ParkMeadow

Hi, all. I'm an infrequent poster but enjoy catching up with all of the entertaining posts on this site. I just got a hold of two new beers that I will try tonight. My son, who is much more of a craft beer aficionado than me, is very jealous. The first is called Heady Topper, brewed by the Alchemist in VT. It's a double IPA, and is supposed to be outstanding. You can only get it at the brewery, and lucky for me, I have a friend who just brought some back. I have 2 cans, and the label says to drink it out of the can. The second is from Narragansett and called Black Imperial Steam ale. My son read a good review about it, but he lives in Orchard Park and can't get it. It has not yet come to NH, where I live, but I found it at a store in Salem, MA and picked up a big bottle (reconnasaince for my son's sake!). Heady Topper is 8% apv and the Steam ale is 9%, so if I drink them all, I won't be reporting back to anyone tonight! Cheers!

That's the great thing about opinions - I have mine and you have yours, and never the twain shall meet! I hope I am wrong, because I hate the Bruins as much as anyone alive, but we shall see who's right in about two weeks.

I get the Chicago hope, and the Bruins hate, but anyone who has watched the Conference semis and finals with an impartial viewpoint should see that the Bruins are clicking on all cylinders and should dispatch Chicago relatively easily. Rask will not come back down to average (he is as good as he's looked), but if the Bruins collectively lose their mojo (again, hope but not likely), things could work out differently...

I agree with you - Crawford will either make a name for himself as an "elite" goalie because of this series (a la' Cam Ward in '06), or he will be shown to be middle of the pack who looked great because of his team's play in the first three series. I think it will be the latter. Something that has not yet been mentioned is the role the referees will play in the Finals. If they pocket their whistles and "let them play", it'll be a huge advantage for the Bruins, as they are the masters of playing outside the rules and they'll frustrate the heck out of Chicago. If the refs call it tighter, the Black Hawks will be able to utilize their team speed and will have the upper hand on Boychuk, McQuaid and the bigger, slower Bruin defense. Hard to know how the refs will call things because the quality up to now has been bad and inconsistent. I still say Bruins in 6 or fewer games.

I have a strong feeling that the Bruins will find a way to make Kane a non factor in the Finals. He's very slippery, and rarely gets hit. Even the hip check by Doughty last night, although beautifully executed, was more of a glancing blow. However, the Bruins will likely be in his grille early and often, which will keep him working the far perimeters for the rest of the series. I hope I'm wrong, as I do not want to see the Bruins have any success in this series. However, that's my heart speaking. My head says that the way they are playing is textbook playoff hockey, and the Bruins will win in 6 (or less).

Sorry for sounding dumb, but who is Kevbo?

Can't say I'd want Bylsma, even if the Sabres could have him. The Penguins made no successful adjustments all series to overcome the Bruins forechecking and trap. And he certainly did nothing to keep the Pens from completely blowing their cool in game 1, which set the tone for the whole series. Julien schooled Bylsma.

Sharks looked pretty amazing for first two periods last night - Kings couldn't do anything. Despite that, it should've gone to OT if not for the terrible early whistle on Penner's disallowed goal in the second. Referees are pretty bad and very inconsistent overall in these playoffs.

Much as I hate to say this, since the Bruins are antichrists to me, I think they are going to be the Cup finalists from the East. I think they'll beat the Rangers in 6. The Penguins should get by the Sens in 5 (although, as the NBC announcers said last night, Ottawa is "pesky"). If it is the Bruins against the Penguins, I just do not see enough from Pitt right now to believe they can match up that well. There is very little physicality in their play, they are not getting great goaltending, and they still too often seem to be back on their heels in their own end. Even their coach admits that the Bruins have been Jeckyl and Hyde this year, including in the playoffs. However, when they get interested, look out! I am rooting really hard for any team that comes out of the West!

I wasn't aware (before this thread) that he had announced his retirement. Agree with all of the above - he seemed like a good teammate and class act. Godspeed, JH

Not so fast there, LaLa. If Darcy is still here, I think there's a good chance Hecht may be brought back!

I agree with DeLuca - the Sabres will probably win their last three games!

We are really not going there again, are we? Think we should've kept Briere and/or Drury too?

The trade deadline will be the most exciting day of this season for us ! Unfortunately, we will likely be disappointed by that,too

Sekera is killing any trade value he had

Isn't it amazing how a good hard hit by Regehr led to a little flurry by the Sabres?

Wow! I haven't seen the Sabres play in a while, but based on the first two periods of this game, they may have actually regressed! Except for Ennis (who cannot seem to finish - call him Max v.2.0) and Ott, their forwards are AHL caliber. Where is Hodgson? Has he been benched? The PP is worse than a joke. On the last one, all five Sabres looked paralyzed in their own end when the Bruins almost scored a shortie. They are totally out of synch and it looks almost beyond repair. What was up with the play where Ennis skated directly over to Stafford just inside the Bruin's blue line? I've never seen anything quite like that! Miller is on his game so far, but you can bet that won't hold up for the third period. I think they believe the Bruin's are going to continue to sleep walk the rest of the way. That ain't gonna happen!

