To be with her or forever be alone

Beyond The Veil

2010-09-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Beyond The Veil

Far beyond the ensuing day
Lies rolling hills shrouded in grey
Where The Mist tells an ancient tale
Of a cursed place beyond The Veil

Where the land wakes to a barren dawn
And The Ghosts of the past still live on
The sky is dark and deathly pale
In the lifeless Realm beyond The Veil

Those who have not truly died
At the Crimson Gate wait and abide
Only one as lord they hail
Ruler of all beyond The Veil

They are doomed to darkness and despair
This pain, this curse they must bear
Their Souls were consumed by the gale
That enslaves all beyond The Veil

As The Mist starts to disappear
It whispers in my ear
“Do not tread on the blood stained trail
That will lead you beyond The Veil”

“To enter that Realm you will awake
The curse she has set, it will take
The innocent and the frail
And seal them beyond The Veil”

“If you do not choose to heed
And enter The Realm of her steed
You will never cease to fail
Escaping beyond The Veil”

Blast From The Past

2010-09-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music. From opera to metal and everything in between (except country), I listen to a lot of genres including what's popular today. Yet when I was younger, I only listened to Ace of Base, Disney soundtracks, and classical music. My brother was the one into all of those 90s groups like Nirvana, Green Day, and MC Hammer. I couldn't stand them at all when I was little so I find it ironic that the radio stations I listen to play the newly re-popularized Green Day and the timeless hits from Nirvana. One of the few musicians my brother used to listen to that I did like was Alanis Morissette. My favorite song from her was Ironic on her Jagged Little Pill album. Well, a few weeks ago, I was in a store just browsing the music section when I came across that very album and decided to pick it up. I haven't heard anything from Alanis since my brother moved out of the house when I was 10. So, needless to say, I don't remember much of the music but when I popped in that CD, so many memories came flooding back. Even things I didn't realize I remembered like long trips to our family campsite when I would play DJ for my brother while he drove. I have to admit that I really enjoy the CD now and it has me craving a lot of the other tunes from back in the day. After all, my favorite decade has to be the 90s.

The Next Dimension

2010-09-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

A few months ago while in Las Vegas, I had a chance to check out Sony's 3DTV exhibit in the MGM Grand. I had previously been able to see Panasonic's and Samsung's 3DTVs but it was my first time to actually experience video games in this new dimension of viewing. Needless to say, I was pretty impressed. While I don't feel that it will revolutionize games or how we view media for that matter, what I saw exceeded my expectations. The image was clear, the 3D elements looked great, and the quality reminded me of the 3D effects you see at Disneyland. While I couldn't tell much difference among the brands other than I felt Panasonic had better color and depth than Samsung, I found that the glasses the different brands offered really changed my mind on which TV I would get if I bought one.

Unfortunately, both Sony and Samsung seemed to forget that there are people that already have to wear glasses for everyday tasks, like myself. The design from both companies allowed very little room for a second pair of prescription glasses underneath the ones required to view 3D and I found that it was very uncomfortable to wear. Sony's glasses wouldn't even stay straight because of my frames underneath, causing the 3D effect to skew at an angle. Panasonic, incidentally, has a great design for their 3D glasses including a floating nose bridge which pushes the lenses far enough away so they do not scratch the glasses underneath. Even though I'm a die hard Sony fan, this simple consideration and design for people who already wear glasses will have me put my money behind Panasonic if I ever were to pick up on the 3D trend. Ironically, I found out that I can't physically join 3D mania since I am prone to migraines and 3DTVs seem to trigger migraines in people like me. At least I'm saving myself a few grand, right?

What's On Tonight?

2010-09-13T14:40:00.001-07:00

I'm actually not a big TV person. When I do watch TV, I usually catch up on some news or whatever is on the Discovery Channel or the History Channel. But there are a few shows that I get really excited about when September rolls around. Being able to sit down on the same night (or DVR it) and watch the progression of a story can be very enjoyable. While none of the new shows debuting this fall season interest me, a couple of my old favorites are returning once again to a TV near you.

Another project by J. J. Abrams, Fringe follows FBI Agent Olivia Dunham as she investigates a series of strange events known as the Pattern. From mutated animals to viruses that turn your skin clear - there is no limit to the odd and dangerous situations that Dunham finds herself in. Its reminiscent of the X-Files yet you can see a bit of Lost mixed in as well. Mostly dealing with pseudo-science like time travel, mind control, and alternate universes - Fringe is a great fix for my sci-fi geek needs and is presented with a sense of realness that makes the show more compelling. While some of the events are down right ridiculous, Fringe has always been enjoyable and I look forward to see what happens after season 2 ended with one gigantic cliff-hanger.

My favorite show on TV has always been Criminal Minds which follows a fictional department of the FBI known as the Behavioral Analysis Unit or BAU. Their job is to get into the heads of killers and use their profiling skills to track down and arrest them. Most of the episodes are self-contained, making Criminal Minds easy to watch even if you have missed an episode or two yet each episode still highlights one member of the team and helps expand and evolve that character. Unfortunately, this year CBS has decided to get rid of two key members of the BAU. I don't know what they were thinking, Criminal Minds has always had one of the highest ratings for CBS so why they think they must fix something that is not broke is beyond me. Some fans have even gone as far to blame Charlie Sheen for demanding more money to stay with CBS's sitcom Two and a Half Men, resulting in budget shortages among the other shows. Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure but I am definitely disappointed that NBC chose to tinker with an already tight and great cast. Hopefully, this will not ruin my favorite show on TV. With the sixth season set to start, only time will tell if CBS's decision was the right one.

As for what I've been watching this summer, the only show that really caught my attention and kept me watching was ABC's The Gates - another TV show with Vampires. Unlike some of the other shows on, the Gates fills a nice void in the Vampire trend - it's not overly violent or filled with sex like True Blood yet it has a more mature storyline than Vampire Diaries. Taking place in a private community, the Gates follows the new police chief as he learns of what really is lurking inside the Gates. From Vampires and Werewolves to evil witches and ghosts - the Gates actually does a good job blending in all of the common folklore monsters with an interesting and modern setting. With the season finale set to air next week, I'm excited to see what's in store for all the members of the Gates. Unfortunately, ABC is notorious for canceling shows after one season, so I'm hoping that the viewership and fan base will be enough to get the Gates a second season. If it does, I'll gladly travel back to see what happens inside this very dangerous private community.

Reshaping The Sharks Part 3

2010-09-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

Some of the more shocking news during this free agency period was what happened to the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. I mentioned before that they had already let go about a half a dozen of their players due to the salary cap, one of the more shocking cases was goaltender Antti Niemi (pictured above) - a rookie who took the spotlight and catapulted the Hawks to the top of the league. Before he won the cup, he made less than $ 1million but after the win, he felt that he deserved a raise. With no solution in sight, he and Chicago went into arbitration and the NHL Commission awarded Niemi a contract of $2.750 million, an offer that Chicago refused thus releasing Niemi into the free agency pool. Many people criticized Doug Wilson for moving so quickly on Antero Niittymaki, a goalie who has had moments of greatness but has yet to play in more than 40 games a season. After all if Doug Wilson had waited, he could have snagged a proven, cup winning goalie in Niemi. Well, fear not Shark fans, somehow Doug Wilson did just that - Antti Niemi is the newest member of the San Jose Sharks. I was totally floored by the news, having to read the text message a few times before I realized what it was saying. After all, we had a goalie in Niittymaki and many assumed that the position of goalie was all wrapped up. But Wilson saw a great opportunity and somehow managed to find the cap space to offer Niemi a one-year contract. With the tandem of Niemi and Niittymaki, the two natives of Finland have just raised the Sharks chances at a strong shot for the Stanley Cup.

In other news, the Young Prospects tournament in Vancouver started yesterday (09.12.10) with the rookie Sharks taking on the rookies from the Anaheim Ducks. Always an intense rivalry, even in exhibition games, it was the first hockey game I have seen since the Sharks were booted out of the Western Conference Finals and boy was it a welcomed sight. For many players, the tournament is an opportunity to show off their skills and gain the attention of the Sharks staff. If all goes well, they may be invited to the Sharks training camp and even called up to play in the NHL. Some of the names on the ice were familiar: Benn Ferriero, Nick Petrecki, Brandon Mashinter, John McCarthy, Marek Viedensky, and Taylor Doherty have all been seen in teal before but have yet to stay up in the NHL for very long. It was a nice preview of the talent in the Sharks system and a preview of who might actually make it to San Jose. Overall the game was fast and exciting with very strong physical play being a constant theme. The Sharks prospects were able to jump to an early lead in the first and then added three more goals in the second. They kept a 4-0 lead over the Ducks prospects until two 5-3 opportunities for the Ducks broke J. P. Anderson's shut-out bid. The Sharks went on to win 4-1 in their first game of the tournament. An interesting note about the game, J. P. Anderson was invited to camp on a try-out basis, he is actually not a part of the Sharks organization. He is also a right-handed catcher, something exceedingly rare for a goalie. He had great poise on the ice and made all of his saves look easy. Even during a few breakaways, Anderson held his ground well which was impressive considering that he is only 18 years old. With such a great showing, it will be interesting to see if the sharks decide to offer him some sort of deal or not but from what I've seen of him, he definitely deserves the opportunity.

Last but not least is the unresolved issue of the San Jose Sharks' Captain. With the retirement of Blake, once again the position is vacant and many names have been flying around as to who is going to wear the "C". Danny Boyle is a name that has commonly come up for the position. As a strong leader both on and off the ice, I can understand why he is definitely a front runner. Not only that, he has won a Stanley Cup and has the experience needed for the position. Others that have been mentioned are Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe, and Patrick Marleau (who had been the captain prior to Blake taking over). While I can see Boyle wearing the "C", for me I think the position should go to Joe Thornton. It isn't a surprise that after coming from Boston, Jumbo Joe has become the face of the San Jose Sharks. He is a very vocal presence in the media, he is very active with the organization, and he is always leading by example. When Joe plays well, the team plays well. If Joe plays poorly, the team responds poorly as well and that was pretty evident in the Western Conference Finals. For me, Joe has already been the Captain of the San Jose Sharks for a long time now but has yet to really be held accountable for the leadership position. Giving him the "C" will not only send a clear message that he is the one to follow, but will also send a message to Jumbo Joe that he has to step up when the team needs him. Of course it doesn't mean that the other players are off the hook, there are many leaders on a team and the "C" and "A" isn't a requirement to be one. But even so, the position of Captain for the Sharks is an important one that needs to be filled by the right person.

Three Things That Seem To Only Annoy Me

2010-08-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

You know how some things just get to you? It could be the girl in the elevator blowing bubbles with her gum or the guy that is constantly smacking his lips over the telephone. Whatever it is, it is really annoying and most of the time it only seems to be you that's annoyed by it. I have to admit I'm easily annoyed by things or mostly things people do but what puts me over the edge is what people do to my stuff and the things I like. Here are three things that are a sure fire way to annoy me to death.

1. Breaking The Spine - Books are expensive and I am one of those pristine collectors so please don't take it personally when I refuse to lend one of my books to you, I don't even lend books to my mother. I love the way my book collection looks, all nice and neat in its alphabetized by publisher, by genre, and by title, and the way the spines look so crisp . . . but wait! What is that crease? Yes, broken spines for me is just as bad as writing on books (I don't do that either) and it annoys me so much that I have had to stop lending books to people because of it. It was either that or I would have had to replace every book that had a broken spine with a clean, unbroken replacement.

2. Sports Hats - I'm a huge Sharks fan so I understand why fans want to show off their love of the SJS. But when you are the one sitting behind a hat like the one pictured above which adds a foot onto the person's head, you start to get a little annoyed by the over-enthusiasm people can display. I love the Sharks too but please, could you get a normal hat like everyone else?

3. Disrespecting Classical Music - I love classical music and it's a love that is not widely shared in my circle of friends so most can't understand why I get so annoyed when I hear classical music used as background music in a restaurant or hotel lobby. You have to know the context of what classical music is and what it was used for. It's not like the pop songs that have been turned into TV jingles or the latest popular rock song that was used in a blockbuster movie soundtrack. Classical music was in its day the number one source of entertainment. It was not coupled together with some visual medium, unless it was an opera or ballet, and it was given full undivided attention. So I tend to get annoyed and even slightly offended when I hear Rachmaninov at the local Chinese restaurant because you wouldn't go to a Broadway show and read a book nor would you go to an art museum just to eat lunch. So just remember when Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 is playing, please refrain from disrespecting the music.

How Trophies Ruin/Help A Great Game

2010-08-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

The addition of trophies for the PlayStation 3 has sparked quite a bit of debate whether they are worth the effort and why they are so sought after. I've been accused of being a trophy whore because I have two Demon's Souls platinum trophies (hey, my brother likes that game), accused of not being a "true" gamer because I didn't get those plats myself, and losing some gamer cred for plat-ing a kiddy game like Mini Ninjas. Though I don't consider myself a "whore" I do know that type of gamer, the one who rents every game they can get their hands on from movie games like Up to Hannah Montana - yes, they stoop that low and for what? A few digital trophies that only prove you have no life. But there is a plus side to trophies as well. I'm very proud of my $1 billion earned trophy from Mercenaries 2 not just because it took a long time to get but because I was one of the few who wasn't affected by the trophy glitch. Then there's finding all of the 350 Blast Shards in inFamous and I did that all without a guide. While I haven't quite made up my mind about trophies and there affect on games and gamers alike, I can give you some thoughts on two games that I have plat-ed and how earning those trophies affected the overall game experience.

How Trophies Ruin A Great Game: Heavy Rain - David Cage stated to G4TV that, "I would like people to play it once…because that’s life. Life you can only play once…I would like people to have this experience that way." Boy was he right, not only can you play through life once, you really should only play through Heavy Rain once because any more than that and it kills the magic of the game. That quote is exactly why I was surprised that the gold trophy "All Endings" was included in the requirements to earn the platinum for Heavy Rain. Going through all of the endings really poked a bunch of holes in what I considered a great story when I first played through the game. After my third playthrough I found that Heavy Rain wasn't nearly as great at storytelling than I thought and overall the "All Endings" trophy really destroyed my like for this game.

Then there's the hidden trophy "Perfect Crime". I won't tell you what you have to do to get this trophy because it spoils so much of the story and once again ruins a generally great game. Unfortunately, many of the so called trophy whores that I know used an endings guide before they even played the game through once. Most guides recommended getting this trophy first and doing so results in spoiling what should have been a surprising twist to the game's ending.

Overall the Heavy Rain trophies have destroyed what was an interesting and unique game. I'm actually really disappointed that I got the platinum for Heavy Rain because a little virtual trophy is not worth losing all of the good things I felt about the game. Now Heavy Rain has turned into another generic game for me, holding nothing special except a 100% on my trophy list.

Some other games whose trophies ruin the experience are: Buzz: Quiz TV and Prince of Persia.

How Trophies Help A Great Game: Assassin's Creed 2 - Discovering the Assassins' Tombs, upgrading your Stronghold, intercepting a Borgia Courier, or pickpocketing the citizens of Italy - none of these are part of the main quest in Assassin's Creed 2 and most don't even have any benefit yet all are part of the trophies that you need to platinum Assassin's Creed 2 and all of them help to add to this great game. All of the trophies in Assassin's Creed 2 seem to serve a purpose whether it be introducing you to a new style of assassination or having you explore the various weapons that are available. What ever the case, I found myself enjoying the tasks I had to complete to earn the trophy and some even introduced me to techniques that I would not have otherwise known about.

Then there are the 100 feathers scattered around the various districts of Italy. At first I dreaded the search for these feathers but I soon found that the search and the feathers themselves brought you to some of the best sights in the city. From the tall buildings that overlooked canals to exploring every inch of the massive church roof - as I searched for the feathers I was able to explore and experience so much of the detailed world in Assassin's Creed 2.

Overall the Assassin's Creed 2 trophies helped to introduce you to sights, techniques, and areas that you might have missed if you had just played through the game. The Assassin's Creed 2 platinum is one that I truly enjoyed getting as it added to the experience of the game and gave it new depth.

Some other games whose trophies help the experience are: Fallout 3 and inFamous.

Whether you love or hate trophies, the fact is that they are here to stay. Hopefully more developers and publishers will take a cue from Assassin's Creed 2 and make the trophies more meaningful and use them as a way to introduce the little details in a game that might be overlooked and avoid trophies like Heavy Rain's which only hindered the game's flow. As the hunt for trophies continues, hopefully games and gamers alike won't lose the purpose in why we play games - to have fun exploring a new world.

Prepare For The Future, Lone Wanderer

2010-08-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

As I sit with the Fallout 3 Artbook in hand trying to figure out what I want to write, I am still floored by the level of detail in this game's design and overall presentation. That's the keyword for Fallout 3 - detail. The detail of the map, the detail of the buildings, the detail found in every little nook and cranny of the 162+ locations you can discover in the Wastes. Out of all the games I have ever played, nothing compares to the level of detail that Fallout 3 brings.

You are the Lone Wanderer, born on Tuesday, July 13, 2258 to James and Catherine at the Jefferson Memorial. Your father raises you in Vault 101, teaching you basic skills like how to use your Pip-Boy 3000 and Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S.). Then, when you are 19 years old he leaves Vault 101 and you behind - and like any good child, you follow him. What ensues is a journey of discovery, adventure, and violence. You have the choice to travel to a nearby town to find information on your father, answer a distress radio signal, or just explore the wastes. Once you find yourself outside of Vault 101, you can go and do anything you want.

Like all great Bethesda games the tutorial "level", in this case your time in Vault 101, is confined and well controlled. Once you've learned enough about the mechanics of the game, they release you into a very massive world equipped with the bare minimums and expect you to survive. Unlike the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, there are no discovered locations on your map when you begin. While Fallout 3 isn't as large as Oblivion, the fact that you have to travel everywhere on foot makes it feel ten times larger.

One thing that makes Fallout 3 such an amazing adventure is its continuity. With so many main quests, side missions, and places to explore in any order you want - it would be easy to lose the feeling that everything is connected and exists in the same game world. Yet this game world is held together by subtle little details from the Eyebots that spread President Eden's pre-recorded messages across the Wastes to the remnants of companies like Vault-Tec Industries and Nuka Cola. There are also radio stations that broadcast the latest news and music, my favorite has to be Galaxy News Radio 103.8 with its host Three Dog and the great blend of 50s music. The various characters you run into on your journey also weave a tightly spun web of stories and details that help to keep you in the Fallout 3 world.

With so many characters to meet, you will find that a few are willing to even help you on your journey. Some you can buy their help and others will freely offer it after you save them. Each companion character can be controlled through an awkward menu and given orders on how you wish them to fight. I found the companion characters to actually be more of a hindrance than a help. From randomly getting stuck in my house or their refusal to listen to my requests, I felt that the companion characters were unnecessary and ruined the feeling of isolation and solitude that grows as you explore the vast D.C. Wastes. For isolation and solitude are two of the great emotions that Fallout 3 creates as you play through the game. Being the Lone Wanderer in a world that resembles so much of ours yet in a state of disarray and decay is a feeling that makes this game so much more compelling.

While the gameplay is very similar to Oblivion, one major difference is V.A.T.S. and the use of Radiation. V.A.T.S. is similar to "bullet time" as it slows down time and allows you to select certain body parts of an enemy like the head or the leg. At first I thought V.A.T.S. would make the game too easy and take much of the gameplay out of players hands but I soon found that V.A.T.S. is a great gameplay mechanic and a truly enjoyable experience. While there are times it makes the game a bit easy, being able to cripple an enemy's arm to disarm them or shoot their legs to stop them from running adds a layer of strategy not found in Oblivion. Radiation poisoning also adds another layer of depth and replaces the magic level in Oblivion. Drink too much irradiated water or get to close to a "hot spot" and you will soon feel the affects of poisoning which can be cured for a price.

Then there are the moral choices, almost every choice you make can be seen as good or evil. From saving a little boy who is being chased by raiders to killing a Megaton Settler for their weapon. The choice is up to you yet the consequences of that choice will be felt throughout the game. But there is a third choice - you can choose to do nothing. You can let a passing trader save the boy or allow a Mole Rat to maul the Settler to death and then loot his body. The ability to sit back and watch is a welcomed option since many games make you be either good or evil when we just want to be neutral. All of the choices can play for and against you: being too good will make some of the more sketchy characters dislike you, kill too many people and the townsfolk will attack you on sight, and being neutral keeps people from willingly helping you. Again, the choice is yours to do what you please.

With the Game of the Year Edition, the five downloadable add-ons are included. While all of them offer a new environment to explore like Alaska's snow covered mountains or a spaceship floating high above planet Earth - none truly add much to an already extensive game. Actually, I felt that the DLC ruined a bit of Fallout 3's continuity since all the little details that I loved so much were gone. There aren't any billboards or connections to other missions and you can't even listen to the radio while playing through the DLC. While the high level of detail can still be found in the DLC, I found that the continuity that existed throughout the main campaign was lost, making the DLC feel tacked on and loosely attached to the Fallout 3 World.

Fallout 3 is not without its flaws from freezing problems to odd bugs and glitches, just remember to save often and have multiple save files on hand. The most common problem I found was the game freezing while I was in V.A.T.S. and was easily solved with me getting up for a drink or a snack and then returning to find that the game had worked its way through the problem. Another problem was solved by simply not switching weapons or using my Pip-Boy 3000 after I had fast traveled to a location, another task that seems to cause the game to freeze. Also, paying close attention to what I sell or repair helped me to avoid selling or using an item that was meant for a specific mission which the game will let you do on occasion.

Detail and continuity breathe life into what at first appears to be a desolate world. The D.C. Wastes are vast and filled with many lifeless areas yet you will soon find that it only appears that way on the surface. From computer entries to audio recordings from people long since dead, Fallout 3 will slowly suck you into one of the most complete game worlds I have ever been to. A story about the loss of a father makes Fallout 3's story much more personal and compelling than Oblivion's common "save the world" storyline. With more choices and non-choices resembling real life scenarios and the fact that you can't play both sides of the fence also adds a strong emotional component to Fallout 3's world. A truly amazing journey that I have yet to find in any other game, Fallout 3 is an experience that should not be missed.

Qwarktastic Qwest!

Title: Fallout 3 (Game of the Year Edition)
Developer: Bethesda Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
ESRB: Mature
Original Release Date: 10.28.08
Original Platforms: PS3, PC, X360
Re-Release Date: 10.13.09 (Game of the Year Edition)
Re-Release Platforms: PS3, PC, X360 (Game of the Year Edition)

Shockingly Dull

2010-08-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

With a track record like Sucker Punch's, I was very excited about their first game to make it to a next-gen platform. Add in moral choices, parkour, open world gameplay, and electricity - it had me hyped up and expecting a Qwarktastic Qwest.

inFamous is an odd mixture of great ideas, gameplay, with poor character design, and a weak story. It's like eating a delicious cake that is only half baked. When you pop in the game for the first time, there is no menu, no "press start". You see a huge explosion then find yourself in the middle of a giant crater. As your protagonist, Cole, tries to figure out what has just happened, you get your first chance to learn the basics. You soon discover that you have some interesting "side-effects" from the blast - the ability to shoot electricity out of your hands. Soon the city is quarantined and social anarchy sweeps the land with gangs rising up to take control of the little resources left. And you, as the only super-powered dude in town get to save the city . . . or take control of it for yourself. Cool right?

Unfortunately, everything about inFamous seems on the weak side. The moral choices are simplistic, the characters are shallow, and every unlocked city district just looks like a clone of the last one. The only character that I somewhat liked was Cole who was just your average guy ending up in the wrong place. His "friends" on the other hand, I would have killed right off the bat if I could have. Enemies were predictable which made the battles dull. It also became exceedingly tedious when you are just trying to get from one side of town to the other, being constantly attacked felt like I was playing an RPG with its random battles.

One thing I really enjoyed about inFamous was the progression of your character and his powers. Cole starts off just getting familiar with his new found abilities but soon, you'll find that you can do a lot more than just shoot a couple of sparks out. From electric sticky bombs to sliding across power lines - Cole's powers grow to give you variety both in battles and in free roaming the city. They are also "unlocked" at a nice and even pace. You never feel like you have to level up your character to get a new power nor do you get new abilities before you've completely mastered the last one. The down side is that you really only need two or three of these abilities and then you can just skip using the rest.

Graphical glitches, repetitive missions, and dull surroundings ruin most of the good things about this game. inFamous is not a complete failure and I definitely enjoyed my time in Empire City yet this is Sucker Punch we are talking about. I was expecting a fully encompassing game like Uncharted - with a solid story, characters that felt real, and a setting that was both unique and visually stunning. inFamous's strong suit is its gameplay with Cole's abilities both in parkour and electricity. Unfortunately the game is also very easy, even on hard difficulty the game is like taking candy from a baby. With its $30 price tag, I would still recommend picking up inFamous if you haven't already played the game. For all of its flaws, it is still worth having in your collection. With inFamous 2 ready to hit store shelves in 2011, I'm expecting Sucker Punch to really shock me this time. With Naughty Dog, Ubisoft, Insomniac Games, and others using a poor start to launch amazing GotY quality sequels - I am expecting nothing less from an A list team like Sucker Punch.

Drekfully Disappointing!

Title: inFamous
Developer: Sucker Punch
Publisher: SCEA
ESRB: Teen
Original Release Date: 05.26.09
Original Platform: PS3

Reshaping The Sharks Part 2

2010-08-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

With the Sharks top six forwards all coming back next season (Devin Setoguchi signed a one year contract), the only question left is how Wilson and McLellan plan on filling out the last two lines. I mentioned before that the three things on my wish list for the Sharks this year was a solid new goalie, a top four defenseman, and another strong forward. Looks like now all I will be wishing for is that defenseman with the Sharks close to reaching a deal with right winger Jamal Mayers from Calgary. So close in fact that both NHL.com and SJSharks.com already list him with San Jose even though the deal has yet to officially close. While Mayers isn't the 10-15 plus goalscorer that I was expecting, what he doesn't bring in scoring he brings in toughness. A physical defensive forward looks to help replace some of the grit lost with Malhotra.

But the Sharks don't have to look at the free agency pool to find quality players to help round out the Sharks 2010-2011 team. With their affiliate in Worcester, the AHL team has been able to prepare their players to play in the big league. Jamie McGinn and Jason Demers are two notable past Worcester Sharks who have made it onto the San Jose bench. In 08-09 McGinn was one of the many "revolving door" players being sent back and forth from Worcester to San Jose and back again when need be. Worcester is in Massachusetts, literally on the other side of the country and over 3,000 miles away. I can't believe how well McGinn and the others played when you knew they spent the whole day on a plane and didn't even get the chance to practice with the team before the game began. Last season McGinn stayed permanently in San Jose, playing in 59 games and scoring 10 goals. That's pretty impressive considering his fourth line played less that 5 minutes a game.

Defenseman Jason Demers just got a shiny new two year contract with the Sharks after his breakout rookie year last season. He played in 51 games, scored 4 goals, and more impressively assisted on 17 goals. Those numbers tied him in fourth among rookie defensemen for points, ranked him fourth in scoring among Sharks blueliners, and got him the PlayStation Rookie of the Year award. Considering he only played in 51 games, I can't wait to see what he can do with another 31+ games.

Then there's Logan Couture (pictured above) who scored 5 goals in 25 games during his rookie year. He was one of seven soon to be sophomores chosen by NHL.com to have a breakout year next season (you can find the article by clicking the picture above). Pretty high praise for Couture and I'm expecting him to prove them right. While he isn't as fast as forwards like Marleau, he has a great precision that could make him into a pure goalscorer.

If McGinn, Demers, and Couture think that they will automatically get some more ice time next season, they have another thing coming with so many other Worcester Sharks ready to prove themselves at training camp later this August. Some have already been seen in San Jose like Benn Ferriero, Ryan Vesce, and Derek Joslin. Others like Dwight Helminen, T. J. Trevelyan, and Nick Petrecki will be trying to make it up to San Jose for the first time. The Sharks definitely have a lot of up and coming talent both within their current team and from the guys in Worcester. With player run training camps and practices already going on down at Sharks Ice, the competition to earn one of the coveted spots on San Jose's bench will be fierce and fun to watch.

Even with the addition of Antero Niittymaki, there is no guarantee that he will be the starting goalie come October 8th. Last season's back-up goalie Thomas Greiss was already back from vacation and on the ice at the end of July. He knows there is an opportunity to play more this coming season (he only played 16 games in 09-10) and he is bound and determined to prove that he can do it. You also have the goalies from Worcester and the other Sharks affiliates. Tyson Sexsmith (pictured above) and Alex Stalock have already had serious looks from the Sharks staff and will probably turn some heads again. There is even some talk about Thomas Heemskerk and Harri Sateri joining in the fight even though they still play in Europe.

So while I still don't have that top four defenseman I wanted, the Sharks are looking pretty sound up to this point. With some great prospects, this year's training camp looks to be very exciting as the countdown to the start of the 2010-2011 gets underway.

Brand New Day . . .

2010-08-04T12:28:00.000-07:00

Year: Two
Season: Spring
Day: One

Today’s the big day! Celia and I am getting married today but first, I have some other business to attend to. Today marks the one year anniversary of me starting my life here at Hyde Farm. It’s been an amazing journey, I’ve learned a lot and have found that I can survive anything (even a typhoon) if I put my mind to it. Hiei and Miel are both celebrating their first birthday here on the farm. Even on special occasions like today, the farm never lets you take a day off so I hurriedly finished watering the crops, feeding the animals, and making sure everything was in order before I headed towards Vesta’s farm to meet Celia. Before our small ceremony, Vesta had some words for me and took me aside to speak with me. After a good tongue lashing about what would happen if I didn’t take care of Celia, she and I walked back towards the ceremony only to overhear Marlin begging Celia to try and change her mind. His plea seemed to fall on deaf ears and he dashed away towards the beach, not before giving me a glaring look. Vesta gave us some encouraging words, saying that Marlin has always been the moody type. Hopefully, after he cools off, we can still remain friends.

At the reception, everyone from town came to congratulate us and I mean everyone. Tim and Ruby came up and hugged us, expressing how happy they were for our happiness. Griffin brought drinks from the Blue Bar to help us celebrate and Muffy told Celia how lucky she was. Even Romana, Sebastian, and Lumina were there. Romana only had kind words and good advice for us. Sebastian offered to help us if we ever needed it and I thanked him for his generous offer. Lumina seemed to get very upset and ended up running away . . . that’s the second person to do that, I wonder what’s going on. Even Cody, the metal artist, and Daryl, the town’s resident crazy scientist, were there to congratulate us in their own ways. It was great to see all of Forget-Me-Not Valley giving us so much support. After talking with everyone and saying our goodbyes, Celia and I headed back to the farm to get settled in. Takakura met us at the Barn with congratulations of his own. He had attended the ceremony but didn’t attend the reception due to all the work on the farm. He handed us a letter that had been delivered to the farm and we found that it was Van expressing his apologies for not being able to attend and happy wishes for our future. And a happy future is all I can wish for in this coming year.

Time seemed to have moved forward by leaps and bounds. We have a new add-on to the house, making the bedroom big enough for three people because now Celia and I have a daughter named Yuko. She looks so much like Celia with the same color of brown for her hair and eyes. Yuko’s a toddler now and very active, enjoying walking around the farm and exploring the area. Hiei’s seemed to take a very strong liking to her and always keeps a watchful eye on her. A lot of other things have changed in Forget-Me-Not Valley. Nina passed away leaving Galen all alone. It is too sad; she was such a lovely lady. Galen ended up moving down to the open field across from Vesta’s Farm. A bunch of the men from town helped to build him a small house next to Nina’s grave that lay next to the large oak tree there.

A bunch of new people have moved into town as well. Dr. Hardy from the city, who used to come to visit every month, moved into Galen and Nina’s old house. He said that the city’s bustling pace was just too much more him now. A new house was built right next to Chris and Wally’s house and a new family has moved in. I was only able to meet Samantha, her husband and daughter were down by the beach exploring the rest of the town. You could definitely Samantha was from the city, stylishly dressed with her red hair wrapped up in a bun. I gave her a Toy Flower to welcome her to town and she accepted it with a wide smile. I ran into Hugh, Chris and Wally’s son, on my way back towards the farm and my, has he grown. He has gotten quite tall and can now outrun Wally in a race. Before starting the work for the day, I visited Nik, Nak, and Flak up by the North Pond and wish them a happy new year and to thank them for everything. Once I got back to the farm, it was already late in the morning and I had a lot of work to do. Because of the poor financial state of the farm, I had a lot of extra work to do. I quickly planted the Watermelon Seeds I had bought a few days and made sure to water them well.

I let Takakura have the day off; he deserved it after caring for the farm all on his own during the wedding reception. I took Yuko to help me feed the animals; she likes the Chickens but was scared of Miel and the others. I think she just needs to get used to their large size. After everyone was fed and taken care of, I headed up to wish Carter and Flora a happy new year. Once inside the Dig Site, I found that they had cleared a lot of space and it was almost double the size as last year. They had me promise to help them again this year with their excavation. I promised and told them that I would be back once I had the time to help them out. I stopped by Vesta’s as well to visit everyone there. Vesta asked how Celia was doing and I said that she was happy and enjoying life on the farm. I bought some Fertilizer and asked Vesta how Marlin was. She told me that he was still upset and that I probably should avoid him for a little while until he cools off. I took her advice, thanked her for the Fertilizer, and headed back towards the farm. After spreading the Fertilizer over the grass, I took some time to play with Yuko in the kitchen as Celia made dinner. I ended up staying up much later than usual which only means I’m going to have more work to do tomorrow with less time to do them in. Life on the farm never slows down, does it? But with a bright new year ahead of us, I’m glad that it doesn’t.

2010 Holiday Rush Part 2

2010-08-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

The second part of my "Holiday Rush" list is filled with more games than I probably will be able to play. While I am missing a lot of notable games (Medal of Honor, Hot Pursuit, Enslaved, and others) I just had to pass on many of them due to budget and time constraints. Other games have been moved to a "wait and see" list, depending on how reviews go I might go back and clean up some of the games I've missed. But so far, my list is pretty solid with the following rounding out the year.

Fallout New Vegas (10.19.10) - "For your country's sake today, for your sake tomorrow" - I am beyond excited for Fallout New Vegas! Not only is it named after my favorite city in the world but Fallout also features something else I'm really excited about - the NCR. Yes, the New California Republic is one of the major factions in Fallout New Vegas and hopefully I'll be able to join their cause and get one of their nifty flags to fly at my house. I'm pumped and ready to get back into the wastes, this time the wastes of my own backyard, and enjoy the journey ahead.

Time Crisis: Razing Storm (10.19.10) - The first game I thought about when Move was announced was a light gun game and a Time Crisis one at that. Well it looks like I'll be getting my wish as Razing Storm is specifically designed with Move in mind.

Vanquish (10.19.10) - Mikami is at it again with this Casshern inspired game that pits an American in a super-suit against a bunch of Russian robots. With Mikami's unique style, this game is sure to put the third-person shooter genre on its head.

Rock Band 3 (10.26.10) - This is the game I have been waiting for since I played my first plastic guitar. I finally get to put my 19 years of practice and experience to use in a video game as Rock Band 3 adds on the new keyboard peripheral. Pro mode also sounds like a great addition, actually teaching you something while you play. Who said educational games had to be boring?

Sims 3 (10.26.10) - Making its debut on this generation's consoles, Sims 3 for the PC scored great reviews and has been anticipated to do just as well with a controller in hand. Though no solid information has been given about multiplayer, I'm hopeful that they will bring in some co-op action to the Sims world.

L.A. Noire (11.01.10) - With Rockstar's big hit, Red Dead Redemption, still in my PS3 - I'm patiently waiting on more news about their next game - LA Noire. With only one trailer and a few screen shots on their official website, I'm skeptical that this game will actually see the light of day this year. None the less, it's still listed as a November release on most major retailers' websites. Either way, I'm definitely interested in seeing more of this game and what its dark secrets might hold for us.

Gran Turismo 5 (11.2.10) - Can this game look any better? With its promised new additions, GT5 is poised to dominate the racing world once again. Hopefully this time, I'll be able to pass the first license test.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (11.16.10) - At first I was worried that Brotherhood would be DLC content charged at full price, similar to Super Street Fighter IV. But so far, it looks like Brotherhood is going to be as robust as AC2. The multiplayer is also amazingly intuitive, keeping what makes Assassin's Creed unique intact - stalk, chase, strike. I'm definitely looking forward to taking my assassination skills online.

LittleBigPlanet 2 (11.16.10) - With more tools and tricks in its bag, LBP2 looks to open up a whole new chapter in the Play, Create, Share genre. From top-down shooters to RTS games - there seems to be no limit to what you can create in LBP 2. While I doubt I'll join in the creative fun, I definitely will enjoy playing the other creations that will explode across LittleBigPlanet once the game hits this November.

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom (11.23.10) - From the team that made Folklore, Majin looks to bring the similarly unique style back to consoles this November. Sporting some ex-members of Team Ico, I'm curious to see how the AI partnership works out with the Majin. With Enslaved being very similar (at least in regards to the AI partner), it will be interesting to see how Majin fairs when it is released.

Spec Ops: The Line (12.31.10) - While I highly doubt that this game is coming out this holiday, I'm still crossing my fingers that I might be able to play it before the year is out. With its squad-based tactics and interesting use of sand - Spec Ops looks like it might bring something different to the overcrowded shooter genre.

2010 Holiday Rush Part 1

2010-08-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

As summer 2010 started to creep closer and closer, I was actually thinking that the number of holiday releases would be pretty small compared to last year's plethora of games. Yet, after I saw all that E3 had to offer, I found out how wrong I really was. So once again my "Holiday Rush" planning has started earlier than the last year, soon I think this might just be something I do every 6 months. But for now, here's what's on the agenda for this year's holiday rush.

Valkyria Chronicles II (08.31.10) - Unfortunately this year's PSP offerings are much slimmer than last year's, not even enough games to merit a separate list for my portable little buddy. Valkyria Chronicles II will probably be the most in-depth PSP game I'll get this year. With it's Anime stylings and tactical gameplay, this sequel to the PS3 game is said to be just as robust as it's predecessor.

Invizimals (10.12.10) - One of the few PSP games that uses the camera, Invizimals has been out in the rest of the world for quite some time and it's now just finally hitting Stateside. Geared towards a younger audience, Invizimals once again shows off Sony's obsession with augmented reality.

Patapon 3 (11.01.10) - Patapon is an ingenious music game that makes it hard to put your PSP down once you get the "pata, pata, pon" going. I can't wait to see what the third iteration can bring to the table with it's added multiplayer element.

Mafia II (08.24.10) - With only 3 PSP games on my list, it's up to the PS3 to provide me with the majority of my gaming, and it looks like 2010 won't disappoint. Mafia II is my first game for the holiday rush, and while it doesn't look to be a GotY, I'm excited that I'll be able to go back to 50s Americana.

Brunswick Pro Bowling (09.17.10) - With no announcement that High Velocity Bowling is going to get a Move compatibility patch, Brunswick Pro Bowling is my next option. Specifically built for Move, Brunswick is going to bring the serious side of bowling back into video games with its realistic physics and gameplay. Considering that they say it feels and plays like the real thing, it will be interesting to see how well my father does since he is a league bowler.

EyePet (09.17.10) - Another game already out in the world, EyePet is getting revved up to hit the NA territory with its newly added Move capabilities. While I usually say my main reason for getting EyePet is to have some games for Move, in reality I'm getting it because the dog/monkey is cute. I hope my own dog won't get too jealous of my EyePet when I pick it up later this September.

Kung Fu Rider (09.17.10) - Another Move title, Kung Fu Rider looks like Pain mixed with the Office. Zipping down the streets of Hong Kong on an office chair (and who knows what else) is zany and too crazy to pass on.

Spider-man: Shattered Dimensions (09.17.10) - With last year's great Batman game, my hopes for another good superhero game have been raised with Shattered Dimensions. Combining four different Spider-man universes (Amazing, Noir, 2099, and Ultimate) this mash-up of everything Spidey promises to keep true to the comics as well as bring a solid game to the table. I hope that this game can deliver and bring Spider-man back to the good side of video games.

Sports Champions (09.17.10) - Another game to be launched alongside of Move, I'm excited to really get to explore the depth of Move by playing table tennis, archery, and even beating a few people in the coliseum.

The Sly Collection (10.01.10) - While I already have all 3 Sly games on the PS2, I really want to pick up this collection to see Sucker Punch's work in HD plus the addition of 3D, Move support, and trophies doesn't hurt either.

Two Worlds II (10.05.10) - I'm slightly optimistic that this game might not completely suck and may, just maybe might be on par or at least near the level of Oblivion. With so many great things said about the first game there was an equal amount of negative comments, mostly complaining about controls and general gameplay mechanics. Southpeak has stated that they took what the gamers said to heart and worked on fixing all of the major problems while keeping the things gamers liked about Two Worlds intact. With a massive story to co-op and multiplayer - I'm crossing my fingers that Two Worlds II can deliver.

One Truth Prevails

2010-07-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

My favorite Anime series are the ones that came out of the 1990s, before CGI and shallow storylines consumed the industry. One of my favorite series that is still running today, has kept to its old roots with hand drawn work and classic 90s stylings. Detective Conan (or Case Closed as its known in the west) follows Kudo Shinichi, a 17 year old genius detective who learns too much about a mysterious crime syndicate. They force him to drink an experimental poison then they leave Shinichi for dead. But the poison doesn't kill him, instead it transforms him back to his 7 year old self. To keep his friends and family safe, he takes on the persona of Edogawa Conan and once again takes up solving cases.

With almost 70 Manga volumes, over 580 Anime episodes, 14 movies, and 2 live dramas - Detective Conan doesn't seem to have lost any steam with both the Manga and Anime still in production. With such a proliferation of episodes, you would think that Detective Conan would get stale and lose its popularity. While, character designs and storyline start to get a little similar, overall the show has continued to do well being ranked in the top 10 in popularity contests and winning excellence awards.

The thing that I enjoy most about Detective Conan is that the cases that Conan has to solve are all self contained in one or two episodes. You don't even have to watch the cases in order since there are only minor references to previous cases. While the gimmicks and tricks that are used to both commit and solve the crimes can get stale, the twists are fun and interesting enough to keep you guessing. Detective Conan also does quite well in the longer movie format, presenting more complicated cases not found in the 23 minute episodes. Classic 90s Anime at its height, great storytelling, fun characters, and solid whodunit cases make Detective Conan an Anime you can't miss.

Quality Control

2010-07-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

With today's ability to get any information at a lightning fast speed you would think that it would help journalism and the spreading of news, opinions, and information in general. Yet, I find it increasingly difficult to find quality work though the internet, newspapers, magazines, news channels, and other forums that spread information. Even with topics as simple as video games, Anime, and hockey - it feels that journalists, reviewers, and fans have yet to learn how to check their work for quality control.

When I first became a gamer back in the PlayStation era, my house was not connected to the internet, so my options for gaming news were very slim. My only real source at the time was the Official PlayStation Magazine and I relied on it heavily to help me pick the very few games I picked up during my early gaming years. One thing I loved about OPM was the background information you got on all the contributors - you knew who liked RPGs, who predominately played platformers, and who played shooters. Having that information helped to understand where some of the opinions in the reviews and previews came from and made it easy to add weight to the flaws and pluses of a certain game. Even with its many contributors, OPM was always internally consistent, with one person's 5 star rating basically on the same as another person's 5 star rating. Looking at the reincarnation of OPM, I can't help but miss the good ole' days when I actually knew who wrote a certain piece or when two games that shouldn't be on the same level received different scores. Unfortunately, PtoM is nothing like it's predecessor with its inconsistent ratings to the revolving door of contributors and editors coming and leaving. Heck, I can't even name who the editor-in-chief is right now because there have been so many yet I can name everyone from the last year of OPM.

Newtype is the premier magazine to get Anime and Manga news in Japan and its U.S. counterpart was no less superb. Then Newtype U.S.A. decided to break from the traditional and began adding in western movies, books, music, and other pop-culture. Cutting back by half on the information that I wanted and adding in a bunch that I didn't forced me to look elsewhere for my J-News. I quickly turned to Otaku USA and its 6 magazines a year subscription. Like PtoM, you'd think that because I pay for the service, their quality control should be pretty good - wrong. While PtoM's problems can generally be overlooked, Otaku USA is almost worthless as a source of information. I understand that with only 6 magazines a year, some of the information will be old but doing full blown cover pieces on an Anime that wasn't even released in this century? If they want to talk about some of the older works, they should put it in a special column dedicated to the Anime of the past, not take up precious space to tell me things I already know about Anime I already own. While PtoM seems to be filled with an overabundance of opinion in their reviews, Otaku USA is the opposite. Mostly a summary of the plot, the reviewers don't even give you basic information like age rating, number of discs, release date, and publisher - opinion and constructive praise and criticism are barely existent as well. Once my subscription is over, it's goodbye Otaku USA.

If the "professionals" can't give you the information, why not go to those dedicated fans that know all the ins and outs. NHL's official website links a lot of articles from various sources including Bleacher Report and even has their work listed as feature articles. So, of course I popped over there to check out the latest news and opinions straight from the fans. While I understand not everything a fan writes will be of the utmost quality, I was at least expecting the featured columnists and their articles to be held to a higher standard than the other writers on the site. I quickly found out that this was not true after reading several articles and opinion pieces. One contributor in general had me scratching my head as to how he formed his opinions. He was especially harsh on Nabokov and he used his own professional hockey experience to add to his thoughts. After reading many other fans disagreeing with the opinion presented, I later found out that this featured columnist was only 18 and his professional hockey experience was from his 2 months of college hockey (not even NCAA mind you). I'm not one for age discrimination, heck a great comic series called Axe Cop is written by a 5 year old, but I was shocked to see someone make such harsh criticisms of an elite NHL player just by comparing his own experiences in college. Needless to say, I have been very disappointed with the overall selection that Bleacher Report makes for their featured columns.