Coming in to Buffalo from NH early AM tomorrow for mom's 80th birthday. Can't wait to get some wings! Love making them, and thanks to all for the tips, but wifey says they're too messy and it stinks up the kitchen so don't get to very often. And there is no good place to buy them here!

Getting back to the original point of this topic, i.e., Tyler Myers, does anyone else see many similarities between TM and Jay Bouwmeester? Big "puck moving" Dman, who will never become elite because of an unwillingness to play a physical game, yet constantly tantalizes the fan base with flashes of what he could be. If the Sabres ever move Myers, I sure hope they get more than Florida did for Bouwmeester (Jordan Leopold and a third)!

No, I'm definitely NOT Eddie Matz! And while I don't post here often, and frankly didn't even remember the rant that he quoted me from, I do follow this here site regularly and admire the insight and intelligence level of the regular posters! He really should have taken his quote from one or more of you all - and you know who you are! Shrader, thanks for the kind words. It was a memorable (for the wrong reasons) playoff game,and you were a good sport to sit with us old farts that night. Like most of you, I bleed a little with every Buffalo sports loss but will remain loyal to my dying day!

And I'd be very nervous if I were Billy Cundiff or Lee Evans...

Taro T brought up one of my all time favorites, Molson Stock Ale. GREAT brew, downed cases and cases when we hung out at Waverly Beach in our teens and early 20's; we referred to it as "truck driver beer"! Oh how I wish it were available to me in NH! Another Canadian that I believe is NOT exported is Sleeman's. They make a wonderful cream ale, among others, and whenever friends or family come visiting from WNY or Canada I beg them to bring some!

Another great topic! Cigars are an ideal vice in that they are legal (at least now they still are!), reasonably priced ($5-10 for an hour or more of enjoyment), and won't put you at risk for a DUI (unless you overdo an accompanying libation). In addition, it is usually a very social endeavor, as they are best enjoyed in the company of fellow travelers. Even if you enjoy one alone, it gives a great opportunity for reflection and relaxation, which most of us could use a lot more of! I often get quizzical looks and am asked how I can smoke cigars without feeling hypocritical. You see, I treat patients with cancers of the head and neck, of which the majority have smoking as a major causative factor. My response is that there are two main reasons one can enjoy cigars without any real risk of carcinogenesis : 1. As with most good things in life, MODERATION is the key. 2. Cigars are never to be regularly inhaled. My intent in posting this is not to generate a debate about health risk of smoking, second hand smoke, or anything like that, but rather to endorse the enjoyment of an occasional cigar as one of life's sublime pleasures. As far as which ones I like, my favorite is an Arturo Fuente Hemingway, although I have no argument with any of the others recommended so far! Enjoy!

So glad this thread was revived - it's one of my favorite OT's! Some great comments on bourbons (thanks, Weave) and new suggestions for single malts to try - I'll begin my search tomorrow. As far as Manhattans, here's another suggestion for everyone's consideration. If you've never had one made with Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, do yourself a favor and do so. This is supposedly the original vermouth from Italy, and it tastes nothing like the sweet Martini & Rossi types that we are so used to. It is expensive (like $40 or more a bottle) and made in small quantities. It is hard to describe the taste, but there are notes of dried fruits, dates, spices and vanilla - it is unique! However, mixed with a smooth bourbon like Woodfords, and a dash of bitters if you prefer, and you have a smashing drink (pun intended!) I can not go back to a plain old Manhattan anymore. You might want to order one out at a bar the first time, just in case it is TOO different for you and you don't want to invest in a whole bottle of the Carpano Antica, but I think you'll like it! Keep the suggestions and anecdotes coming!

This is a great topic and I have enjoyed reading every response! I have some experience in this arena, both from being old and from making educational trips to both Ireland and Scotland, where I took courses and visited several distilleries. I tried single malts in both countries that we will never see over here, and even got to taste a couple that were over fifty years old. It is a fascinating subject to learn about, and if you cannot be so lucky as to go to either country personally, be sure and read up on it! I am certainly not a snob about whisk(e)y, and the best advice I can give is to try as many as you can, because no two are the same. I agree that one cube is the only thing that should be added to single malt, as it will cut it just enough as it melts, as by all means SIP, don't shoot. My recommendations for reasonably priced, readily available, mild whiskies to start with include: Scotch : Glenfiddich or Glenmorangie - not peaty or smokey (which are a taste most work up to) Irish : Red Breast or Black Bush (by Bushmills) Bourbon : Maker's Mark or Knob Creek As this is a subjective topic based on individual taste, each of us will have our own favorites and recommendations and nobody is wrong! It is something that is alot of fun to discuss, especially while sampling some of the product, and accompanied by a good cigar! Enjoy!