Personal blogs, letters to the editor, and comments are all ways for us to express ourselves fully and freely. Yet when it comes to professional and semi-professional informational sites, I expect their to be a little more quality control presented in the work posted. From reviews constructed with merited praise and criticism to opinion articles that are based on facts and not fiction - with the flood of information that is at are fingertips, just make sure that you know who it's coming from because you are the only one who can maintain your own quality control.

Three Things I Love About Las Vegas

2010-07-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

I got back from my trip to Las Vegas, Nevada a few weeks ago and I still can't get over how much I wish I didn't have to come back home. I have always loved Vegas, ever since I was a kid I have always just enjoyed that city so much. Even though this was my 7th time there (and the first time that I was actually legal to gamble) it still was just as fun and exciting as my first time. It's kind of hard to really say what makes me love Las Vegas so much but I do have some favorites that always keep me wanting to go back for more.

1. The Shows - No place on earth has shows like Las Vegas. It's like a mix of the best of Broadway with the total immersion of theme parks like Disneyland, the shows in Vegas are a complete experience. Take Phantom - the Las Vegas Spectacular, one of the shows I saw on this visit. Situated deep within the Venetian, the entire theater is built to resemble a classic Parisian opera house, from the seats to the stage, even the carpeting and lightning fit the look and mood perfectly. Because in Vegas, the theaters are built specifically for the shows they house, from KA's steampunk aura to the Blue Man Group's zany comedy - once you entire the theater's lobby, it's like you've been transported to another place and time. Going to see a show in Vegas is a must for anyone looking to be treated to a brand new experience.

2. Las Vegas Area - Okay, so this might not be on most people's top 3 list of why they love Las Vegas but it is sure on mine. Surrounded by an expansive, and I mean expansive desert, Las Vegas is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. One of my favorite things about visiting Las Vegas is the drive into the city. Miles and miles, hours and hours of nothing but flat desert and Joshua trees. I grew up in the high desert and have always loved it, I can't stand seeing tall green trees, grass, and plants - like the area I live in now. Nope, the only trees I like are Joshua trees, a cool form of cacti that only grow in the Sierras and down to Death Valley. Coupled with temperatures that easily get up to 118 - the desert, heat, and lack of green stuff make Las Vegas one of my favorite places on earth.

3. Walking the Strip - If you haven't been to Las Vegas before let me warn you about something - the traffic is horrendous! Luckily, Las Vegas is a city designed for the pedestrian and it is truly in its best form when viewed from the sidewalks. When you walk with thousands of people up and down the strip, not only do you get to see some of the greatest gems Las Vegas has to offer (like the dancing fountains at the Bellagio) but you also get to experience Las Vegas' unique "vibe". It's both exciting and relaxed at the same time and Las Vegas is a city where everything is happening and nothing is happening at the same time. When you take to the streets in Las Vegas you can choose to see and do as much as you want and you will never get bored. From shopping to people watching, make sure to give yourself enough time to just go out and explore Las Vegas thoroughly.

Reshaping The Sharks Part 1

2010-07-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Even though the hockey season is officially over, there has been a lot of action and news this summer with both the NHL Draft and Free Agency deadline only a few days apart. The Edmonton Oilers selected Taylor Hall as the 1st overall draft pick. Ilya Kovalchuck, one of the best goal scorers was rumored to be joining the Los Angeles Kings (something I was not looking forward to) until he was offered a 17 year contract with his current team the New Jersey Devils. If that doesn't sound crazy enough, the NHL Deputy Commissioner stated today that the contract was rejected so they are back to square one. The Stanley Cup Champions have also had some major changes happen to their team, after finally winning the cup and ending a 49 year drought (the longest in the NHL) they had to let go of several of their top players including Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, and Kris Versteeg. Worse yet, they have yet to sign their goalie Antti Niemi to a contract and with the salary cap, they might not be able to make a worthy offer that would keep Niemi in Chicago.

And what of the Sharks? General Manager Doug Wilson kept busy as usual doing some solid work this summer. Most notably was their 8 draft picks including a 1st round pick which they used to acquire Charlie Coyle, the Rookie of the Year in the Eastern Junior Hockey League. While the newly drafted players won't be seen in Teal for a while, there are a few Sharks regulars that won't be returning to Teal next year either. I mentioned earlier that Sharks Captain Rob Blake announced his retirement, an unfortunate loss for the Sharks but a great move for Blake. I'm glad to see him leave the league after such a great season though he will be greatly missed in San Jose for his great shot, strong defensive play, winning experience, and most of all his leadership on and off the ice. Not only does this leave the Sharks without one of their best top 4 defensemen but also means that the Sharks will have their 3rd captain in 3 years.

Others that won't be returning to San Jose are Brad Staubitz who was traded to Minnesota, Manny Malhotra who went to Vancouver, and Evgeni Nabokov who will be returning to Russia to play hockey. Malhotra's loss will definitely be felt by the Sharks but unfortunately it was a matter of money and with Manny's great play last season, a lot of teams were looking to grab him. As for Nabokov, it was also a money issue in that the Sharks didn't have the cap space to keep him as well as the other players they needed to offer new contracts to.

To fill the role that Manny left behind, Doug Wilson re-signed Scott Nichol to a 1 year deal. While Nichol might not have scored as many goals as Malhotra, he definitely is up to the task to fulfill the other roles that Manny did. Not only is Nichol a great energy player who has a lot of grit, he is also an excellent faceoff guy. With Manny now in Vancouver, I expect to see a lot more ice time for Scott this next season and I can't wait to see them go head to head when the Sharks meet the Vancouver Canucks for their 4 game regular season matchups. Goalscorers Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski were also re-signed for 4 years, both Patty and Joe have never played for any other team except the Sharks, so it's great that they will be staying in Teal for at least 4 more years.

Some other noteworthy keepers are Niclas Wallin and Jay Leach. Not only do I totally disagree with Wilson's choice but I can't believe that he even gave Wallin a $775,000 raise! Wallin is 35, a slow skater, does not produce offensively even an ounce, and has yet to prove that he's worth the money. Not only is he not an aggressive defensemen but he doesn't even challenge opponents in his own zone, he lets them skate on by and take the shot. I do not understand Wilson's thinking at all. I will give Wilson credit for trying to get a strong defensemen in Hjalmarsson from Chicago. Unfortunately, Chicago made a counter offer so the Sharks lost out. I'm sure that Wilson is still hunting for another defensemen and maybe even another forward.

Other than the Wallin snafoo (and I'm not too thrilled about Leach either), Wilson has done a pretty good job in making a solid looking Sharks team - re-signing top forwards like Marleau and getting rid of some expensive players like Nabokov which only leaves a few holes in the Defensemen department. As for Nabokov's replacement, Wilson went after Silver Medalist, and MVP of the 2006 Olympic Hockey Tournament Antero Niittymaki, previously of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Number 30 also played in the 2010 Olympics representing his native Finland as well as playing in the World Champions and World Junior Champions. He was drafted by the Flyers in 1998 and played with their AHL affiliate the Phantoms were he won the Calder Cup (their version of the Stanley Cup) and Playoff MVP. While his numbers aren't stellar, Niittymaki is a solid and competitive goalie, he is even known to play with everything he has in scrimmage games. And while he doesn't have much NHL Playoff experience, he's proven that he can compete and win when push comes to shove. Considering that Tampa Bay is one of the worst teams in the league (and it's not because of Niittymaki), it will be interesting to see what his numbers look like when he has one of the best defensive teams put in front of him.

There is a lot more to discuss about the Sharks and the players that we might see next season in Teal. With the development camp already underway, I'm sure there will be some rookie additions to the Sharks lineup as well as a few more free agents coming to San Jose. The 2010-2011 season will be the 20th anniversary of the San Jose Sharks and I'm looking forward to a great and glorious season.

You And Me (We Go Together)

2010-06-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

You And Me (We Go Together)

You and me
We go together like
Ham and cheese
We go together like
Bacon and eggs
That’s why you like me

I and you
We go together like
Crackers and soup
We go together like
Thighs and legs
That’s why I like you

I like you and you like me
It’s so very very plain to see
You like me and I like you
We’ll never ever be blue

You and me
We go together like
Coffee and cream
We go together like
Salsa and chips
That’s why you like me

I and you
We go together like
Cornbread and stew
We go together like
Chicken and dip
That’s why I like you

You like me and I like you
There is nothing that we can’t do
I like you and you like me
We’re the perfect futari

You and me
We go together like
I and you
We together like
A pair of two
That’s just how it’s gotta be
I with You
And you with me

Monty The Lawman

2010-06-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Note: This is what happens when you play too much Red Dead Redemption, overly obsessed with your dog, and have way too much time on your hands.

Monty the Lawman

The wild wild West
Is a very rugged place
Even the best
Get dirt thrown in their face

The one who keeps the law
And turns wrong into right
With a golden gun in paw
And a badge gleaming bright

Monty the lawman
Rides into town
Monty the lawman
Gunnin’ baddies down

Rustlers hate his gun
Bandits cower in fear
Thieves turn and run
When the lawman comes near

His paws move like lightning
His eyes are sharp as swords
Your ears will be ringing
As his bullets rip through hoards

Monty the lawman
Can lasso anything
Monty the lawman
Quick draw dueling king

In a game of chance
The gamblers try to cheat
But the lawman keeps his stance
And knocks them off their feet

Liar’s Dice he always wins
Blackjack he hits the mark
Saloons, cantinas, and inns
He’s known as a card shark

Monty the lawman
With a cunning gamblin’ hand
Monty the lawman
Best poker face in the land

The townsfolk all adore him
They call him friend and pal
He gets free lace and trim
A bed and a corral

He’s civil with civilians
And children know he’s good
‘Cause he takes out all the villains
And saves their livelihood

Monty the lawman
With his trusty steed
Monty the lawman
And his dark bay named Good Deed

When someone’s in danger
The lawman will appear
Helping any stranger
In the vast frontier

He saves them from the noose
As he rides in on his horse
Cutting the innocent loose
As Good Deed stays his course

Monty the lawman
Assisting all who call
Monty the lawman
Never backing down from a brawl

With a bounty on your head
The lawman will hunt you
Just be smart or you’ll be dead
Take the justice that’s been due

If you surrender quietly
You’ll just be hogtied
But if you react violently
A coffin will be supplied

Monty the lawman
Works for no coin or buck
Monty the lawman
Stopping bandits run amok

He is the greatest hunter
Of the rogues in the hills
His horse is as fast as thunder
He has the fiercest gun skills

So remember this tale
Of the best lawman around
Don’t drink too much ale
And to the golden rule be bound

Monty the lawman
Legend of the plain
Monty the lawman
Filled with honor and fame

Thoughts From E3 2010 - Sony Press Conference

2010-06-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

I turned into a giddy schoolgirl who had 20 double shot espressos about an hour before Sony's E3 2010 press conference began. This was the day I was waiting for, what has become a national holiday on my calendar. It was Christmas, New Year's, and my birthday all rolled into one and I was hyped, beyond hyped. Once my heartbeat stopped ringing in my ears, the sound of music started, and PSPs began falling from the sky - I was able to sit down, get my notebook ready, and watched the one thing I have been waiting for all year - Sony at its best.

Two things I really love about Sony press conferences - they have great montage videos and they have a lot of executive support. Now, I know everyone has montage videos but I've always felt that Sony is able to choose the perfect music, the perfect clips, and the perfect pace to a video. Ubisoft's soft rock and euro pop really didn't set the mood properly but Sony's energizing rock beats helped set up a great presentation. And I love seeing Jack Tretton and Kaz Hirai but it was great and most deserving that Peter Dille also got the spotlight because if it wasn't for him, the PS3 would not be where it is today. That man is a genius and he should be given a really big trophy. This year's conference had a lot of focuses: 3D, Move, PSN+, IP expansions, and a lot more. To truly analyze all that happened, I'm going to be basically moving down each point as they were presented at the press conference.

Killzone 3 - When Killzone 2 was released and I had the chance to play the game, I was shocked at its graphical beauty and appalled by its horrid controls and lackluster gameplay. So, when news of Killzone 3 started to hit the web, I wasn't interested at all - until they showed a live demo. It looks tighter, cleaner, and overall just more engrossing than the previous game. And who does not like jetpacks? I am actually kind of excited about this game and I'm looking forward to seeing what a truly experienced Guerrilla Games can do with the PS3 this time around.

3D Gaming - I have been adamantly against 3D gaming from the start. New TV, glasses, no HD, headaches, have to sit directly in front of the TV, and the fact that your eyes will probably explode out of your head after 2 hours are the reasons why I think 3D is a fad . . . until they totally sucked me in with Gran Turismo 5 in 3D. Yes, GT5 people! I don't care about Killzone 3 in 3D, Crysis 2, Ghost Recon, Sly Cooper Collection, Mortal Kombat, MotorStorm: Apocalypse, or EyePet . . . but GT 5 is the one and only game that has me totally sucked into the idea. I have always felt that racing games are the genre were 3D gaming could thrive. In my gut, I thought GT5 was far enough along that they wouldn't be able to add 3D support, I was wrong and now I'm thinking it wouldn't be that expensive to get a small 3D TV . . . you know a 17" or something. I still believe 3D is not the way to go but the idea of seeing all those glorious cars and tracks in 3D really has my interest peaked.

PlayStation Move - With a date set (wow, Europe is actually getting something first) and a pretty reasonable entry price ($50 for the Move, $100 for the bundle), Sony came out with the one-two punch to counter Nintendo and get the step up on Microsoft. While, I'm not overly excited about Move, I have always felt that if the precision was there, it could be a great push for the PS3 to get into the casual game market. After seeing Socom 4 running with Move, I started to see that Sony wasn't going after just the casual market and were looking for a more robust experience. The live demos at this event were no different. From magic wands to golf clubs, Sony was able to show off some great gameplay that we have never seen before. I have to admit Sorcery (pictured above) was the game I was most interested in. The idea of using Move just like a wand and summoning spells up has me really excited. I know a lot of people don't like the glowing ball but I actually think it's kind of cool that it changed color to match which spell you selected. I had the problem in Oblivion of using the wrong spell because the icons were too similar. Now, the Move will actually tell you visually what spell you have selected, I think that's a great, little intuitive addition that could become pretty useful.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 was also shown and I'm excited to hit the course with the Move and see what it's like to really swing the club instead of flicking an analog stick. I know a lot of gamers are really questioning the longevity of motion controllers but I do think Sony is going in the right direction with the great combination of lighter games to more hardcore games. Plus, the pricing point is a lot lower than I originally anticipated which will help bring more people into the fold. And then there's Heroes on the Move, a smash up of Ratchet, Jak, Sly, and their sidekicks - who doesn't want to play that? Oh, and there's Time Crisis, need I say more?

Sony also announced a partnership with Coca-Cola to advertise Move as well as do a big giveaway program. If people are saying that Sony is only reacting, I think they should really look at what Peter Dille and his team are coming up with. It's a great "move" that will help expand the saturation point for Sony's ad campaign while partnering with a very strong and positive brand that is not really associated with gaming. Oh, and the appearance by the VP of Everything PlayStation was an awesome touch. I love you KB!

PSP Games - Sony switched gears and talked about the PSP and I am excited to report that there is no new model coming out anytime soon cause I'm already going to be broke as it is with Move, Rock Band 3 Pro, GT 5 3D, and everything else that was announced at E3. I was a little disappointed that we didn't see some more substantial support for the PSP. Yes, they said 70 titles by December of this year, but they didn't show anything new. I found out about Patapon 3 (pictured above) from a tweet by a show attendee - why wasn't this in Sony's mash up? And the fact that they pushed Invizimals which has been out in PAL already as a "new" game made the shunning of Patapon 3 even worse.

LittleBigPlanet 2 - You can make an RTS game in LBP2! That's all you need to know.

PSN+ - Then they moved onto the PSN with the announcement of PSN+ which I'm pretty excited about. The pricing, $50 for a year or $18 for three months, is very reasonable and considering that Qore is bundled with it ($25 for a year by itself) made the idea even better. Only thing that has me raising an eyebrow is the fact that if you stop the subscription, you lose all of the free content they give you as part of the program. While they didn't give specifics on what you would get, it sounds like access to early betas and demos, free content, discounts, and an auto download feature makes it appealing to the hardcore PSN consumer. It also hits later this month, so you'll soon be able to check it out with Sony's offering of three months free.

PSN Games - If you are wondering what game that beautiful screenshot above is from, blame Sony for totally keeping PSN gamers in the dark about what could possibly be the best PSN game ever! Yes, I mean "ever" because it is from thatgamecompany, the guys that brought you Fl0w and Flower and it's called Journey. I have no clue why this wasn't in a montage, a demo, or even mentioned at all by Sony when they were on stage. Actually very little was mentioned about PSN games and content. I would have totally taken less Move or less Killzone 3 to just get a screenshot of this game. Seriously Sony, I am a little upset at you for keeping this from me.

EA Partnership - Everyone always screams about exclusive content and Sony always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to 3rd party exclusives so I was really surprised about the plans Sony and EA have to counter this epidemic. Starting with Medal of Honor and a limited edition that includes a HD remastered version of Frontline just for the PS3. They are also doing a limited edition for Dead Space 2 that will include a Move version of Extraction just for the PS3. They also have exclusive content for 2K's Mafia 2 and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Yeah, I think that's a little better than getting map packs early.

Portal 2 - I can die now! Well, after I play the game of course but in all honesty when I saw Gabe Newell walk out on stage I thought that it was some kind of practical joke. So, hearing the announcement that Portal 2 is not only going to be on the PS3 but it is also going to be Steam enabled - wow Sony, I applaud you for doing what I thought was impossible.

Gran Turismo 5 - November 2, 2010 "Out drifting, please come back later"

InFamous 2 - Am I the only one that's slightly bothered by Cole's new look? I mean, it's not a minor makeover, he's a brand new character. Other than that, I love the feel that the early footage has shown from his new powers to the new city. I just don't like the new hairdoo, that's all.

Twisted Metal - Jaffe is back and his game looks better than ever. A franchise that was truly the face of PlayStation years ago is back where it belongs, on next gen hardware. I was never a huge Twisted Metal fan but I have to admit the multiplayer mode Nuke that they showed has me really excited about the game. Just the depth and the shear complexity mixed with total vehicular mayhem has me foaming at the mouth. And if the picture at the top didn't give you a big enough hint, there are going to be choppers in this game too!

Overall, I was pretty impressed with Sony's performance, especially the surprises that were actually surprising. Portal 2 just blew me away, I had completely given up on ever playing that game and now I'm going to get what Valve says is the best console version. There was truly something for everyone at this event and I feel Sony is going to have another strong year. I do wish they showed more from the PSN and PSP side of things but I understand that with their limited time they really wanted to push 3D and Move. Now all that's really left is to make up my wish list and figure out how I'm going to pay for all of this.

HTC Incredible From Verizon

2010-06-16T15:43:00.000-07:00

When the iPhone came out and I got my hands on it, I truly thought that it was the apex in smart phone technology - boy was I wrong. I am the proud owner of a new HTC Incredible from Verizon Wireless, a phone that relies on the amazing power of Android. Those commercials do not lie, the shear ability to do what you want with the phone has it beating the iPhone hands down. I can make it run the way I want, look the way I want, and do everything that I've always wanted to do with a phone.

I won't get into too much details about apps and what not since most are pretty standard but one huge misconception about Android powered phones is that you can't use your apps and programs while using an open line. Almost every single program I have (except for a couple of web based games) work while I'm talking to someone. The 8Gb of internal space have me basking in the glow of games, random apps, and other useful and useless junk. An 8MP camera gives me high quality pics and its 3.7" touch screen lets me see them in beautiful clarity. It's fast, it's slick, and I'm in complete control unlike the limitations that Apple has put on the iPhone.

The only complaints I have about the phone are actually pretty minor. There is no built in music alarm which I found odd. I was able to get an app that fixes that problem so I can wake up to Keane. When you turn your phone to silent, it doesn't silent everything like apps so you have to be aware of that when you start playing a shooter game at an office meeting. The battery doesn't last very long either but that could be because I'm watching non-stop E3 coverage through its fast web browser. I have to admit that my Incredible has been glued to my hand since I got it. Linking my contacts to their facebook profile, checking email instantly, the latest updates from all the video game news sources, youtube, restaurant slot machine, poking moles, practicing my Japanese and Spanish skills, and basically anything else you can think of - the HTC Incredible can do. At $199.99 with a 3 year contract, it is well worth the price. And if you don't want to spend that much, Motorola's Droid works just as well and is a few bucks cheaper. Overall, Android is amazing and I would definitely recommend this hands down over the iPhone. I am the only friend with an Android phone and I've actually got the majority of them to switch carriers just because of how much more you can do with the HTC Incredible. Ooh! I just got an update from GameSpot, there's going to be a limited edition of Gran Turismo 5! I got to go check this out on my Incredible!

The Kings Have Been Crowned

2010-06-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

I'm sure from the lack of Teal in the picture above as well as the lack of hockey blogging as of late, that you already realize by now that my beloved San Jose Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup. I had actually planned to continue my game coverage of the Western Conference Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks (pictured above) but after the first game, I thought it would be a waste of time so I waited for game 2, and then game 3, and by the time game 4 was over - so was the WCF and the Sharks season. Yes, the Sharks were felled in 4 games, not winning a single game against the Hawks who would go on to take the Cup in 6 games against Philly. As for the games themselves, they weren't horrible losses and the games were a lot closer than the scores revealed. But the quality of play just didn't merit me writing about it. And I still can't quite put my finger on it, why the games felt as static as they did. Was it because the Sharks didn't use their full potential or was it because Chicago was just the better team. The games were fast and the action was there, but it felt like I was watching a regular season game almost. With so much passion being put on the ice during the series against Detroit, this series felt empty. Even the story lines that showed up in this series weren't that great. Yes, Niemi was great in goal for the Hawks and Marleau finding the net was beautiful. But overall, it was just a very hollow experience.

I can probably blame a few players on the Sharks defeat but overall the team play wasn't there. Though I am disappointed, I can't be totally upset with San Jose because they did find a way to make it all the way to the Conference Finals as well as beat one of their biggest adversaries in the Detroit Red Wings. Now that the season is over, General Manager Doug Wilson's work begins. Free agency starts on July 1 (another reason for me to celebrate) which means that everyone who's contract is about to expire has to accept an offer from the Sharks (if they get one) by this date or they can move on to another team. While there are a lot of players up for grabs, I'll go over some of the key keeps and drops I feel the Sharks should make.

Joe Pavelski (#8) - I'll give you an easy one to start off. Pavs scored 9 goals and 8 assists, carrying the San Jose Sharks through two rounds in the playoffs. He had 3 game winning goals including goals that forced overtime and won in overtime. Joe is a restricted free agent which means another team can make an offer on him but the Sharks have the opportunity to counter that offer. I don't see Wilson letting go of #8 anytime soon.

Evgeni Nabokov (#20) - This may surprise to you but I say that Doug Wilson should cut Nabby loose. Nabokov is an unrestricted free agent which means that if he doesn't get a contract after July 1, he is no longer a Shark. While I can't deny his stellar regular season play, putting three back-to-back 40 win seasons - he has not been able to step up his game with consistency in the playoffs. One big problem I see with Nabby is that he knows he is the #1 goalie for the Sharks. If you look at some of the great young goalies in the league like Anderson (Colorado), Niemi (Chicago), and Leighton (Philadelphia) they all had to fight for that starting position. Leighton was the back-up goalie to the back-up goalie! He wasn't even on the bench during games yet he was able to come out and take the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals and put up one major fight against Chicago, whose goaltender also had to fight for his position. The pressure from the guy behind you that might take your spot is an important part of hockey. You see it with even top guys like Marleau and Heatley, who are dropped down to the secondary lines while a guy that's hot (like the young Logan Couture) gets the opportunity to play on the top scoring line. It should be no different for the goalie and because Nabokov doesn't have the need to fight for his position, I truly wonder if he will ever be able to come out in the playoffs with his A game. Greiss is a strong back-up goalie, but the Sharks need to make a move for someone who is an up and coming goaltender who will fight every night for that W.

Patrick Marleau (#12) - Patty is an unrestricted free agent, in the same boat as Nabby but I think and know Doug should keep him. One major reason is that Patty is the face of the San Jose Sharks. If he was gone, it would be like going to Disneyland and not seeing Mickey. And Patty has given the Sharks everything they have asked of him. After his worse season ever in professionals (even worse than his junior career), Patty came back with a vengeance, scoring a record high 38 goals. After the Sharks shocking round 1 loss in the playoffs, Marleau's captaincy was taken away and huge speculations of a trade were swirling around the hockey world. Then when Wilson magically got one of the top scorers in Heatley without having to trade Marleau, talk of Patty's trade died down and shifted to how was he going to perform now that the C was no longer on his sweater. Apparently the loss of the extra weight from the felt "C" did wonders because Marleau scored 44 goals in the regular season (the first time he has ever scored over 40) and 8 goals in the playoffs (just one behind Pavelski). That's not even the half of it, Marleau has always been criticized for his play without the puck but this season his play has been phenomenal from great defensive plays and big hits to winning board battles and keeping on his man - Patty's game has reached a new level, one that should prove that he is an integral part of the San Jose franchise.

Rob Blake (#4), Niclas Wallin (#7), & Jay Leach (#28) - All three defensemen are unrestricted free agents that should be let go. I've always felt that San Jose's biggest weakness is with their D-Men. Just like with the forwards, you have your top 2 scoring lines, you have what is known as the top 4 defensemen. They are supposed to be big, defensively sound but they also need to be able to move the puck well, start plays, and offer the big blast from the point. Dan Boyle is your puck mover and play maker, Douglas Murray is your sound defensemen, Rob Blake is your big shot from the point, and . . . well they are kind of missing a truly sound 4th defensemen. Vlasic could have been that man but with the last two seasons, I truly doubt that now. As for the three I mentioned, I don't want the Sharks to get rid of Rob Blake but at 40 years old, I think he is going to retire. He is already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, he has a Stanley Cup ring, and is considered one of the best defensemen in the entire league. I'd rather see Blakey go out on top while he is still playing well than stay in the league a few more years and have his game deteriorate.

That being said, the Sharks are really hurting for the one thing they need the most, a strong defensemen who can shoot the puck well. That's why they brought Blake over in the first place. While Murray could become that with practice, the Sharks need to build a better and stronger defensive core. Wallin and Leach were brought in for some added depth and in case of injuries to the other defensemen but I haven't been impressed with them at all. During the Chicago series, coach McLellan played seven defensemen (one more than usual) switching off Wallin and rookie Demers. I think Demers even as a rookie has some stronger values than Wallin who just seemed lost on the ice most of the time. Huskins was a big surprise this season since he was a no show due to a broken foot last season. It took him a while to get his game up but once he did, he became a pretty solid defensemen and even got involved in the offensive zone. Keeping the D-core I mentioned, I think the Sharks need to make a move for a strong and active D-man to replace Blake and to fully round out the Sharks back end players. Even two new D-guys would be great but to do that, they need to drop some of the dead weight they've been carrying around this season.

Devin Setoguchi (#16) & Brad Staubitz (#59) - Both restricted free agents, I think the Sharks need to drop Staubitz. Filling in a grinder style of role (which Malhotra and Nichol fill also) he has gotten the Sharks into more trouble than any other player I've ever seen. So much so, that he hasn't played since the early part of the season. He's big, likes to fight, and has rocks for brains - cut him loose now. As for Seto, I have mixed feelings about Seto. On one side he's a great goal scorer and his play without the puck has gotten better. On the other hand, you have rookies like Couture that have scored with more consistency for the Sharks than Seto. Being a part of the key second line, I think the Sharks can find someone better than Setoguchi in scoring and in overall play. I will give Seto this, when he gets into a scoring slump, he does everything he can think of to break it. Shaving his head, changing gear, nothing is off the table - and it usually works. If he stays or goes, I'll be okay with the idea because I know Wilson is going to do what is best for the team.

Manny Malhotra (#27), Scott Nichol (#21), & Jed Ortmeyer (#41) - The three newest players to the Sharks were all brought in to add some grit, energy, and to strengthen the third and fourth lines. They also brought some killer offensive with Malhotra scoring 14 goals, Nichol scoring 4, and Ortmeyer scoring 8. Malhotra is also the faceoff king which became a key part in the series win against Detroit. Nichol also isn't shabby at the dot, almost tying Malhotra on faceoff win percentage. All three are unrestricted free agents and are up for grabs. I will be shocked if Doug Wilson lets go of Manny Malhotra, he has been such a key part of the Sharks even though he wasn't brought in for that. Yes, we knew he was good at faceoffs and we knew he played with some jump but no one was expecting him to get 14 goals this season. That's just one behind Dan Boyle! Manny is a keeper. As for Scotty and Jed, I love them both and if it were my team would definitely keep Nichol, but I'm not quite sure if the Sharks need both of them or even either of them. With such a strong showing from the rookies of Worcester, the open slots are limited and a lot of guys are going to have to compete for these slots. I'm hoping they stay, especially Nichol, but I wouldn't be surprised if Wilson decides to cut them loose.

Overall, I love the current San Jose Sharks team but feel that major changes need to be made in respect to goaltending and defense. I'm curious to see if any of my predictions come true and what Doug Wilson has in store for San Jose. From what happened last year (almost 20 players were cut loose) I'm sure that he is going to do everything in his power to make San Jose a cup winning team. July 1st is almost around the corner and I'm getting stoked again about the San Jose Sharks and the 2010-2011 season.

Update: It's official, the Sharks captain Rob Blake is retiring after 20 years in the league. This definitive defensemen will be remembered for his powerful shot, strong defensive zone coverage, and will soon find himself in the hockey Hall of Fame. As for the Sharks, once again they will have to choose a second captain in only two seasons. Doug Wilson will also have to find a way to fill the large hole that Blake is going to leave in San Jose. Blake has always been my favorite defensemen so it's going to be hard to watch the game without him. Good luck Blake and I'm sure I'll still see you around the league!

Thoughts From E3 2010 - Press Conferences

2010-06-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

E3 2010 is still alive and kicking down south but I thought it would be best to write my initial thoughts down before my head explodes from the shear amount of news, gameplay, and surprises that have been revealed thus far. While I want to go a little more in depth about my thoughts on some specific games, for now, I thought I'd put into words my opinion about the press conferences that were presented this year at E3.

Microsoft - I will admit that I did not watch MS's full press conference and yes I am a Sony fangirl, so this will be bias, but hey at least I warned you ahead of time. The big thing about MS this year at E3 is why did they split up their press conference and do an event just for Kinect and why did they have acrobats at that event? You would have thought that they would have used their limited time wisely to show everything they could about Kinect and its features. Out of all the motion control gameplay that I've seen so far from the Big 3 (and I'm not talking about Marleau, Thornton, and Heatley), I think Kinect is the weakest. They are using tech that we've had since the EyeToy, gameplay isn't very compelling, and it seems to be targeted at a much younger audience. But I will say this about Kinect, the futuristic navigation of the 360 is probably the best and coolest feature of Kinect and is the most innovative out of the Big 3.

As for the games, Gears of War 3 looked great and the addition of 4 player co-op will add much needed strategical depth to the game. I also like the mutated look of the Locust, since I always thought that the original enemy design was a bit lacking. Their live demo of Call of Duty: Black Ops ran smoothly and seeing Metal Gear Solid: Rising was a great addition. Though I thought that their exclusive deal (if you can really call it that) with Activision and Call of Duty was a bit weak. Wow, you get map packs early, yay! Overall, what I saw was a bit lackluster with Fable III being the only game that made me go, "Ooh, I want that!" I have to say with so much focus on Kinect, I'm surprised they didn't have a stronger line up of games as well as a price. I could only see it as being great for those gamers who want to do Yoga or other fitness games. As for some more "hardcore" games, I think Mad Catz still sells those racing wheels.

Electronic Arts - With their press conference opening to the sound of engines and squealing tires, I knew that we would be seeing another Need for Speed game, what I didn't know is that it would be done by the geniuses behind Burnout Paradise - Criterion. The live demo for Hot Pursuit actually got me pretty excited about the NFS franchise again and what you could do with the Cops vs. Racers element. Dead Space 2 also made a live appearance as well as a 24 player live match in Medal of Honor. I'll be talking about Medal of Honor later but I will say this, Call of Duty, you better watch your back. An interesting thing about the live demos was that they were all running on PS3s and later at the Sony press conference, I found out why. Overall, I think EA actually had a great show with some great games for almost everyone. Their fitness game, Active 2 even showed some greater depth than I've seen in other fitness games. With a new loyalty rewards program, Gun Club, and new EA Partnerships - EA's new year is looking pretty good. And I will say that my attitude about EA has changed quite a bit from thinking that they were only out there for the money (which in a way they are) and would milk all of their franchises dry. With their partnerships with Insomniac, Respawn, and Epic - they are actually allowing the developers to own the rights to their IPs, giving them full control over their creations. I got to give EA credit for that, they have the power and the resources to absorb these companies yet they are playing nice and I think it's going to pay dividends in the end.

Ubisoft - Why, oh, why did you waste my time once again Ubisoft? You make such great premier games like the Tom Clancy franchise and Assassin's Creed, yet you come out with the slogan "Games you can Feel." I knew right then and there that this was going to go downhill very quickly. The only things that were truly exciting about this press conference were the live demos of AC: Brotherhood and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Both look spectacular and left me wanting more, oh so much more. Then, things just got weird. Shaun White came out to plug his new skateboarding game and the odd banter between him and host Joel McHale was painfully awkward and the jokes were horrible. The game itself has some interesting features but not strong enough to pull me away from Skate 3. Then, it just got worse with a bunch of people running around playing laser tag in the audience. I thought that this was a lead up to Ghost Recon or maybe (I was praying for) an announcement for another Tom Clancy game like Rainbow Six but I found out that it was actually to push laser tag. Yes, Ubisoft is coming out with an actual laser tag game called Battle Tag. The "unique" thing about Battle Tag is the fact that game scores will be uploaded to a website that you can manage. Apparently, Ubisoft hasn't been in a Target lately because about 20 versions of this game exist with the online component already in place.

If you thought that was weird, wait until you see Innergy which uses a sensor on your finger to monitor your pulse. Then, the game directs you to follow this weird fishy looking creature and control it with your breathing . . . yes, breathing. Breathing in and out slowly not only relaxes you but in Ubisoft's eyes makes a fun game as well. Then I was treated to Your Shape, the new fitness game that is going to use Kinect. Not only is exercising kind of boring in general, it's definitely not fun to watch someone else do it either. And the lag that you saw from Kinect didn't help the case for this fitness game. Though Ubisoft did end it with some random dancers dancing to Michael Jackson (which I'm assuming is going to be turned into a dance game for the Wii or Kinect) overall I felt like this press conference once again was a waste of time. I get that Ubisoft wants to hop on the train of fitness, green, and holistic games but I also think they forgot who was in their audience. Ubisoft left me utterly dazed and confused on its strategy and place in the gaming industry. Considering that they are one of my favorite video game producers, I'm a little worried about what's to come. I just have to remember to think of happy thoughts, "think of Ghost Recon, think of Ghost Recon."

Nintendo - as with Microsoft, I did not see Nintendo's press conference in full, though I did see a lot more of it than I did with MS. If I was a Nintendo fan, I would easily say that it was the best press conference of the show. Since I'm not, I kind of say that Nintendo and Sony tied, why? The problem that I've always had with Nintendo is that if I'm not a fangirl they have nothing to offer me. At least with MS, there are games on the 360 that I want to play (Splinter Cell *sob*) and if I could afford another console, I probably would get a 360. But Nintendo only seems to cater to their fans and to casual gamers. That's why I have to give some credit to Sony for reaching across the aisle and saying to non-Sony fans, "Hey, we have games that you'll like too." I'm sure it was great to see old franchises like Goldeneye and Donkey Kong come back (I have a lot of friends who grew up on those games and still play them) but for me who wasn't involved in that movement, it kind of goes over my head. It also has me wondering if Nintendo has hit a sort of creative wall. Because motion control is their main form of input, are they running out of ideas and ways to turn it into a compelling game? Even with the 3DS, everything looks to be ports of N64 games and revamps of older DS games. Though, I will give Nintendo this, if anyone can take 3 franchises and continue to pop out games for eternity without ever doing something new, it's Nintendo. They're IPs are the strongest in the industry and the most recognizable.

Nintendo did bring some new stuff out like Epic Mickey, the only game that really caught my attention. It looks great and the fact that you can create and erase everything from a level is amazing. A true Wii built Zelda game has also been the talk of the town. I'm very interested to see how gamers react after they get the chance to put 4+ hours into it and how well they will like using motion control for the game. Overall, Nintendo did steal the show and is king of E3. But as a Nintendo outsider, they still haven't given me a true reason to run out and pick up their console that is relatively cheap and would be easy for me to do.

Update: Apparently Mad Catz isn't making a racing wheel for the 360 anymore. Whether it was Microsoft forcing the cancellation or Mad Catz just wanting to focus on plastic instruments, it looks like hardcore racing fans will have to have Kinect if they want to use something other than their controller.

Now I Really Never Have To Leave Home

2010-06-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Sony has given me another reason to become the ultimate indoorsman and ignore the warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor summer fun. Why? Because they brought Netflix to the PS3, that's why. Streaming unlimited movies and TV shows directly to your PS3 is like an addiction. New movies, old TV shows, classics you've never seen - they are all there and it takes less than 30 seconds to start the show. I was surprised at the quality of the picture, expecting to see a slightly smoother version of youtube pirated movies, but a lot of the movies, especially on the ones in HD, look almost as good as the DVD versions. Netflix is also pretty good about adding new shows and movies almost weekly, keeping you glued to your couch. The only downfall is having to use the streaming disc which isn't too much of a pain since you already have to put a disc in to watch a DVD or BRD movie. I would love to see Netflix permanently placed on the XMB soon though. For $8.99 a month for unlimited streaming (and that includes being able to get a physical disc from Netflix's larger library) I feel like I'm a pirate. It's an absolute steal and well worth the price. Now, what should I watch next?

When History Meets Fantasy

2010-06-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

I'm an old school SRPGer, growing up on classics like Shining Force with its great turn-based style of play. So when I saw that Level 5 was going to turn back the clock and make a SRPG for the PSP, I couldn't wait to pick it up. Then things kind of happened, some great PS3 games completely buried Level 5's PSP exclusive and it took me 2 years to finally pop Jeanne d'Arc in and play it.

I have to say that Jeanne d'Arc is the only game that made me completely ignore my PS3. I usually only play my PSP on trips, when the power is out, or any other time when the TV my PS3 is connected to is occupied. So I was quite shocked when I found myself addicted to Level 5's creation, completely forgetting about PS3 titles like Assassin's Creed 2, Uncharted 2, and others - Jeanne d'Arc is that great. I never thought it could happen but the PSP actually has a Qwarktastic Qwest.

Jeanne d'Arc follows Jeanne (or Joan as we Westerners know her) from her home town in Domremy all the way to the heart of the Hundred Years' War. Historically, the game has you battling through Orleans, protecting Charles VII, and his coronation at Reims. Other than that, Level 5 takes some extreme yet interesting liberties with Jeanne d'Arc. One is the divine armor that you find early in the game. It, along with several others, adds in some great strategical depth to the straightforward turn-based battles. Another fun and deep mechanic is the ability to use skill stones which you can buy or earn from defeating enemies. Plop them into the set amount of slots for a character and you can give them all kinds of abilities like special attacks, magical powers, or something as simple as an extra move square. Later in the game, you can start making your own by combining lesser skill stones into more powerful ones. My favorite happens to be the Sky Dart, allowing your archers to attack any enemy on the field. Another fun feature is a kind of chain combo called Aura. Attack an enemy and an Aura ring will appear behind them. By placing another character in the Aura ring and then attacking will give them an attack and defense bonus.

Graphically, its one of the best looking PSP games out there and the cut scenes themselves are worth playing through the game. With a distinctive anime flare to them, they usually run a few minutes long but include a lot of key story development. The english voiceover isn't too bad though I would have preferred the option to keep the original Japanese voice cast. I wonder though, if they had to speak with a fake French accent too. While the game is a bit short (I think I beat it in a couple of days), there are plenty of opportunities to break from the storyline and complete some fun and strategically challenging battles that when completed, give you some nice rewards in the form of weapons and other powerups. I found that farming and grinding was actually a lot more fun than usual as well. Not only are the special moves fun to watch but the added lotto element of hoping to get some good skill stones make it worth replaying old battles. You can also find hidden loot around the battle map, as long as you are close enough to see it.

Overall, Jeanne d'Arc is the best PSP game and one of the best RPG games I've played in a while. With the disappointment of White Knight Chronicles, I've found myself still picking up my PSP and getting in some good 'ole SRPG action. If you don't have this game in your collection and you have a PSP, you should run out right now and pick this up. If you don't have a PSP, hey they are pretty cheap now so you have no excuse not to play this game. Jeanne d'Arc is classic RPG goodness at its finest.

Qwarktastic Qwest!

Title: Jeanne d'Arc
Developer: Level 5
Publisher: SCEA
ESRB: Teen
Original Release Date: 08.21.07
Original Platform: PSP

Closing Down The Shop

2010-05-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

It seems that one of my favorite industries has taken a big hit from the economic downturn that has befallen the world. CMX Manga (a subdivision of DC Comics) and Go Comi! have decided to close shop later this summer as a result of falling manga sales. While I haven't dealt too much with Go Comi!, I've enjoyed what CMX Manga was able to bring to the table. Overall, the quality of their work was one of the better in the manga world and I will definitely miss their unique line of manga. The smaller publishers haven't been the only ones affected as both Tokyopop and Viz have had to increase their prices. Tokyopop went as far to change the quality of their paper to something that resembles a recycled newspaper. This caused quite a commotion among avid readers and has since forced Tokyopop to return to a higher quality paper. Viz also made some drastic changes by laying off 40% of its employees and closing its New York City branch. Coupled with the fact that many Manga-ka have decided not to allow their works to be published in the west, I have to wonder what the future of the manga industry is going to look like in a few years.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Game 5

2010-05-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

The Sharks were back home at the Tank, ready to face the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5. A win here would result in the end of the Wings season and the advancement of the Sharks to the Western Conference Finals, a place they have only been once before. HP Pavilion was packed and rocking, with the fans ready to celebrate a win. Even with the pre-game interviews during warm ups, the crowd was deafening.

As the puck was dropped and the game got under way, you could tell that there was excitement and some jitters from both teams. The play was even between the two teams, with Detroit getting some quality ice time in the Sharks' zone. The early tests on Nabokov showed that he had indeed bounced back and was fully prepared this time around. The all around defense was also better as gaining the blue line and entering the offensive zone proved to be difficult for both teams. When the Sharks did get their chance, it was the combination of Patrick Marleau (#12, pictured at above) and Joe Thornton (#19, pictured below) who almost put the Sharks up by one. With a nifty pass from behind the net, Patty found Joe near the net and Jumbo was able to beat Howard but not the post. The game would remain scoreless after 20 minutes, the first time in the series that a goal was not scored during a period.

As the second period started, both teams now had their skates underneath them and the game began to pick up its pace. As the Red Wings entered the Sharks zone and were able to cycle the puck up to defensemen Brian Rafalski who fired a blazer passed a screened Nabokov: 1-0 Red Wings. Less than 3 minutes later, Jumbo Joe won an offensive zone faceoff by shear will and was able to pass it back to the point where Jason Demers was waiting. He fired a quick shot that Howard was able to stop but he let out a juicy rebound that Dany Heatley quickly passed to Joe Thornton. With a nifty little toe drag, Jumbo was able to gain some space and beat Howard for the game tying goal (play pictured below): 1-1 Sharks.

Unfortunately, that was the only good news for the Sharks in the second period, which has been their worst frame throughout the playoffs. They were guilty of taking three penalties which resulted in some amazing chances for Detroit, but Nabokov stood his ground and was able to come up big when his team needed him. The Sharks were also able to go on the Power Play twice in the middle frame, but were completely shut down by the newly reorganized PK unit for Detroit. The grittiness from Game 4 carried over with Jumbo, Patty, Nichol, and Douglas "Crankshaft" Murray hitting anyone in red. Detroit also repaid the Sharks with checks from their own big guys including Bertuzzi and Franzen. Neither team could get the go-ahead goal and after 20 minutes, the game remained tied.

With the start of the third period, the Sharks were able to gain some offensive momentum after they started staying out of the penalty box. Pavelski was able to bust through the Red Wings' zone on a breakaway but was handcuffed by the back checking Red Wing defense. The result of which was a penalty shot awarded to Pavelski. Usually, a dynamite scorer in the shoot out, Pavelski had the prime opportunity to put the Sharks in the lead, early in the third. As he made his way towards Howard, he tried to fake the shot and freeze Howard, but the Red Wing goalie stood his ground. Pavelski tried to go top shelf but ended up firing the puck up and over the net. The game would remain tied. Thirteen minutes in the third period, the Red Wings won a defensize zone faceoff and send the puck around the boards. A big hit by Heatley, freed up the puck and Jumbo found Marleau all alone in the slot. With one slick pass, Joe put it on Patty's stick and Marleau wristed a shot passed a sprawling Howard (play pictured above). Patty celebrated on one knee (pictured at top) as the Sharks were now ahead by one: 2-1 Sharks.

The game wasn't over yet though as the Red Wings pulled Howard for the extra attacker late in the game and then Dan Boyle was called for holding with over a minute left to play, resulting in a 6-4 advantage for the Wings. There were mad scrambles for the puck as bodies collided with each other. Nabokov came up big again with some key saves and the PK unit for the Sharks did a great job by keeping the Wings on the perimeter of the zone. With only two seconds left in the period, the Sharks were able to clear the zone. As the fog horn sounded, the Sharks had won Game 5 by 2-1 and had defeated the Red Wings 4-1, guaranteeing a spot in the Western Conference Finals.

Finally, the Sharks had beat a nemesis that they haven't been able to beat since the 90s. The Detroit Red Wings were the proverbial kings of the Western Conference and the Sharks were able to finally dethrone them. The Sharks will get some much needed rest as they wait to see who comes out alive in the Chicago Blackhawks versus the Vancouver Canucks series that has Chicago leading 3-2 but Game 6 in Vancouver. Again, the Sharks are familiar with both teams and will be well prepared to take on whoever makes it out. The Sharks are one step closer to earning Lord Stanley's Cup and putting to bed all of those years of playoff failure. Bring on the Western Conference Finals!

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Game 4

2010-05-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Sharks were once again at the Joe Louis Arena with the chance to sweep the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. But the Wings and their fans weren't about to let that happen as they had the Sharks seeing red - a lot of red.

There is not much I can say about the game itself because for one, I didn't get a chance to watch but the last 2 minutes because of the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Montreal Canadians game that was on before it. Secondly, the score speaks for itself - Nabokov allowed 5 goals on 9 shots in the first period and was replaced by backup netminder Thomas Greiss in the second period. The Red Wings would go on to score two more goals, one in the second and another in the third. Franzen, "the Mule," scored a natural hat trick (3 goals in one game) plus an additional goal. Bertuzzi, Filppula, and Rafalski were the other goal scorers. The Sharks were spanked with a 7-1 loss, having many in the hockey world wondering if the "chokers" were back.

Not everything that happened in Game 4 was negative and even though this massive beating that the Sharks received from the Red Wings has the Bay Area once again reeling at the idea of another playoff loss, there still is high hope that the Sharks can finally put to bed their unsuccessful playoff history.

Evgeni Nabokov - While his total meltdown that resulted in a 5 goal deficit in 20 minutes was reminiscent of his Olympic performance, it wasn't all Nabby's fault this time around. Some of the goals he let in, should have been stopped but overall, it was the defensive play of the entire team that was missing. No one on the ice for the Sharks were doing their job and with the Red Wings facing elimination, the Sharks should have been more prepared to meet a very desperate team that has talent on all four lines. One thing to remember is that before this game (which resulted in a .899 save percentage), Nabokov had the best save percentage in the league and that after his poor performance in Game 3 against the Avs, Nabokov was stellar throughout the rest of the series. Nabokov can and should bounce back with a top notch game that will help the Sharks put down the Red Wings and their playoff history once and for all.

Thomas Greiss - The backup goalie for the Sharks doesn't get to play often and hasn't played at all in the playoffs. I've always questioned Greiss' abilities as a clinch player and someone who can come up big when needed. This was a great game to see what he could do and he was strong, probably the best player for the Sharks. With little support from the rest of the 5 Sharks on the ice, Greiss only allowed two goals while stopping some of the best scorers in the league - all at the Joe with 20 thousand screaming Red Wings' fans. I have to admit, from the replays I've seen, I was impressed with his performance and now I'm not as worried about the (knock on wood) unfortunate situation that could have Greiss back in the net during these playoffs.

The Big 3 - While most of the Sharks looked like they weren't ready or willing to play Game 4, the Big 3, especially Joe Thornton weren't about to allow the Red Wings an easy win. Jumbo was checking, fighting, and trying to set the tone that back in San Jose things weren't going to play out the same way. It might seem futile to work hard when your losing by such a wide margin but grinding the other team with hits and checks sends the message that you aren't about to be pushed around and walked on top of. A big complaint from last year's early exit was the Sharks lack of grit against the Ducks, basically allowing them to walk away with the wins and not forcing them to work for it. This time, the Sharks responded the way a hockey team should, punish the other guys as much as possible, no matter the score. Another plus for the Big 3 is that the lone San Jose goal that broke Howard's shutout bid was from Dany Heatley on a Power Play in the second period.

My first initial thought when I saw the score was to panic and think "it's happening again!" but then I realized that this is a different team and this loss could just be what the doctored ordered. The Sharks still had their 3-1 lead over the Red Wings and the jolt of such a massive loss might be enough to spark a bit of a killer instinct in the Sharks who need to return the favor of a dominating performance to close out the series. The Wings on the other hand, still has to win two more games in a row to force Game 7 if they have any chance to moving on. Oh, and did I mention Game 5 is back in San Jose which was recently voted the toughest building to play in by NHL players in a Sports Illustrated pole? If Nabokov bounces back, if the Big 3 keep hitting the back of the net, if the D get their act together, and if the whole team can get that bite and grind mentality into their heads - this series will be over in five games. If the Sharks lose this game, I think Detroit has a great chance of forcing a Game 7, because there is no way they are losing at home again. Only two teams have ever come back from a 3 game deficit to win a playoff series, let's hope it stays that way.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Game 3

2010-05-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

The San Jose Sharks took the long flight from the Bay Area to Detroit, Michigan for Games 3 and 4 at the Joe Louis Arena. After going 2-0 at home, the Sharks knew that they were up for a challenge as the Detroit Red Wings would fight hard at home. Dan Boyle stated, "this is going to be their best game, their best start" - and boy was he right. Detroit was ready to put out 120% effort to keep the Sharks from gaining the stranglehold 3-0 lead and putting them in the position of elimination.

As expected, the Red Wings came out hungry for blood and took no time in dominating the play. The Sharks were able to push back with a great play by Manny Malhotra that left him helmetless and open in the slot, but Howard got his stick down in time to stop the puck from going in. The rebound found its way to Red Wing Dan Cleary who pushed into the Sharks zone on a breakaway but Nabokov was up to the challenge and was able to stop the shot. Half way through the first period, it would seem that Detroit got on the scoreboard first as Filppula passed the puck to Henrik Zetterberg (pictured above). Fortunately for the Sharks, the puck went off the skate of Zetterberg and the play was then reviewed by the guys at the Situation Room in Toronto who watches all of the live feeds from all of the games in the NHL. Using the three broadcasts of Game 3 (the local broadcast for Detroit, the Sharks broadcast, and Canada's broadcast), they were able to determine that a distinct kicking motion was made - no goal. Less than 4 minutes after the washed out goal, Detroit made one count when Lidstrom cycled behind the net and passed the puck to Franzen who was hanging around the stick side of Evgeni Nabokov (#20, pictured above). In an instant, Franzen shot it at the net, where the brick wall known as Tomas Holmstrom was planted once again in the crease, tapped it passed Nabokov (play pictured at top): 1-0 Red Wings.

With a little more than three minutes left to play in the first, the Red Wings were dominating the Sharks zone once again. A great move by Todd Bertuzzi found him all alone with the puck. He jetted behind the net and tried a wrap around move on Nabokov but Nabby was able to get his stick down, yet he could not freeze the puck. In a desperate effort, as the Wings crashed the net, Logan couture tried to push the puck under Nabokov but the referee ruled that he had covered the puck with his hand, resulting in a penalty shot for Detroit. The Joe exploded as the fans cheered on Zetterberg, who was chosen to take the penalty shot. He had threatened to score all night and this was a prime opportunity to put the Sharks down 2-0 early in the game. He came in fast on his forehand and faked the shot, which froze Nabokov, and then he went back hand and tried to lift it passed Nabokov - but Nabby, who has one of the best glove hands, robbed Zetterberg and kept it a 1-0 game (play pictured above). But the Red Wings weren't done yet, at 18:37 Dan Cleary once again found himself all alone in the slot with the puck and buried it passed Nabokov: 2-0 Red Wings. The Sharks pushed back even though the period was almost over and they would play until the buzzer sounded. With Setoguchi, Pavelski, and Clowe out on the ice, they battled for an opportunity to cut the deficit in half. Clowe was able to win the battle on the boards and send the puck to Pavelski, who was behind the net. He quickly threw the puck up the slot, hoping to find a Sharks player - and he did. Setoguchi gathered the puck, turned towards the net, and beat Howard glove side with four seconds left in the first: 2-1 Red Wings.

The start of the second found Detroit in control of the puck and in the Sharks zone. On a bad angle shot, Zetterberg snapped the puck towards the net, it hit defensemen Murray's stick and bounced past Nabokov, regaining the Red Wings two goal lead. Zetterberg had finally scored after being robbed twice before: 3-1 Red Wings. The rest of the second period found the Sharks having to kill off an all important penalty as Detroit threatened to put the Sharks into a hole they could not climb out of. Yet the hard work of the PK unit and Nabokov kept the Sharks within striking distance. The Sharks also had their chances on the Power Play, yet the disciplined Red Wing PK unit was not the same they had seen in San Jose, resulting in no Power Play goals for the Sharks.

The Sharks found themselves on the Power Play early in the third as the Big 3 took the ice. Joe Thornton (#19, pictured 2nd from bottom), Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau (#12, pictured above) all threatened to convert on the PP but Howard stood tall and kept the Sharks off the scoreboard. Finally, with a little more than half of the third left, Jumbo Joe won an offensive zone faceoff and powered his way through the Red Wing defense. He circled behind the net and found space near the crease. Then, he just willed the puck passed Howard for a great individual effort goal: 3-2 Red Wings. The Big 3 weren't finished yet as another faceoff win in the Detroit zone had both Heatley and Marleau streaking towards the net. A shot from Boyle found its way through the fray in front of Howard but the Red Wing goalie was able to get a stick on it. The rebound shot out to the slot where Heater was waiting to bury it home. Howard would not allow Heatley to score and again found the puck and made the save. Another rebound ensued and this time it was Patty who got a stick on it but Howard was up to the task and with the help of his D-men, the Red Wings were able to clear the zone.

The Sharks were able to make another great effort to score the game tying goal and force overtime when Pavelski was left all alone near the left faceoff circle. Boyle was able to make an amazing cross ice pass which was perfectly placed so Pavelski could take a quick shot. But Detroit Defensemen Brad Stuart sacrificed his body to block the wicked shot from Pavelski and keep the Red Wings lead intact. It was looking dire for the Sharks as only six minutes remained in the third and they had yet to tie the game up. Fighting hard for the puck, the Sharks gained the offensive zone and set up shop. With a great cycle from Vlasic and Mitchell, they were able to work the puck to Logan Couture who was situated on the goal line. In a play similar to Zetterberg's second period goal, Couture threw the puck at the net with the bad angle. This time though, there was no defensemen's stick to deflect it in. Instead, Howard was caught "cheating" as he was thinking that Couture was going to pass and had prepared himself to get across the goal crease quickly. This opened up the five-hole and Couture snapped the puck passed Howard and into the net, tying the game: 3-3 Sharks. The Sharks were awarded a late Power Play but the Red Wings were able to hang on as Howard stopped a great chance by Clowe who broke through the defense. Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals was going to sudden death overtime.

After a 20 minute rest, the Sharks and Red Wings were ready to duke it out to the bitter end as the next goal would win the game. The Sharks got their chance early when Pavelski's line got a few prime opportunities but the Red Wings returned the favor with scoring chances on their own. Then a horrible line change from the Sharks found all of the Red Wings players gaining the Sharks zone with only three Sharks back. A high and wide slap shot from Red Wing Williams missed the net and skimmed all the way around the boards until it found the stick of Joe Thornton who had just got on the ice and was behind the Red Wing defense. With Patty Marleau on his left wing, the Jumbo quickly skated up ice on a two-on-one breakaway. The other Red Wings weren't able to recover in time to back check the two Big 3 scorers and it was up to Howard and the Red Wing's best Defensemen, Brian Rafalski, to stop the rush. As Howard came out to challange Thornton, Jumbo made a hard pass to Patty who only had to tap the puck into the empty net (play pictured above). The Sharks had come back from a two goal deficit to win the game in OT: 4-3 Sharks.

The Sharks celebrated their comeback victory as a shocked Red Wings team and equally shocked Red Wings fans quickly exited the Joe. The Sharks now have a 3-0 stranglehold over Detroit and can eliminate them with one more win. While the Big Pavelski did not score (he did however have an assist on Setoguchi's goal) the Big 3 came up huge for the Sharks with Joe Thornton raking up a goal and assist and Patrick Marleau tapping in the game winning goal. Dany Heatley had an amazing game as well even though he did not find the scoreboard. Game 4 is on Thursday, May 6th in Detroit where the Red Wings will have to win three games in a row to force a Game 7 if they want to have any chance of winning this series. While it has been done before, San Jose is not about to let that happen and will be looking for the kill come Game 4.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Game 2

2010-05-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Sharks would skate through the giant Shark head at HP Pavilion one last time before taking a two game road trip to the infamous Joe Louis Arena. With home ice being such a hard place for the visiting team to win at, the Sharks needed to come out strong and use their home ice placing as an advantage over the Red Wings. But Detroit, knowing well that they could not fall behind 2 games, were ready to come out in desperation mode to steal the win at the Shark Tank, which was roaring with enthusiasm.

The first 5 minutes of play were filled with a high tempo style of game that favored neither team. Each had their chances, with Nabokov (#20, pictured at top) and Howard making some fine saves. On a key offensive zone faceoff win, the Sharks were able to establish some sustained offensive presence and seemingly had the Red Wings hemmed in their own zone. An errant pass from Joe Thornton (#19) launched Paval Datsyuk into the Sharks zone with only Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44) defending. Hard back checking by Jumbo found him within stick's reach of the puck, as well as Vlasic finding body position but two Sharks players weren't about to stop Datsyuk from unleashing a wrist shot (play pictured above). The puck bounced off the post, hit Nabokov, and went into the net. The loudest building in all of the NHL went silent: 1-0 Red Wings. With little less than half the period played, the Sharks were rewarded a Power Play opportunity to try and tie the game up at 1 a piece. With the Big 3, the Big Pavelski (as the Bay Area has re-dubbed him), and Dan Boyle all out on the ice, the Sharks were sure to score if they could win the faceoff and set up their cycle quickly. Jumbo was thrown out of the circle and replaced with Patrick Marleau who luckily is a natural center who plays wing. He was able to win the draw and move the puck to Dany Heatley who found Joe Pavelski on the point. With a beautiful slap shot, the Big Pavelski buried it pass Howard: 1-1 Sharks.

Detroit answered back quickly, dominating in the Sharks zone. Yet they weren't allowed to just occupy the Sharks territory as there were many fierce board battles as well as big hits - including Sharks captain Rob Blake (#4) check Tomas Holmstrom hard to the ice (play pictured below). With a great save by Nabby, the Sharks were able to spring Pavelski up ice on a breakaway with Ryane Clowe and Devin Setoguchi following close behind. With a great spin move to protect the puck, Pavelski was able to buy enough time for Clowe to get to the net. Passing it cross ice to Clowe, big #29 was able to back hand it passed Howard for one of the best looking goals so far in the series: 2-1 Sharks. The Sharks continued to apply pressure and Manny Malhotra (#27, pictured at bottom) was absolutely robbed by the glove of Howard. The Sharks ended up taking a penalty and found themselves on the PK for the first time of the game. The hit on Red Wing Holmstrom did little to deter this fierce and gritty player from standing right in front of Nabokov, doing a great screening job. With a shot from the point, Holmstrom was able to tip it passed Nabby for the tying goal: 2-2 Sharks.

Once again, the Sharks looked weak in the second period and lagged behind Detroit who dominated a lot of the play. The Sharks took an early penalty and the Red Wings made them pay. Again, with Holmstrom screening Nabokov, Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom ripped a rocket of a shot passed Nabokov for the lead: 3-2 Red Wings. The Wings kept the pressure up but Nabokov did well to challenge the puck shooters and cut down their shooting angle, keeping the deficit to 1. The Sharks eventually got their game back under control and were able to draw a penalty, but Jason Demers hit the post on his blue line shot. While the Sharks were unable to convert on the PP, they were able to win the offensive faceoffs and dominate in the Red Wings zone for the majority of the 2 minute minor. But their inability to score a goal, kept Detroit's lead going into the third period.

Detroit came out hard, challenging Nabokov early who matched that challenge with back-to-back stellar saves. The battles in front of the net, on the boards, and in neutral ice became fierce as the Sharks hit desperation mode. The Sharks once again took an early penalty, giving the Red Wings the opportunity to bury the Sharks with a 2 goal lead. Datsyuk, the Red Wing's first goal scorer, threatened early but Nabokov robbed him with an excellent glove save, one that rivaled Howard's in the first period. HP Pavilion came to life as the crowd chanted "Nabby, Nabby" in applause for what could have been the game saving and game changing save. The massive save seemed to spark some life into the sharks and they began their attack against Detroit. They were rewarded with a Power Play of their own and the lethal line of the Big 3, Pavelski, and Boyle were out to take full advantage of it. As they cycled the puck, trying to find a clear shooting lane, the puck was passed to Patty who was at the right point. He fired a shot that went wide of the net, causing Howard to get out of position. Jumbo quickly backhanded it up the crease where Heater and Pavs were waiting. As bodies collapsed and a mad scramble for the puck ensued, the Big Pavelski was able to find it and shove it passed Howard for his second Power Play Goal of the night, a league leading 9 total: 3-3 Sharks.

With 15 minutes left, the Sharks had to find a way to stop Detroit from scoring as well as get one of their own to win the game. Detroit quickly gained possession of the puck in the Sharks zone and sent it up to the point where Detroit captain Lidstrom was waiting to fire it towards the net, but as he took the shot, his stick snapped in half. Heater was there in an instant and found himself on a breakaway with Thornton coming up on the left wing. Heater ripped a shot and Howard made the save. Yet, the rebound found its way to Jumbo who was able to tap it home, the last of the Big 3 had finally scored: 4-3 Sharks. The game wasn't over yet with over 7 minutes left to play. The Sharks never gave the Red Wings the chance to get sustained pressure in the final minutes of the game and actually forced Detroit to take a penalty which took away the 6-5 man advantage when they pulled goalie Howard. With one final save from Nabokov, the Sharks beat the Red Wings 4-3, the same score as Game 1 to take the 2-0 lead in the series.

A Growing Family . . .

2010-05-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Year: One
Season: Winter
Day: Eight

I couldn’t have gotten up in a happier mood. Celia had said yes to my proposal, even though it wasn’t much of a proposal. My field has been turning green with the newly emerging grass and the weather was beautiful. It was like Spring had come early and it was just what I needed. Celia and I agreed to have our wedding on the first day of Spring which gave me a few days to not only make some money and get the farm back on its feet, but also to figure out my plans for the coming Spring. So the day was filled with a fury of activity - farm chores, buying Tomato and Watermelon seeds from Vesta, and selling goods to Van. Unfortunately, I didn’t have as much as I thought I would to sell to Van and ended up having to sell a few of my belongings to make ends meet. The grass was still a couple days away from being able to cut and I needed to buy just a few more Good Fodder from town to be able to keep everyone fed. And to top off a great day of work and fun, the Fertilized Egg I had placed in the Incubator hatched! It was a baby chick that I named Relena and she seems to be fitting in well with all the others. Seems like the farm is growing in leaps and bounds.

Year: One
Season: Winter
Day: Ten

This is the day I have been waiting for all Winter! The grass is green and tall enough for me to cut into Fodder! I have survived Winter and my Fodder shortage crisis! Though I did lose my entire 4000g savings and I am deeply in debt, I was able to make it out without any of the animals becoming sick . . . something that I could not have afforded to happen. It was good news all around as I found that the Miracle Potion worked on Miel, she is now pregnant and should be expecting a calf in the Summer. I was so happy; I gave everyone a nice bath outside since the weather was so clear. I also was able to do a little bit of fishing and came out pretty lucky, catching an Arna and a bunch of other fish. Everything seemed to come together today as the Potatoes were ready to harvest and looked great considering all the snow they had to survive. Tomorrow is the big day and if it was like today, everything is going to work out well.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Game 1

2010-05-01T16:51:00.001-07:00

The Western Conference Semi Finals got underway right off of the faceoff as a jittery looking Sharks team bobbled the puck and then a misplay by Nabokov resulted in a mad scramble right in front of the San Jose net. The Sharks were able to quickly settle down and get some chances in on rookie goalie Howard, who robbed Setoguchi, Demers, and Heatley (#15) (pictured above) in the early minutes of the first period. The Sharks had a slightly different look to them as Patrick Marleau was out with an undisclosed injury (later revealed to be the flu) but you could tell that they were hungry for the win. Right off the bat that this game had a fast pace to it, even faster than the first round of the playoffs. Being both puck possessive teams, the play went evenly back and forth between the teams until some untimely penalties for the Red Wings put the Sharks on the offensive. An offensive zone faceoff win helped the Sharks establish their Power Play. With Boyle and Demers on the point, they cycled the puck to Pavelski who was hanging off the side of Howard. Pavs shot it over the crossbar but Boyle was able to collect the loose puck and find Pavs right in the slot. With a fast wrist shot, #8 buried the puck past Howard: 1-0 Sharks.

Another offensive zone faceoff win for the Sharks found Demers at the point with the puck. He quickly threw it at the net yet Howard made the save, letting a juicy rebound find its way to Joe Thornton. Jumbo used his magic from behind the net and with a fast pass up the slot, found Heater crashing the net. With a simple tap in, another of the Big 3 finally got on the scoreboard, and what a great assist by Jumbo: 2-0 Sharks. I have to point out how huge this assist was for Jumbo. Usually, Joe likes to slow the play down in the offensive zone by drawing the defenders to him and then making a slick pass to one of his wingers who taps it into the goal. It's a slow play that requires a lot of patience and that's exactly what Joe has. Sometimes it's a good thing, other times it results with me screaming at the TV for Joe to do something, anything. During the series against the Avs, Joe didn't have the time and space like he usually does, resulting in poor offensive production from him. In the first 4 games, you couldn't even sense his presence on the ice. In this game, from his first shift you could tell that Joe Thornton was on the ice. He was fast and big, throwing checks and causing chaos for the Detroit puck carriers. He was also much quicker moving the puck, especially with the Heatley goal. Joe definitely picked up the tempo of his game and it showed. I haven't seen Joe Thornton play like that since the Sharks faced off against Joe's old team, the Boston Bruins last season. Hopefully, if Joe keeps on playing like that, he could and will be the difference maker in this series.

Another faceoff ensued in the Sharks offensive zone but this time Detroit won the draw. Yet, with tremendous effort from Ryane Clowe, he was able to beat the Detroit defense and still come up with the puck. He quickly passed it to Boyle who in turned moved it to Pavelski who was heading towards the net, yet Joe was checked to the ice. As Pavs was falling, he made a cross-ice pass to Setoguchi who was waiting on the left wing. Seto was able to rip the shot past Howard, the second goal for the Seto, Pavs, Clowe line: 3-0 Sharks. If you are wondering how long it took the Sharks to score 3 goals, it only took 1:19 - yes, that's 79 seconds to build a 3 goal lead against one of the premier teams in the league. The Sharks hadn't clinched the W yet because Detroit still had some fight left in them.

With more than half of the first period already played and a 3 goal deficit, the Detroit Red Wings hit desperation mode and started their full on assault against the Sharks. Shift after shift, the Red Wings were able to build some momentum and started to push back. On a broken defensive play that left Red Wing Dan Cleary alone in front of Nabokov (#20, pictured above), The Detroit forward Ericsson was able to make a nice pass to Cleary who tapped it passed a sprawled out Nabokov to cut into the Sharks lead: 3-1 Sharks. The goal helped to spark some much needed life into the Red Wings who took control for the rest of the first period. Nabokov held strong and was able to come up with some big saves to keep the Sharks 2 goal lead into the second.

Five minutes into the second, the Sharks won a defensive zone faceoff yet still coughed up the puck to Detroit, with a nifty move in the slot, Franzen "the Mule" was able to beat a screened Nabokov to pull the Wings within one: 3-2 Sharks. With Detroit holding the momentum, the Sharks began to make some sloppy plays, resulting in a few Power Plays for Detroit. Some great defensive moves and key faceoff wins, the Sharks were able to not only keep Detroit from scoring but also launch Nichol and McGinn on a shorthanded breakaway chance that almost resulted in a goal. And when the D did have problems containing the Wings, Nabby was there to come up with the save. The Sharks also did something that they haven't done much in the regular season - get in shooting lanes and block shots. This forced the Wings to cycle the puck and make more passes, keeping them on the perimeter of the Sharks zone.

In the third period, the Sharks found themselves on an early Power Play. With a play very similar to one in the first period, Pavelski was again hanging on the stick side of Howard. The puck was cycled from Heatley to Boyle at the point, who passed it down to Joe. This time, Howard could not make the save and Joe Pavelski scored his 2nd of the game, 7th of the playoffs: 4-2 Sharks. Detroit quickly answered back as defensemen Brian Rafalski dropped down from the point to rip a snap shot passed Nabokov, the game wasn't over yet: 4-3 Sharks. Once again, the Sharks lost the momentum and took some bad penalties. Manny Malhotra came up big with some key faceoff wins as well as great plays from Captain Rob Blake (#4, pictured above and second from top) who was constantly battling in front of the net.

The Sharks got their opportunity to go on the offensive when the Red Wings were assessed a minor penalty. The Sharks pelted Howard with pucks from the point and a mad scramble broke out in front of the net as the puck lay uncovered near the crease. Blake had a prime opportunity to score but flicked the puck wide of the net. With a minute left in the game, Howard was pulled for the extra attacker and the Wings went to work. Once again, Manny was there to win the faceoff and help box out the Detroit Red Wings. With a few huge saves by Nabokov, the clock counted to zero and the Sharks won the first game of round 2.

A few things to point out about this game. One is the fact that the Sharks scored twice on the Power Play yet the Red Wings didn't score at all with the man advantage. The Special teams for the Sharks did their part in a huge way. Manny Malhotra was clinch in the faceoff circle, winning a few key draws in the waning seconds of the game as well as making a huge shot block with only a second left in the period. Captain Rob Blake was great on defense as were all the other defensemen, holding the Red Wings to 23 shots on goal, the Wings had 50+ shots on goal in their last game. Even with the high number of goals against, Nabokov was stellar coming up with some huge late period saves. Rookie Jason Demers had 2 assists on the night, setting up Pavelski's first goal as well as Heater's goal. This was also the first game 1 win for the Sharks in 4 straight playoff series. Overall, it was probably the most complete team effort I've seen from the Sharks in these playoffs. Every line pulled their weight and then some. While this win is sweet, the Detroit Red Wings aren't going to take this lying down and will surely be out for blood come game 2.

Sharks Vs. Red Wings WCSF Preview

2010-05-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

There is some serious history behind the Sharks and Red Wings rivalry, from playoff upsets to hard fought regular season match ups - it's no wonder why this has become one of the most anticipated playoff match ups for Red Wings fans, and more importantly for Sharks fans. In the Sharks 17 season history, they have met the Detroit Red Wings three times in the playoffs. Compared to the Red Wings, the Sharks are still infants in the hockey world, becoming a team in 1991 versus the Red Wings founding in 1926. The Sharks have zero Stanley Cups, 1 Presidents' Trophy (given to the best team in the regular season), and have only made it to the Western Conference Finals once (03-04). Detroit in comparison has won 11 Stanley Cups, 6 Presidents' Trophies, and have been to the WCF many times - including the last two seasons, where they won their latest Stanley Cup in 07-08.

But there is an interesting storyline when it comes to the Sharks and Red Wings. Take the Sharks first playoff experience in 93-94, in the first two seasons for the Sharks resulted in the worst record in the league, winning only 17 games in 91-92 and 11 wins in 92-93. Yet, the 93-94 playoffs rolled around and the Sharks found themselves not only in the playoffs but facing the Red Wings in the Western Conference Quarter Finals. Detroit was number 1 in their Division and were expected to steam roll passed San Jose, yet the Sharks pushed them to a game 7 and won. Detroit got their revenge the next season when they beat San Jose 4 in a row to sweep the Semi Finals without a single loss. The most recent playoff match up was a disappointment for Sharks fans as Detroit took the 06-07 Semi Finals in 6 games. Here we are again, 09-10 Semi Finals and it's the Sharks versus the Red Wings, but this time could be different. The Sharks are a different beast and even though they suffered 3 regular seasons losses (out of 4), the Sharks not only have a different look but a different kind of bite that could make this series one of the more contested in this rivalry's history.

Before Todd McLellan (pictured above) took over as head coach for San Jose in 08-09, he was the assistant coach in Detroit for 3 years. When he took over the bench in SJ, he brought with him a lot of the plays, style, and skill honing that the Red Wings have been known for and have used to make a successful hockey team. Some key changes were active defensemen who jumped into the offensive zone, controlling and winning board battles, and a puck possession style of gameplay. While these points are used by all of the teams in the NHL, the Red Wings have mastered them and if the Sharks have any chance of winning round 2, they have to prove that they've mastered them as well. Even though the Sharks have only been working under this system for less than two seasons, their improvement in these areas is undeniable. Take Dan Boyle who leads all defensemen in scoring in the playoffs. A key part of the Sharks win over the Avalanche was their ability to win board battles not only in their own zone but they were also able to strip pucks from the other team and shove them into the net. And about the Sharks 14 minutes of solid puck possession, well I think that one is self explanatory. I do believe the Sharks are better equipped this time around to be able to defeat the Red Wings and make it past round 2, but to do that, there are some other key areas and battles that they will have to win. There are also some players that I haven't mentioned or mentioned very little that have to come up big for the Sharks, it's going to take the whole team to defeat a group as solid and technically sound as Detroit.

San Jose Goalie: Evgeni Nabokov (#20) - Nabokov (pictured above) has a pretty bad record against the Detroit Red Wings and if it was last season, I would be seriously worried. Not known as a good playoff performer, Nabby was clinch against the Avs, stealing a couple of W's for his team. In the entire series, he only had one bad game and in that game, he really only had one bad period. #20 was able to regroup and collect himself to keep his team in the hunt and the Sharks ultimately won that game. So I have confidence that Nabby can and will keep his team in the hunt for the cup.

Detroit Goalie: Jimmy Howard (#35) - Drafted by the Red Wings in 2003, Howard (pictured at top) was called up to the NHL just this season and his rookie year has been stellar, so stellar in fact that he was named a Calder Trophy nominee for rookie of the year. Though he doesn't have any previous playoff experience, Howard definitely proved himself in Detroit's first round against the Phoenix Coyotes. And for those of you who aren't hockey history buffs, my all time favorite player, the reason why I wear #33 - Patrick Roy (pronounced wah) was a rookie goaltender with the Montreal Canadians in 1986 when he helped them win a Stanley Cup and was named the MVP of the playoffs. Patrick Roy proved that even a rookie goalie can win championships for their team and I'm sure Howard is going to do his absolute best for Detroit.

San Jose Defensemen: Jason Demers (#60), Kent Huskins (#40), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (#44) - Everyone knows I Love SJ defensemen Murray, Boyle, and Blake - and for good reason. But there are three other Sharks defensemen that while they don't get mentioned a lot in the reviews and highlight reels, they are a key cog of the San Jose machine. Demers is a rookie d-man, called up from the Sharks affiliate team in Worcester and he has done an outstanding job for the Sharks. Defense is probably the hardest position to play, especially with so many demands to be both offensively productive and defensively sound. Demers is in the top 25 in assists this playoffs and has been a very affective member of the Power Play. Huskins was brought over from Anaheim last season but didn't play because of a broken foot. His first games back on the ice in 09-10 were rough but he quickly found his legs again and has been a quiet yet strong force in the Sharks' own zone with his great defensive plays. Huskins also had a breakaway of his own and has been a solid part of the Penalty Kill. I've always been critical of Vlasic (pictured above), paired with Captain Rob Blake, it's an odd couple kind of match since Vlasic is one of the youngest Sharks players and Blake is the oldest. Yet, despite his age, Vlasic has been a permanent member (unlike Demers, who has been shuttled back and force from minors to SJ) of the Sharks for quite a few years. He played tremendously last season but seemingly broke down during the post season. He was sidelined this year with an injury that kept him out for a few weeks, but he's slowly got back into a rhythm and has come up big. While, I still think he plays the defensive zone weakly, his style of play hasn't cost the Sharks yet which is apparent by his zero plus/minus rating (+1 is given to a player who is on the ice when his team scores, -1 is given to a player who is on the ice when his team is scored against).

Detroit Defensemen: All 6 - 4 of the 6 Red Wing defensemen are in the top 15 in the playoffs for scoring compared to the Sharks 2. They are like forwards in their own right, activating from the point and dropping deep in the offensive zone. They are lethal, not only in an even strength (5 on 5) match up but they are just as deadly on the Penalty Kill. Yes, when they are down a man, the Red Wings are just as deadly and have scored many short-handed goals. Don't get me started on the Power Play, let's just say they convert almost every time, so the sharks need to keep out of the box to win this series.

San Jose Forward: Manny Malhotra (#27), Torrey Mitchell (#17), Scott Nichol (#21) - Faceoffs are going to be huge in this series. With both teams being powerful puck possessors, the faceoff is one of the sure ways to get control of the puck early. Losing a faceoff in your own zone could result in a goal for the other team while winning one in the offensive zone could give you a marker on the scoreboard. Manny Malhotra was the number 1 faceoff guy in the league (though he didn't quality for official recognition because he did not draw enough faceoffs in the regular season) with a 72.3 win percentage in the playoffs. Manny is one of the Sharks clinch players, great on the PK and a strong defensive forward. Mitchell was out for almost two full seasons with a broken leg that he suffered during training camp. Speedy #17 is back and has been playing with Jumbo and Patty while Heater was on the mend. With his speed and skill, Mitchell is a great addition to the Sharks and while he hasn't scored yet, he has threatened to quiet a bit. Scotty Nichol did have enough faceoff draws to be named the number 1 guy in the league with a 62.4 win percentage. I mentioned Nichol as being a key factor for the Sharks win over the Avs and I'm sure he will be a big part of their success against the Red Wings with his great ability to antagonize and pester the other team.

Detroit Forward: Pavel Datsyuk (#13) - Datsyuk is like Detroit's Joe Thornton, he makes beautiful plays out of unfathomable situations. Unlike Jumbo Joe, he also scores a lot. If he has the puck, he is deadly and if he doesn't have the puck, he is equally as deadly. While there are many lethal forwards for the Red Wings, Datyuk is one that and will tip the scales towards his team. When playing against Phoenix in game 7, he scored the first 2 goals, helping his team get rolling and eventually win the game and the series.

This could and will be a turning point for the San Jose Sharks, for good or for worse. General Manager Doug Wilson made it very clear after last year's horrific round 1 loss that there would be no "next year" after this season. With many players coming to the end of their contracts, Doug Wilson promised huge changes (and delivered some) if the Sharks did not find post-season success. The Sharks have found a little of that success with their defeat of Colorado, but will they be able to to muster enough will and skill to topple the giant that is Detroit? Only time will tell if the Sharks finally have what it takes to reach the end of all ends - the Stanley Cup.

Sharks Vs. Avalanche WCQF Games 5-6

2010-04-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

With the Western Conference Quarterfinals all tied up at two wins each, both the Sharks and the Avalanche could smell blood in the water. The next win would put a stranglehold on the losing team and give a huge advantage to the winning team. As the Sharks and Avs headed back to San Jose (games 1 & 2 were played in San Jose, games 3 & 4 were played in Colorado), the Sharks had the great opportunity to jump up 3-2 with the home ice advantage. But the young Colorado team wasn't about to let the Sharks get off so easily.

With the drop of the puck, game 5 began and the Sharks quickly entered into an almost unstoppable feeding frenzy, pelting Colorado goalie Craig Anderson with the puck. But Anderson was up to the task, robbing Clowe (pictured at the top) and Heatley numerous times. While even playing injured Heatley had a definite presence at the side of Colorado's net, trying for wraparounds and winning those hard fought board battles. Even the Sharks' defensemen were jumping up in the play and joining the rush, firing rockets from the blue line but again Anderson stood the test and kept the game scoreless. With only minutes remaining in the first period, Patrick Marleau sped off with the puck on a breakaway on his off wing (the opposite side of the ice of a player's position. Since Patty is a left winger, his off wing would be the right side of the ice as you face the opponent's net) and fired a wrister which Anderson fumbled and dropped for a juicy rebound. Unfortunately for the Sharks, the referee blew a quick whistle to stop play even though Anderson had not frozen the puck. But this didn't deter the Sharks as they quickly fired back with Heatley making a nifty pass from behind the Av's net to Malhotra who fired on goal. Anderson made the stop but the rebound found itself on rookie Couture's stick and he tried to rifle one home. Like so many times before, Anderson was a wall that would not break, making a great second effort save (pictured above). The game would go to the second period scoreless but not from lack of effort from the Sharks goal scorers. They outshot Colorado 12 to 2, practically owning the puck for most of the 20 minutes played.

As the second period started, you knew that someone was going to break - Anderson or Nabokov, it was going to happen. The Sharks continued their dominance with every player contributing. Scott Nichol and rookie Dwight Helminen both found themselves on breakaways but were stopped by Anderson. Then finally, almost halfway into the second, a goalie cracked and a goal went up on the scoreboard. The Sharks found themselves on the rush with Patty pushing the puck on the left side with Couture driving towards the net and Heater on the right wing. With a cross ice pass, Marleau laid the puck on Heater's stick and he rifled a shot towards the net, or so Anderson thought. The shot from Heatley was actually a shot-pass that hit Couture's stick and deflected in: 1-0 Sharks. That was rookie Logan Couture's (pictured above) first playoff goal in the NHL. A player from the Sharks affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts - Couture was brought up during the Sharks losing streak to help spark some life into the team. He did so well that he has been with the Sharks since. With the other injuries to the Sharks, rookie Dwight Helminen was also recalled from Worcester as well as rookie defensemen Jason Demers. Just as a side note, the Worcester Sharks are also in the AHL playoffs and have already moved on to round 2. Just goes to show that even with their top scorers playing for San Jose, the farm team of the Sharks is filled with high caliber talent - great news for the Sharks organization as a whole.

Two minutes later, the Sharks found themselves with the man advantage as an Avs Galiardi was sent to the box. Setoguchi took the face off and quickly won it back to Pavelski who was on the left point. Passing it cross ice to Clowe on his right forced the Avs to shift towards Clowe and open up the slot area (the middle lane right in front of the net). Clowe did a great job of selling a shot, which caused Anderson to slide to meet it, yet Clowe quickly passed the puck back to Pavelski. Unfortunately for Anderson, he stumbled right as Pavelski took the shot and he had no chance to recover: 2-0 Sharks. A few minutes later, Clowe and Seto found themselves on a breakaway. Clowe fired the puck as Seto drove to the net hard. The puck went in and so did Anderson and Setoguchi who was checked from behind by Colorado captain Adam Foote. The play was quickly whistled as no goal by the referee. Ironically, it was very similar to the no goal ruling in game 2 but this time (as should have been the last call) there was no penalty to Seto because in both instances it was an Avs player that checked Seto into Anderson. With less than five minutes to go in the second, the Sharks caught the Avs on a bad line change and quickly rushed up ice. As McGinn and Helminen drove the net, Scotty Nichol shot the puck off the net which resulted in it rebounding off the back boards. Anderson, who had challenged Nichol on the shot (meaning he moved forwards towards the shooter to cut down the angle), found himself out of position as Helminen wristed the rebound up and over Anderson: 3-0 Sharks. Rookie Helminen just scored his first NHL playoff goal, now doesn't that sound familiar. The Sharks would go into the dressing room with a 3 to nothing lead, out shooting the Avs 17 to 9.

While Nabokov wasn't tested much in the first 40 minutes of play, he was hammered as the Avs tried to gain some momentum and claw back into the game. But Nabokov had some moves of his own, robbing Colorado player Tucker with a massive pad stack. The Big 3 (minus Heatley who was still playing on the third line) had a bit more bounce this time around as well with Marleau streaking in and Jumbo almost burying the rebound home. At 10:37, the Sharks again rushed up ice and with a pure effort play, Setoguchi fought to stay on side as Clowe and Couture rushed in the offensive zone. On his back hand, Clowe literally outmuscled the Avs defense as he charged towards the net and laid the puck on goal. The rebound popped out to Couture who slapped it home for his second of the night: 4-0 Sharks. The Avs coaches made a tough decision by pulling Anderson and replacing him with backup goalie Budaj. With minutes left in the period and the game pretty much wrapped up, the Sharks showed that they weren't about to quit when they found themselves on the Power Play once again. The Big 3 were reunited for this man advantage and it paid off. Heatley fired the puck towards the net and with Patty Marleau hanging off to the side of Budaj, Patty was able to tip it in - finally one of the Big 3 had scored: 5-0 Sharks. With pure will, skill, and domination the Sharks powered their way through the Colorado Avalanche to gain the 3-2 series lead and the chance to finish off the series with just one more win in Colorado.

Game 6, back in the Mile-High City, the Avs would try to stave off elimination at home and force a game 7 back in San Jose. Anderson was back in goal, ready to redeem himself yet the Sharks weren't about to make his night easy as they started with what has become the Sharks number one offensive line of Setoguchi, Pavelski, and Clowe. Quickly they gained control of the puck and with some hard work down low, Pavelski came up with the puck, wrapped around the net and beat Anderson on the stick side - number four for Joe: 1-0 Sharks. The Avs challenged right back with a great scoring chance of their own but Nabby was able to make the sliding save and keep the Sharks in the lead. Defensemen Kent Huskins (pictured above, #40) also made some great defensive plays, working hard to minimize the Avs scoring chances. Halfway through the first, Clowe tried his own wraparound, choosing to go glove side on Anderson and almost scored but the puck would not go in. In the second period, the Avs would tie it up on a great individual move by Svatos who just powered his way to the net, beating three Sharks players and Nabokov for the tying goal: 1-1 Sharks. The Avs came back hard, forcing Nabokov to make some huge saves. Pavelski's line also threatened to score but Anderson came up with some huge saves to match Nabokov. On the Sharks Power Play, Jumbo Joe and Marleau had great scoring chances but were robbed again by the solid play of Anderson. The Avs got a Power Play of their own in the final minutes of the second and rifled a blistering shot that was gloved by Nabokov, absolutely the best save by Nabokov so far.

In the third, the Big 3 came out strong as they were reunited and dominated in the Avs zone but still could not convert. For the next five minutes, the Sharks seemed to be sleeping on the job and a horrible defensive lapse resulted in Colorado's Yip scoring the game leading goal: 2-1 Avs. Ironically, Yip's goal was like an alarm clock going off and waking up the Sharks who began to push back with some urgency. Pavelski (pictured below) had a great scoring chance and Heater hit the post, yet none could get that elusive game tying goal. Yet on the same play, the puck found its way to Dan Boyle who buried past Anderson: 2-2 Sharks. Not two minutes later, Colorado captain Foote lost a neutral boards battle with Pavelski, springing the Sharks on a two-on-one offensive chance. With Setoguchi driving to the net, Pavelski wound back to shoot the puck but left it behind. He was able to recover and on second effort beat Anderson for his second of the game, fifth of the series: 3-2 Sharks. The Avs began to challenge the Sharks in their own zone and their D-men started to jump into the play which resulted in a few breakaway chances for the Sharks. Manny Malhotra and Heatley had a great look as did Marleau and Torrey Mitchell but none could convert. With great defensive work by Dan Boyle and others, the Sharks were able to keep the lead until Colorado pulled their goalie for the extra attacker in the waning minutes of the third. Yet some great saves by Nabby and two empty net goals by Setoguchi and Murray sealed the deal for the Sharks who defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 and winning the series 4-2. The Sharks were moving on to round 2, the Western Conference Semifinals.

While it's pretty obvious who the stars for the Sharks were, Pavelski for sure was the best player as was his line with Setoguchi and Clowe. But I do have three other stars that should get honorable mention for their hard work and effort. Scott Nichol was a key player getting a goal and an assist but he also played a very physical game, throwing huge checks at the Avalanche players. He played gritty and was there when things got out of hand, he was like the sheriff, enforcing the law and protecting the other Sharks players. You could tell that he literally left everything he had on the ice every shift. Evgeni Nabokov was also a huge part of the win. He truly only had one bad game (game 2) and was able to bounce back and provide solid goaltending for Team Teal. Nabokov (along with Jumbo and Patty) have always been criticized for their less than stellar playoff performances, but at least this time, critics don't have much to complain about Nabby. Last but not least is Dan Boyle, the Sharks great offensive defensemen. He scored those key goals at key moments, helping to energize the Sharks and propel them to victory. He also made some great defensive plays to keep the Avalanche from scoring. Overall it was a great series for both teams. The Colorado Avalanche weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs and most critics thought they would be one of the worst teams in the league. Yet they battled their way into the eighth spot and gave the number one seeded Sharks all that they could handle. With Anderson's amazing goaltending and great offensive scorers, the Avs will be an unstoppable force in a few more years or maybe even next year.

As for the Sharks, it's off to round two against the most formidable foe the Sharks have ever faced - the Detroit Red Wings. This is a David and Goliath scenario, even though the Sharks are higher seeded, the Detroit Red Wings have been to the Stanley Cup Finals for the past two seasons and won the Cup the season before last. Oh, did I mention that the Sharks were soundly beaten 3 out of the 4 games that they played against the Red Wings in the regular season. The Sharks only managed to win once on home ice and haven't won a single game at the famous Joe Louis Arena in almost two seasons. Hopefully, the confidence that the Sharks gained from the previous round will help them find a way to power over a stacked Red Wings team and make it into the Conference Final for only the second time in club history. Though I'm sure the Wings will have some momentum of their own, beating the Coyotes soundly in game 7 to advance to round 2. I'm both excited and nervous, the Red Wings are my number one hated team and for good reason. But with players like Pavelski leading the way, the Sharks have probably one of their best chances to finally defeat Goliath and prove that they have the will and skill to be champions.

Horribly Late To The Show

2010-04-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

I've never been very good at catching the latest fad or trend right off the bat. I totally missed the Skechers shoe craze, I was late joining the boy band party (and I didn't stay very long), and I've refused to get on the Facebook boat with everyone else. So, needless to say, I usually ignore a lot of the fads and trends of the day. But one such viral outbreak I have to say that I'm ashamed to have missed because of its pure horribleness is Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

Starring Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible with Felicia Day (of The Guild fame) and Nathan Fillion and written by the Whedon brothers. This musical tragicomedy short film was written during the WGA's writers' strike and was designed to be low budget but of professional quality. Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog follows Billy, aka Dr. Horrible, as he attempts to impress Bad Horse, the leader of the Evil League of Evil. Billy also has a crush on Penny who he inadvertently match makes with his arch-nemesis, Captain Hammer. What ensues is a funny and geektastic musical that tugs at the heart strings of all wannabe villains.

I can't believe I almost missed this little Internet gem, luckily Netflix recommended it and I was able to hop on the Dr. Horrible boat, even if I was a little late.

PC Junk Drawer

2010-04-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

You know that drawer you have somewhere in your kitchen or office? The one that you put everything that doesn't have a place inside to the point where you don't even know what's in there anymore. It's like a black hole that sucks in useless junk and "thingymabobs". You always mean to clean it out eventually, but every time you open it up, you think "ah, I'll do it later." For me, the kitchen junk drawer houses everything from the tape and scissors to shoelaces and five year old cough drops that somehow keep reappearing even though I've thrown them out on numerous occasions. I hate the junk drawer, I'm a horribly organized person so the random piles of clutter make me wonder if it's safe to reach my hand in and try to locate a permanent marker or if some unknown staple remover is going to bite me. It's one of the few "shared" places in the house to store stuff. Most of my belongings are neatly alphabetized, color coordinated, and tucked squarely in their designated home. Yet, I am finding that a sort of unintentional junk drawer of my own has been slowly massing without my noticing, until now - my digital music collection!

Yes, my collection of assorted tracks that have been ripped, copied, transferred, and downloaded to my computer's music library. While most tracks and albums are neatly organized by artist, album, and genre - I can't help but be bothered by the solitary "Lump" track by the Presidents of the United States or the dozen albums in Kanji that I can only somewhat decipher. Throw in the multitude of French, German, and Russian titled tracks - it only adds to the globulous goop that is in my PC junk drawer. This is why I dislike digital content - books, games, music - they grow to such a mass that you don't even really know what you have and you fear the time and effort to actually go through everything and sort it all out. My CD collection is easy to search through and find what I want almost instantly whether it be the FullMetal Alchemist soundtrack or my collection of Satie and even (heaven forbid) my old NSync albums. Yet for me to find the FullMetal Alchemist soundtrack on my PC, it would require me to break out the Kanji book and figure out which symbols mean what or my French dictionary to try and find the exact track I want.

It seems like it should be a lot easier having everything in a digital format. No extra needed space, easy to buy, easy to access, and relatively cheap - yet the subtle nuisances like inaccurate album information and having my entire collection pop up all at once has kept me going back to my CD collection time and time again. So while I'm still fearful of meddling with my physical and virtual junk drawers, I have at least found enough courage to make a couple decent playlists of the assorted tracks from all the various albums and one track downloads to keep the music playing.

Sharks Vs. Avalanche WCQF Games 1-4

2010-04-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

The 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun and what a beginning it has been. Everything that could go wrong for the Sharks has but they have been able to dig deep and find a way to still win. While the Western Conference Quarterfinals aren't finished yet, I thought I would post some of my thoughts on the four games that have already been played. As the number one seed in the Western Conference, the Sharks have earned the right for home ice advantage as well as playing against the eighth seeded Colorado Avalanche. As with tradition, the Sharks players took to the ice for game one by skating through the gaping mouth of the giant shark's head at HP Pavilion.

As the first game began, it seemed like the Sharks were caught off guard by the speedy young Colorado team, who the majority of the players have never been in the post season. There was no team that truly dominated overall and it was quite an even match. The Avs struck first in the second period with a Power Play goal from Liles that was directed on its way to the net. From there on, the Avs dominated most of the second and kept the Sharks off the scoreboard going into the third. Yet, big time playoff guy, Ryane Clowe had something to say about that when he outworked Liles for the puck in the Avs zone and ripped one passed Colorado goalie Anderson to tie the game up. Unfortunately, the bad luck would start when the Av's Stewart threw a puck towards the net on a blind play. It ricocheted off of Sharks captain Rob Blake and past Nabokov, clenching the W of the first game for the Avs.

With only a day between games, the Sharks had to refocus and mentally prepare for another hard fought game because as they found out in game one, the Avs were not going to let them win easily. With top notch goaltending from rookie Craig Anderson, the Sharks were finding it difficult to score and had to figure out something quickly. And boy did the scoring come quickly in the second matchup of the quarterfinals. The Avs struck first again barely a minute into the game yet the Sharks dominated for the majority of the period until with a minute left Manny Malhotra (pictured above) tied it up. Again, the Avs would strike quickly in the second period, only 24 seconds into the game. Yet the Sharks big C answered back with a huge Rob Blake style point shot to tie the game yet again three minutes later. But the Avs answered less than a minute after that with a goal of their own, once again stealing the lead. Hard work from Setoguchi found the puck on his stick and he was able to lift it over Anderson for the tying score. And then the Avs scored, and then tough guy Scott Nichol scored. If you lost count, that was six goals, three for the Avs and three for the Sharks, scored in the second period alone.

Going into the third, the game was tied 4-4, yet the newly dubbed shark killer, Stewart once again found the back of the net with a more legit goal scorer's goal to reclaim the lead for the Avalanche. More hard work from Setoguchi resulted in a tying goal for the Sharks, yet the referee declared it a no goal and gave Seto a penalty for goalie interference - a questionable call, even for the unbiased announcers. The Sharks were in a do or die situation and at 19:28 in the third period (there is only 20 minutes in a period), Joe Pavelski ripped a shot pass Anderson to force sudden death OT! With solid domination from the Sharks in overtime, Clowe, the experienced playoff hero, stole the puck from an Avs defensemen and with a nifty move shot a low rising puck towards Anderson who was being screened by Seto. At first, the puck looked like it was going to sail wide of the net, but Seto was able to get a stick on it and tip it five-hole on Anderson. The Sharks won in overtime! Unfortunately, there was some bad news to go with the win. Dany Heatley was injured on a play and would not return until game four of the series. The other bad news was Nabokov's less than stellar performance, allowing five goals on 22 shots. In comparison, Anderson allowed six goals on 52 shots. I'd have to wait until game three to see if Nabokov could clean up his game and get the Sharks a 2-1 lead in the series.

Nabby was able to tighten his game up, so much so that after 60 minutes of play, the Sharks and Avs would go into overtime scoreless. That's right, 60 minutes of hard battles, great plays, and even greater saves. The Sharks dominated most of the night, pelting Anderson with 51 shots and holding the Avs to a measly 17. They even held possession of the puck for a solid 14 minutes, there is only 20 minutes in an entire period! Yet bad luck would strike yet again as Dan Boyle (pictured above) would make a common defensive play in his own zone. He was on the side boards with the puck and went to pass it down behind his own net to his defensive partner Douglas Murray. It is a common play that you see hundreds of times in a hockey game, yet as luck would have it, the Avs forechecker (an opposing forward who chases the puck carrier into his own zone) tipped the pass at the last moment, sending the puck careening past Nabokov and earning the W for the Avs in game three. It was the craziest goal I have ever seen and probably will ever see. You could not recreate that scenario even if you tried a thousand times. So once again, the Sharks would have to battle back because they could not afford going down 3-1 in this series of seven.

While it wasn't Dan's fault that the Sharks lost game three, I'm sure he felt like he had to redeem himself in some way and boy did he find the best way to do it in game four. Barely a minute into the first period, on the Power Play, Boyle ripped a saucer shot from the point and beat Anderson glove side, the first time in the series that the Sharks had scored first. While the Sharks didn't dominate like they did in the last game, they were able to keep the Avs off of the scoreboard until the second period. The Avs weren't going to go down easy and were able to score a goal, tying the game and forcing overtime. Going into a third straight overtime, the Sharks came out strong but were quickly hemmed into their own zone for an extended period of time. But a freak outlet pass found defensemen Douglas Murray breaking away in the neutral zone with Pavelski on his left wing and Clowe on his right wing - and in overtime situations, those are the two you want to have with you. Now Murray isn't known as an offense D-man at all. Unlike Dan Boyle who scores a lot, Murray has only scored once this season. So seeing him on the rush, you weren't really expecting much. But big number 3 made a great play by charging straight up the middle, attracting two Avs players to him. Then he used a subtle drop pass to Pavelski, who used the Avalanche Captain, Adam Foote, as a screen and beat Anderson top shelf, glove side. The Sharks had tied up the series 2-2.

It definitely looks like my prediction of the Sharks winning the series in six games might come true, but first, they have to seriously fix some things. The biggest problem right now are the Big 3, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley - who have yet to score. I'll give Heater some slack, he missed most of game two and all of three with an injury. Even returning in game four, you could tell he was hurting and spent the entire game on the third line, resulting in less ice time. Yet even hurt, Heater made two great plays which almost resulted in goals, missing the net by mere inches. He paid the price for those chances as well, being pummeled into the boards both times. Even injured, I'm betting Dany will score soon. But Jumbo Joe and Patty are totally different stories. They call Thornton "Jumbo" for a reason. He is one of the largest Sharks and he's a powerful player so its a bad sign when he is not playing physical and has very little "presence" on the ice. Game four, he played a lot better, but he has not been a factor at all in any of the scoring. Don't even get me started on Patty, all I can say is it doesn't even look like he's playing. His mistakes have been major and have cost the Sharks greatly. If he isn't going to play, they should just bench him. Thank goodness for the super line that is Pavelski's. All three (Pavelski, Setoguchi, Clowe) have been a key part of the Sharks success. But the whole team is going to have to start pulling their weight (especially the Big 3) if they want to win this series. Game five is on later tonight and it is a must win for the Sharks. They have not lead in this series once and whoever wins this game is going to have the choke hold on the other team. It is a best of seven series, the first to four wins and right now the Sharks and Avs are tied 2-2. Tonight is when the tide could change in the favor of either team. Let's just hope Team Teal will get their act together and come out on top.

From Crying Baby To The Kevin Butler

2010-04-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the change in Sony's marketing strategy as of late? I can't, it seems like only yesterday when I was cowering from fear of the PlayStation 3's "White Room" TV Spots featuring melting Rubik's Cubes and possessed baby dolls. Actually, before The Kevin Butler, VP of Everything PlayStation came along, I can only remember a few good PlayStation commercials. The ones that come to mind are Canada's "The Wait is Over" PS3 ad as well as the PS2's memorable "PS9" TV Spot. All I can say, is after Sony's bad run of advertising campaigns of scary crying babies to tagging buildings with graffiti and even a racially charged billboard ad, the "Dear PlayStation" commercials are a welcomed sight. Here's hoping that The Kevin Butler stays VP for a long long time.

Update: Speaking of Sony's odd and crazy ads, I ran across an article that actually has photos from some of their most creative and controversial ads, minus the crying babies. Check it out.

Nucks/Avs Vs. Sharks Review (March 27/28, 2010)

2010-04-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Simple plays and hard fought battles were the themes of the Sharks double header that I traveled down to see. After a long losing streak that lasted six games, the Sharks got back to the basics and I had the fortunate timing of being there when they regained their winning ways.

The Vancouver Canucks were the first to roll into San Jose on Saturday, March 27th. As I took my seats in the stand, the Tank was buzzing. It had been six games since the Sharks were back home and with only a few weeks left of the regular season, the fans were eager to see their team play. Of course, the Nuck fans were not to be outdone and had a large attendance. As the puck was dropped and the game started, I noticed one major thing right off the bat - the lines! There are four offensive lines and three defensive lines (blue line pairs) in hockey. An offensive line consist of a left winger, centerman, and a right winger while a defensive line consists of two defensemen. The four offensive lines usually have a specific role with the first line being made up of the top scorers, the second line consists of some additional scorers, while the third line is primarily a checking line (physical, often defensively focused), and the fourth being acting as an energy line (gritty and strong skating abilities). McLellan decided to break up the big three (Marleau, Thornton, and Heatley) and shuffle players around to form four vary different looking lines. At first, I didn't think it was working because the Canucks scored halfway through the first period.

The Sharks stayed strong defensively and were able to make it out of the first period with just the one goal allowed. Douglas Murray made some great defensive plays including a few great picks as well as flattening a few Canucks who were running around. One of the newer Sharks, Niclas Wallin, made a horrible play by not challenging for a loose puck which resulted in a great scoring opportunity for Vancouver. Number 7 ended up making up for that mistake by some hard backchecking and a big hit, to stop the breakaway later in the second period. Just three minutes into the second, the Sharks found themselves with the man advantage and found themselves in a shaky position when the Canucks came attacking Nabokov, trying to get the shorthanded goal. But Nabby was able to make the save and lanch the Sharks forwards quickly up the ice, catching the Canucks in the middle of a line change. Once over the blue line, Heatley ripped a shot that beat Luongo to tie the game up.

The Canucks immediate began pushing back, dominating in the Sharks zone for some time until a great stick lift sent Marleau up the ice on a breakaway, and once Patty starts to skate, no one can catch him. All that was left to do was deke and back hand the puck into the net, making it a 2-1 game. Less than two minutes after Marleau's goal, Pavelski rushed down the right wing, shot the puck, got his own rebound back, and scored. One of the two players I picked to be key in these back to back games, Joe Pavelski was playing great all night so you knew it was only a matter of time before he scored. Unfortunately, my other pick, Joe Thornton, was unable to fully shine in this game. Jumbo was playing great, shooting and passing but a hard check sent him flying into the boards awkwardly and he remained laying on the ice for a few minutes before being helped into the dressing room. Thornton's injury ended up keeping him out for three games, the first time he has ever missed playing a game in his career as a Shark.

It would be touch and go throughout the third period as the Canucks scored to bring them back within one. As the period began to wind down, Canucks' goalie Luongo was pulled for the extra attacker as Vancouver tried to tie it up. Another Shark ended up going down with an injury as a shot hit Manny Malhotra in the face (he doesn't wear a visor). Though Manny would not return to the game, he didn't sustain any major injuries and was back playing the next day. A great steal resulted in the empty net goal by Clowe which sealed the win for the Sharks, beating the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. While it wasn't an easily won game, the Sharks showed that they could keep it simple, fight back, and maintain the lead. With such a great physical game played, I wondered how well the Sharks would fair against the Avs when they came in for a early game the next day.

Hockey games usually don't start until 7:00pm or 7:30pm so a 5:00pm start can really mess up a player's game day routine. Especially when that 5:00pm start time is for the last game of a back to back double header. Luckily, the Sharks weren't the only ones who played the night before, the Colorado Avalanche also had a game the night before which had me thinking that this was going to be a very dull game - I was very wrong. The pace was fast, the hits were big, and there was a lot of action going on everywhere. Six minutes into the first period, a fight broke out and while it wasn't much of a fight, you could tell that these two teams were serious.

Without Joe Thornton, the lines once again looked different but they all were firing and working hard. With 9 minutes to go and on the Power Play, Boyle ripped a shot from the point and Setoguchi was able to tip it past Avs goalie, Anderson, for the lead. Back up goalie, Thomas Greiss was in net and was able to keep the lead through the first period. In the second, the Avs came back strong scoring both an even strength goal and a Power Play goal to give them the lead. With the period winding down, it seemed like the Sharks would be going into the third down a goal, but no one told that to Jed Ortmeyer who was able to score the game tying goal on the rush.

This back and forth game continued with the Avs and Sharks fighting for domination of the puck. Greiss was stellar and helped to keep things close as the Sharks defense sometimes left him all alone with a shooter in white. With the start of the third period, the Sharks found themselves pelting Anderson with the puck and one finally went in when Boyle shot a sneaky pass that was deflected in. Five minutes later, the Avalanche answered back with a goal of their own, once again tying the game up. With five to go in the period, Pavelski rips a shot from the high slot and Setoguchi was on the back step, able to tap it past Anderson for the go ahead goal. But the Avs weren't going to go down easily and pulled their goalie to get the extra attacker in the waning moments of the game. Greiss was the one to have the last word on the matter with a game winning save on Liles and kept the Sharks on top with the 4-3 win. Hard fought back and forth game with a ton of action and excitement - definitely the best game I went to this 2009-2010 season.

Oh, and there's more. The Sharks were able to clinch not only the Pacific Division title for the third year in a row, but the best regular season record in the Western Conference for the second time. Seeded number one in the Western Conference, the Sharks will be facing the eighth seeded Colorado Avalanche in a round one seven game series as both teams try to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. This is going to be an amazing match up with both teams being very familiar with each other. This is also the first time this playoff match up has happened since I've been a Shark fan. The last time the Sharks and Avs met in the playoffs, I was wearing the Av's colors as I watched the Sharks upset my favorite team. Now that I'm a true teal blooded hockey fan, I can only hope that the Sharks can pull off another victory over Colorado and I'm predicting that they are going to do it in six games. The playoffs start in a few more days and I will definitely be glued to the television as I watch the 16 best teams in the NHL battle it out for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Nucks/Avs Vs. Sharks Preview (March 27/28, 10)

2010-03-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

Once again I find myself preparing for a trip down south to see the San Jose Sharks take the ice live. I was lucky enough to be able to get tickets for a double header against the Vancouver Canucks on the 27th and the Colorado Avalanche on the 28th. I was going to do a full preview of both games like my last blog but some expected events have been happening since the league resumed play a day after the gold medal was awarded at the Olympics. The Sharks have hit a very rough patch with a current four game losing streak as well as massive problems overall. Going into the Olympic break as the number one team, they are now fifth in the league with two teams right behind them. In fact, the Phoenix Coyotes are only a point behind and because they are in the same Division as the Sharks (Pacific Division), the Cotes have the chance to steal the Sharks Division Title and rob San Jose of the threepeat. And yes, I did mean to type "expected events" because most long time Sharks fans know that the Sharks have horrid finishing power. Last year they floundered in the final months, barely getting the President's Trophy and basically surfing into the playoffs from the momentum they built early in the year. With so many teams already in a do or die situation, the lackadaisical Sharks barely put up any effort and were booted out of the playoffs early in the first round.

So, is this going to be a repeat of last year? Hopefully not, but the Sharks haven't looked solid since before the Olympic break and there are other numbers that show indicators that the Sharks might fumble this up again. Take their "giving up the first goal" for 14 games straight. With hockey being a game buit on momentum, the first goal is everything providing both confidence and a spark to the team that scores it. There are other stats that have gone off the deep end as well. Take the Penalty Kill, the Sharks are/were one of the best PK teams, usually in the top three teams in the league. Last game, they allowed two back to back goals on the PK. There Power Play, Faceoff Wins, and Penalty Minutes all have shown signs of a sloppy and unmotivated team. While I could list the players from the Canucks and Avs that I think will play a big part in the game on Saturday and Sunday, the way the Sharks have been playing, it could be anyone and everyone. So, I'm just going to single out two players, one per game and what they need to do to help the Sharks get back into the winning column.

Jumbo Joe Thornton, number 19, one of the best passers in the league and was number one with 64 assist until Henrik Sedin from the Canucks overtook him. When Joe stopped getting the big number assists, the Sharks started to lose. Thornton is an integral part of the team, like the quarterback in football, he sets up plays that score. He also has a great shot, something he doesn't use often enough. This is especially apparent in the playoffs where time and space (the two things Thornton uses to make those excellent passes) is in short supply and shooting first is usually the better choice. Instead, you see Joe cough up the puck, launch the opponent on a breakaway, and usually ends with the puck in the back of the Sharks net. With less than a month left of hockey, the games are picking up the pace - dramatically. They are ten times faster than in the beginning of the season and playoff games will be ten times faster than the games being played now. Thornton needs to start being more aggressive, think shoot when there is no clear pass, and use his size to do some damage in front of the net. He only has a few games left to get into this mindset and he needs to do it soon.

Next up is the other Joe - Joe Pavelski, number 8, and all-around utility guy. He plays center on the second line setting up a lot of the plays, he scores goals, he plays point on the PP, and plays defense on the PK. You can and will see Pavelski in almost every situation on the ice because he has a great hockey IQ. Unlike Jumbo Joe who seemed to lose some of his touch after the Olympics, after coming away with silver, Pavelski's game has been elevated, including getting the game winning goal a few games ago. All Pavelski has to do is keep rolling and try to get his linemates rolling as well. Clowe has finally scored a few goals and Seto has seemed to hit a stride as well. Hopefully, Pavelski's strong work ethic will rub off on some of the players and help put a little life into this titanic of a team.

McLellen has been trying to infuse some life into the team by bringing up some of the enthusiastic talent from team Worcester Sharks as well as mixing up the lines to try and find that spark. I am hoping that they figure it out in the next couple of games before I make my six hour trip down. I've already been to one horribly dull game this season and don't want to have to sit through two more. Once again, the questions of playoff failure are swirling - I just hope this time, the Sharks can prove everybody wrong and go the distance. But before they can, they need to survive the last weeks of regular season hockey.

Oh, This Can't Be Right.

2010-03-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a resource center for superheroes? Well if you have, all of your questions are about to be answered with Super Human Resources, a comic series by author Ken Marcus and artist Justin Bleep. A four part series from Ape Entertainment, about the Human Resources department of Super Crises International (SCI for short) and their newest employee, Tim from Temps-R-Us. Hilarity and conundrums ensue as Tim tries to learn the ropes of a job that not everyone is fitted for. A cast of oddball characters help (or hinder) Tim as he deals with everyday office work, that is if you're used to working with capes, claws, and radioactive half-lives.

Take Zombor, flesh-eating zombie and SCI's main receptionist or the Wombat, a vigilante that lives in the basement of SCI. Then there's Roger, Tim's boss and SCI's resident homicidal maniac. If you are at all familiar with classic superhero stories, zombies, and the stealth-assassination arts - then you will definitely get a kick at Super Human Resources witty take on the everyday life of these odd individuals. Filled with a lot of comedy and parodies, the employees from SCI never take themselves too seriously, which is one of the things that makes this comic so enjoyable to read.

A four part series, each comic will cost you only $0.99 and while each issue tends to be a little shorter than the average length (around 23-25 pages), the comedic relief is well worth it. The only negatives I have about the series is the spelling and grammar errors that are rampant throughout the first issue but are mostly resolved through the rest of the series. If you are up for a few good laughs, then I'd definitely recommend forking out the 4 bucks to pick up this series. And with this economy, you never know when you might need the experience to work in Human Resources, so this could come in handy. So if you're interested, make sure to see Zombor at the front desk. Just remember, he's on a low human flesh diet, so he might be a bit cranky.

MOVE Over . . . Wii?

2010-03-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

After months of talk and a few name changes, Sony finally announced the PlayStation Move at GDC 2010. When I first saw Sony's motion controller I was kind of excited. Hearing how disappointed a lot of my Wii owner friends were about the lack of precision the Wii's motion controller offered, it seemed like Sony's stab at motion controllers might just fix the problem. After watching Sony's press conference at GDC 2010, I realized a few things that kind of had me scratching my head. Sony's going after the Wii?!?

It's one thing for consoles to duke it out over exclusives and holiday sales but it's another thing to actually enter a console's exclusive territory and bring the fight to them. To me, that's what Sony's doing, entering Nintendo's kingdom of "motion controllidarity" - something that no other console has challenged yet since the Wii released in 2006. There are two major things that bother me about Sony's approach to it's motion controller, Move. One is that 3+ years is a long time to build an install base and we all know that Nintendo built one killer base as the Wii was practically impossible to find for two holiday seasons straight. The PS3 on the other hand was slow to get out of the gate, and while this is a marathon not a sprint, the difference in console sales makes the move to unleash the Move seem a bit late in my eyes.

The other thing that bothers me about Sony's approach to the Move is their promise to make it more than "a pointer", referring to the lack of innovative uses for the Wii's motion controller. Yet all the demos I saw where exact replicas of Wii games. Table tennis, boxing, odd party games that don't seem fun, and sword fighting games. Even adding Move support to games like LittleBigPlanet didn't seem that fun. I mean, the guy doing the demo seemed to be bored so what does that mean for us, the people who pay to play these things. I'm trying not to be too much of a downer, but I've been through enough peripheral releases to know that true third-party and innovative first-party support is hard to come by.

Look at the PlayStation 2's EyeToy - I picked one up because I thought it would be cool to be able to do all the things they showed in the demo - but it really isn't. One thing is the fact that I looked like an idiot jumping around and waving my hands in the air trying to control the character on screen, which didn't always work, and found that I wasn't really having any fun at all. I thought that with advances in learning how to develop for the EyeToy would improve games but I still only found party games being released, nothing very interesting or new.

Onto the PlayStation 3's Eye, once again I got sucked into picking this thing up, but for a different reason - there was an innovative game called Eye of Judgment that really did bring something new to the table. So much so, that the technology behind the game has moved on to other forms of media, even Hallmark has started using it. Unfortunately, Eye of Judgment was the only innovative game that was released for the Eye and nothing really new has come out since then.

PlayStation Move is poised to seemingly correct this problem, but I'm skeptical that it will actually happen. Sony can't seem to keep long term support going for the PSP (as in lack of new IPs from both first and third party developers) let alone the Eye, so why is Move going to be any different? Plus, with everything Sony showed at their press conference, it looks like I'm going to have to buy four of the main Move controllers and four of the sub-controllers just to play some of those party games. If anyone has a few extra hundred dollar bills lying around, I'll be happy to pick Move up and give it a whirl.

Okay, so now that I've got my "Bah, this is just a money sucking scheme from Sony" rant out of the way, I'll switch gears and talk a little bit about the things I do thing are going to be good and how this could change the gaming landscape. One is the Socom 4 demo (yay, they are bringing single player campaign back! Zipper's finally realized that not everyone likes to get trash talked by 12 year olds) which showed that you could use Move to play a game without waving your arms around like a mad man. It looked very precise and kind of fun. Plus, it was in HD, c'mon, we all know that Nintendo's biggest mistake with the Wii was not going High Def.

While Socom 4 is a third-person-shooter, I think FPS games would be awesome with the Move, if they could do it right. Think back to Half-Life for a second. Remember having to use the flashlight? That totally freaked me out having to go through sections in the dark, but could you imagine using the Move to control the flashlight? Then with a flick of the wrist or a click of a button, you'd swap out to your gun and start shooting away while strafing with the sub-controller (stupid name by the way, they should have gone with the Sub-Move or something). While Silent Hill did this on the Wii, I heard that accuracy and precision really ruined the game experience. Wait, isn't that what Sony's promising with the Move?

So on one hand, I think Sony's a little late to the ballgame and that they are just trying to find a way to make some more cash by sucking us dry. On another hand though, they didn't have to go this route. They could have just cranked out a bunch of sequels to their IPs and started porting them to the PSP . . . oh, they already have. But what I am saying is that they didn't have to go after the casual gaming market which shows two things - Sony realizes that they have to expand their umbrella once again to include as many people as possible and that they have an opportunity to use the opening Nintendo gave them when Nintendo went kiddy and Standard Def.

Sony has a huge opportunity here if they play the PlayStation Move card correctly. One reason why my parents are trying to talk me into letting them buy a Wii is for those party and sports games. They look fun, and they are fun in the right context. One reason why I won't let my parents buy a Wii (other than it would totally ruin the zen like Totsuko vibe I have going in the media room) is the simple fact that I don't see any real depth in the Wii. When I try to think of some more "hardcore" titles on the Wii, I come up with Zelda, Mario Galaxy, and Metroid. While all of these titles sold exceptionally well and received great reviews - they aren't enough to make me want to play the console when family and friends aren't over.

On the other hand, there's a lot of things the PS3 offers for those great solo game sessions and multiplayer frag fests. Plus, the PS3 is truly an anchor for my media room, acting not only as a gaming console and a Blu-Ray Player, but one of the main devices I use to connect with friends and family. And that is why I think Move could actually bite into Nintendo's territory a bit. But the games have to be there, it can't be just a copy and paste type situation. Sony has to come up with something new, something big, and most importantly something fun for hardcore gamers that don't like to just play sports games. This isn't going to be a console war, this is going to be a developer war - which one has the better guns and the better teams which will ultimately make the better games.

And to answer your question, yes I will be picking up my very own Move later this fall. Let's just hope that this time, Sony's new motion controller won't be stashed under my bed like all the other peripherals of old.

Today's The Day . . .

2010-03-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Year: One
Season: Winter
Day: Five

It’s been snowing for two days straight! The Money I earned from my sales to Van is almost completely gone and I don’t have enough Fodder to last through the season. I’ve been trying to clear the snow from the fields to try and save what little grass is still alive but to no avail. Luckily, my crops have fared much better and I was able to harvest all of the Strawberries that I had planted earlier. My income has been drastically cut once again because now Miel no longer produces any milk and I have to survive on the few eggs that I get daily. I only have five more days to survive until the Spring comes but I’m not sure if I’m going to make it. It’s become a waiting game, if the weather would just cooperate; I’d be able to get more Fodder once a few rows of grass grow in. I’m really starting to hate snow.

Year: One
Season: Winter
Day: Seven

The snow has finally stopped and the weather seems to be clearing. I’m hoping that this means we’ll have an early Spring and the grass will start growing in the field soon. My Fodder levels are still dangerously low but with Van coming tomorrow, I hope I’ll be able to make enough money off of my sales to give me enough money to order more Good Fodder from the city. Thus, I focused a lot of my efforts on fishing, unfortunately I was very unlucky coming back empty handed. My luck has been rotten for all of Winter and it’s making me nervous, I’m supposed to propose tonight at the Winter Festival!

There was some good news though, when I came back from fishing, Takakura had just arrived from the city and it was time to give Miel the Miracle Potion I had ordered the day before. I saved money by using my Brown Bull Ryutaro, which is exactly what I need to be doing with all the financial problems I’ve been having lately. Takakura took Miel to the Barn and gave her the Miracle Potion, he said that now all we have to do is wait and see if she becomes pregnant or not.

After finishing up all my chores around the farm, I put on my Sunday best, put the Blue Feather the Harvest Sprites gave me in my pocket, and headed out to the Winter Festival. A light snow started to fall as I walked down the path that leads towards town. I turned back to look at the farm as I tried to decide how I was going to propose, when I noticed that there was a small patch of green in the field. I hurriedly ran over and swept off the light layer of snow to find that what lay underneath was fresh green grass. Knowing that the farm was saved, I couldn’t help but burst out into a wide grin. Seeing this loving green grass that was barely a couple inches high gave me the confidence to continue on and pop the question.

Once at the Winter Festival, I waited anxiously for her to show up. I paced, I fidgeted, and I ran through a hundred different ways to ask with none of them sounding like how I wanted it to. Then, she finally arrived looking stunning as usual with her sweet smile greeting everyone at the Winter Festival. It took me some time to finally get to greet her as everyone else in town seemed to want to talk to her as well. After finally catching her alone, I asked her if she wanted to take a walk with me up to the North Pond. She agreed and as we walked we talked about the weather, the farm, and about the various crops that I was thinking of planting for the Spring. I couldn’t help thinking, “I don’t want to talk about this! I want to just ask now!” But I knew that I should wait until we got to the North Pond, which seemed to be miles away.

Once we arrived, I was a bundle of nerves as everything from “I think we should get married” to “do you like this Blue Feather?” went through my head. I realized I hadn’t decided how I was going to ask . . . I didn’t have a plan on what to do next. As she stared into the North Pond, I stood behind her a bit, fumbling with the Blue Feather in my pocket when I pulled it out unconsciously to look at it. She turned around and gasped. I was at a complete loss of words when she asked that if the Blue Feather was for her. I could only nod and handed it to her. She told me as she held the Blue Feather that her father proposed to her mother just the same way and she never would have imagined that she would ever get a Blue Feather of her own. She hugged me and said yes then told me that she had to go tell the others. As she ran down the path towards town, I couldn’t help but think “I didn’t even get to kiss her” as I stood in shock until I realized . . . she said yes . . . Celia said yes.

Do You Believe In Miracles?

2010-02-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

It was the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice and Canada Hockey Place was rocking. It was going to be an epic showdown of Canada versus the U.S.A. - and this was only a preliminary game yet every fan in the stadium knew that it was much more - that's why over 87 million fans tuned in to watch the game. The Canadian/American rivalry has been a huge part of hockey and has only gotten stronger since the Canadian upset at Salt Lake City where the U.S.A. fell 5-2 in the gold medal game. Hockey is Canada's game and they were going to prove it by winning the gold medal on home ice, yet the Americans weren't going to let Canada have an easy ride - we play hockey too.

The fans were already rocking the stadium and cheering like they already won, because they knew they were going to win. With a line-up of the greatest NHL players (including the fantastic four from the Sharks), who wouldn't expect them to breeze through the prelims? The Americans, while containing all NHLers as well, were the youngest squad in the tournament with an average age of 26 and only three players ever playing in an Olympics before. Team Canada by far was the better team . . . but I guess know one told Team U.S.A. that. At the drop of the puck, the chant of "go, Canada, go" was deafening, then 41 seconds later the chant fell silent. Olympic veteran Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings) ripped a blast from the shot that found its way into the net after being redirected. The only problem with this goal, Rafalski is an American.

What was to ensue was a hard fought battle that had both teams battling for every inch of ice and every second with the puck. Halfway through the first period, Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) was able to tie the game up with a goal for Canada with the hopes of building off the momentum, but Rafalski wouldn't allow that to happen as he scored once again - 22 seconds after Staal. Team U.S.A. would go into the locker with the lead while Canada had to find a way to regroup.

And regroup they did. They came hard and often in the second period with a fury of shots early on but goalie Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres) came out with some stellar saves that kept the one goal lead for the Americans. But trouble came for the Americans just three minutes into the second period as the fantastic four from the Sharks hit the ice. With a classic Shark attack, Dany Heatley tied the game once again with a great goal from his usual turf right beside the net.

Again, the Americans looked to their Olympic veterans to help keep them in the game. After the Heatley goal, the Americans pushed back hard, with great back-to-back-to-back breakaways for the Americans, the Canadians, and finally ending with one last effort by the Americans. Both goalies were stellar with long-time goalie Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) keeping Canada tied until Chris Drury (New York Rangers) sent one flying into the twine to reclaim Team U.S.A.'s lead once more. Once again, Team Canada found themselves with a one goal deficit going into the third period.

At the start of the third period, you could tell the fans were shocked by the outcome of the game so far. Canada was supposed to wipe the floor with the Americans. Even some Canadian priests said that God was rooting for the Canadian team. Team Canada only had 20 minutes now to score two goals to gain the lead, the one thing they weren't able to accomplish the whole game. The Canadians came out hard, out shooting the Americans by a wide margin, but Miller was able to stand his ground. Then, seven minutes into the third period, the third Olympic veteran deflected a great shot by Rafalski into the net. Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils) just gave the Americans a 4-2 lead with 13 minutes left to play. That is when the stadium went dead with a sort of in awe kind of silence. In a once vibrant sea of Canadian red, white, and maple leaves was now replaced with stars and stripes scattered about the stands.

But you couldn't count out the Canadians, they pushed back hard and dominated for almost the rest of the period. With back-to-back penalties, the Americans gave the Canadians the advantage they had been looking for all night - and Sid the Kid, the heir apparent to the Great One, made them pay. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) was able to get the Canadians back to within one with his powerplay goal with three minutes left to play. It was 4-3, the Canadians were back in this, and the place was rocking once more.

In the waning minutes of the game, Brodeur was pulled for the extra attacker and the seemingly endless onslaught of high-powered shots began from the Canadians. It was like a shooting gallery as blast after blast came but the Americans stood their ground with great block shots from Drury and others as well as one spectacular save by Miller that literally robbed the Canadians of a game tying goal, to force the gaming into overtime. On a poorly timed change by the Canadians, Ryan Kessler (Vancouver Canucks) was able to beat Canadian Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) and make a diving sweep at the puck which send it careening into the open net. It was a 5-3 final, the Americans had done the impossible, beat the powerhouse that is Team Canada. The U.S.A. Team that wasn't even supposed to make any kind of splash, known as a test run for 2014 had just beaten the number one seeded team in the tournament.

While it was no medal game, it sent shockwaves throughout the hockey community as stunned Canadian fans could only look on as the American players flooded over the boards and to the ice to congratulate Miller on his amazing performance. With their win of Canada, Team U.S.A. became the number one seed in the tournament and best placing for the elimination rounds. With an extra day off, they regroup and prepared for a tough game against Switzerland. Team Canada on the other hand, had to play a special elimination round against Germany the next night to get into the next round.

Zach Parise (New Jersey Devils) helped elevate the Americans over the Swiss with his two goals while Miller gained a shutout to advance to the semifinals. Team Canada made some major changes including a goalie change to Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) and a trouncing of Team Russia, 7-3. Now, only four teams remain with the U.S.A. facing Finland and Canada going against underdog Slovakia. There is a very stong possibility that Canada and the U.S.A. will face off once more in the medal round but Finland and Slovakia very much have a say in whether it happens or not. No matter what the outcome, I have to say that even though it was just a preliminary game, it should be remembered as one of the best Olympic hockey games ever played and proves that you can't count anyone out of anything.

Update: Team U.S.A. was able to make it to the gold medal round after beating Finland 6-1, their opponent would be none other than Team Canada. The gold medal game was definitely a thriller, seeing Canada go up two early in the game. The Americans would go to tie the game with seconds left in the third period but fell in overtime, handing Canada the gold medal. While it was a huge disappointment to see Team U.S.A. lose, it definitely gives me hope of a great tournament in Sochi four years from now, especially when you consider that the Americans weren't supposed to medal at all. And not a bad outcome for the Sharks either, with five of the eight players coming away with medals. So, here's to Sochi in four years and all I can say is the gold medal round better be a rematch of U.S.A. versus Canada.

Ghosts, And Demons, And Homunculi - Oh My!

2010-02-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

It seems as of late, my Anime choices have been following a similar theme - Ghosts, Demons, and all other things that go bump in the night. I have never been a fan of horror, even the really light horror that is more about suspense than anything. The "BOO" factor is what scares me. When you know something is around the corner but you don't know what it is, then suddenly . . . a person appears behind you and scares the living daylights out of you. But I've found myself slowing starting to get into horror, nothing like Saw but more like Edgar Allan Poe. From books to games, comics to Anime - I've found myself slowing starting to like looking for the monster hiding inside the closet or under the bed.

Ghost Hunt was my first foray into Anime horror. Following the adventures of ghost hunting group of Shibuya Psychic Research Team as they try to solve and exorcise any unwanted spirits they come across. One thing I really enjoyed about Ghost Hunt is the various backgrounds of all the members of Shibuya. There's the leader, Naru, which uses a lot of high-tech equipment similar to TAPS from Syfy's Ghost Hunters series. You have a traditional Miko, an Onmyouji, a psychic, and a Catholic priest. All of the lore of the occult and the various ways to deal with them are thoroughly explored as each story arc (consisting of around 3-4 episodes) highlights one of the member's specific talents and skills. In all honesty, there are some scary story lines in this series, with one of them really hitting home for me since it closely resembles one of my worst reoccurring nightmares. Even with all the frights - the stories, characters, and action never get dull. With a high profile revealing of a certain character's latent powers at the end of the 26 episode series leaves you wanting more.

Going back to feudal Japan has never been so exciting now that oni are roaming everywhere and it's up to Masahiro, a newly trained Onmyouji and grandson of the greatest Onmyouji in all of Japan. I have always loved Anime set in feudal Japan but most of my Anime has always dealt with the Meiji Revolution. This is the first series that really showcases some of Japan's traditional religious beliefs as well as superstitions. Unlike Ghost Hunt, Shonen Onmyouji deals a lot of high-octane action with a lot of laughs as well. While there were no real scares in this series, it was well worth watching. If you want to be entertained while learning a bit of historic Japan, Shonen Onmyouji is definitely worth checking out.

Last but not least is Rental Magica which follows Astral, an agency that rents out mages to the public. These mages for hire come in all disciplines with a Celtic Witch, a Miko, a Onmyouji, a descendant of King Solomon, a ghost, and a guy with a really cool looking eye. While the list of characters might look a little familiar, Rental Magica definitely sets itself apart from Ghost Hunt and other series like it. The day time scenes are filled with Shojo styles (a classic love triangle going on), school, and everyday high school life. But once the sun sets, the members of Astral adorn their capes and robes to fight all the slimy things that appear when magic has gone awry. Rental Magica is the only series I haven't finished, with season two expected to hit in April. But with the jaw-dropping events that closed out season one, I can only expect to see a lot of magic monsters, glowing red eyes, and "hail mistletoe" as the series ramps up one of the more interesting story arcs I've seen in a while.

Fury Before The Freeze

2010-02-12T14:31:00.000-08:00

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver isn't affecting just the NHL players who will be competing in the games - the Olympic break will officially begin on February 15th, causing a freeze on all trading which began at 12:00pm today. There was a fury of action as GMs from all over the NHL tied up any loose ends and got the trades they wanted. While, though it's only a freeze on all trading and the official trade deadline is March 3rd, the freeze has jump started a very slow year of trading. Some big names were moved including Dion Phaneuf (traded from the Calgary Flames to the Toronto Maple Leafs) and J. S. Giguere (traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Toronto Maple Leafs). Two major players for two of the biggest Sharks rivals - it's going to be really odd to see them in the standard blue and white of the Leafs.

The Sharks GM Doug Wilson made a few deals of his own before the freeze, including one that was announced right before the freeze. From the Carolina Hurricanes came Niclas Wallin. Big number seven is a solid and experienced defensemen with a Stanley Cup ring from 2006. The Sharks were able to pick up Wallin without having to let go of any key players, only a second round draft pick in 2010. In his first three games he's already seen solid ice time as well as getting his first assist in teal. With the Sharks defense one of their weakest points, hopefully Wallin will be able a great addition to the team.

The Sharks did lose a player with the trade of Jody Shelley to the New York Rangers for a conditional sixth round draft pick in 2011. I've always liked Shelley, he's known as an enforcer, the tough guy that will throw out big hits and drop the gloves when necessary. But with the acquisition of such players as Manny Malhotra, Jed Ortmeyer, and Scott Nichol who all have been an amazing addition to the team - Shelley's role is no longer needed. I was expecting to see Wilson offload him to another team to clear up cap space. While it's a bit sad to see a veteran like Shelley go, it's a necessary move to help propel the Sharks to the top of the league and provide the best chance at winning the Stanley Cup. With a few weeks left of trading after the Olympics end, I can only speculate what other moves will be made. While the Sharks big trade happened before the start of the season (Heatley from the Ottawa senators for Cheechoo and Michalek), don't be surprised if Doug Wilson has something else up his sleeve to throw down come March 3rd.

As an addition to my previous Winning Words post, Sharkifying The Olympics, I made an error stating that eight Sharks were going to the Olympics. While not a player, I left out a very key member of the Sharks organization that will be representing Team U.S.A. - Mike Aldrich. He is the Equipment Manager for the Sharks and was chosen to fulfill the same position for Team U.S.A. While he won't receive a medal, there is no way that any team could function without this key position and Mike is one of the best in the league. As the opening ceremonies draw closer, I can only wish the best for Mike Aldrich, Joe Pavelski, and the rest of men's hockey Team U.S.A.!

Stealing Time

2010-02-10T13:44:00.001-08:00

I mentioned back in November 2009 about my new found love with the release of the PSN Comic Store. While it's only been three months since it's official release, I've already accumulated over one hundred comics in that time and thought that I'd share some of my favorites. I was originally going to write about some of the various Spider-Man arcs as well as a lot of my other Marvel favorites until I came to find that there are so many lesser known comics on the PSN Comic Store that deserve to get some mentioning . . . and here is one such case - Clive Barker's The Thief of Always.

Originally a book released in 1992, it was adapted as a three part comic in 2005 released by IDW Publishing with Kris Oprisko (author) and Gabriel Hernandez (artist). The story follows ten year old Harvey Swick as he wades through his mundane life of school, uninteresting teachers, and homework. Then one day, Rictus appears and tells him about a paradise for children called Holiday House. He convinces Harvey to go to the Holiday House and the rest of the story becomes a magically filled mystery as Harvey is treated to the splendors of his new home.

With its intriguing story, The Thief of Always reminds me a lot of the movie Coraline with a lot of similar themes and nuances. The story itself is unique as well as the way it is told. Hernandez's art is simple but gives you the feeling of something other-worldly. In many ways it felt like a dream that I had forgotten about or a childhood memory that you lose when you become an adult. While it was originally written as a children's book, the comic book adaption is filled with a mystery that will keep anyone interested and the art sucks you into a world that you will feel you have been to before.

The entire three part series is available on the PSN Comic Store and the best thing about it - Clive Barker's The Thief of Always will only steal your time, not your money because each issue is only $0.99 - making the complete series just a mere three dollars. You could only get one Marvel comic for that price and I guarantee that the quality of the scan is much better from IDW Publishing than it is with Marvel. If you haven't picked up anything yet from the new comic store, I definitely recommend looking out for the Thief of Always because you'll want this comic to steal your time.