Starting with 360, I was super stoked to be on the show and although doing TV makes me incredibly nervous it is really fun and a new challenge. So my first problem - I have to be honest here- was my hair. I left for the show and it was, for me, the worst possible conditions, heavy mist in the air. When I arrived my perfectly coiffed hair had morphed into frizzy, island girl, BIG HAIR. I pulled most of it back and then strolled into makeup and quipped that I sure hoped they had a straightener or at the very least a blow-drier to help me out. They had neither. Now I'm no DIVA by any stretch of the imagination but no blow drier-COME ON. I combed the bags best I could, we sprayed down the rest and the lovely makeup artist proceeded to cake on the makeup. 10 mins later I'm watching the Sharks and Redwings in the Green Room and the producer walks by and says, "don't worry they will be right down to do your makeup." :0
Yeeeeeaaah.
So the show starts and I quickly realize that not only am I the only woman but I also disagree with everyone on the panel re: Kovalev. Now, not wanting to appear like a ranting crazy lady I feel like I let a few opportunities slip by to make good points.
#1 I absolutely disagree that Saku Koivu is not a good passer. I don't know which games those guys were watching but Koivu REGULARLY passes the puck right onto the tape of his line-mates stick. Remember he did that all season with a CATARACT on his eye.
#2 Yes Kovalev had a disappointing season and I can tell you that I see him every day at practice and after a large number of games and there is no doubt in my mind that Kovalev is a competitor and is far more annoyed than you when he plays poorly. That being said, Yes he underperformed and of course its frustrating when you don't think he plays up to potential, but you know what? Players have bad games. They even have bad seasons. Does that mean fans and the Club should give up on him? I don't think so. Give the coaching staff a chance to gel with the-built-like-a-brick-shit-house-soul-of-an-artist player. He may be difficult to handle but imagine if we supported our players instead of salivating at the mouth when there is a chance to lambaste them in print.
Points about Kovalev I like:
Kovy's Kids: Kovalev picking up the torch from Theodore and pays for the loge where sick and underprivileged kids can watch the games.
He still makes jokes with the media despite their obvious desire the trade him for a bucket of pucks.
His pure skill on the ice when he is ON. He may need to be handled with white gloves but so does the Stanley Cup.
For the most part he speaks his mind. I don't buy that Kovalev is a liar. I'm sure he has fudged some of the facts of what he said in a few interviews to avoid being tarred and feathered on his way out of the Bell Center. But quite honestly I couldn't care less what he says to a Russian reporter. Short of telling the Canadiens you want out in November (Samsonov), I dont see anything wrong with a veteran criticizing decisions they were not happy with and talking about what they think they need to succeed.
Moving on to the Sports Celebrity Breakfast. I was very honored to be invited to this and sitting at a table with Henri Richard in front of me, Elmer Lach and Dollard St. Laurent at the table to my left and numerous others that I never thought I would find myself in the same room with was a really cool experience. Speaking in from of a huge room FULL of people however not so cool. Thanks goodness for Jacques Demers who snagged that microphone out of my hand before you could say "18 goal season" and he was off to the races.
Can't wait to get the pictures back of me on stage with these icons (wearing my FIERCE leopard print shoes I got just for the occasion!)
I will post them as soon I get them!- the pics not the shoes.
All in all great morning, thanks to Lorne Rubin who also represented THE TEAM and all the amazing guests that showed up to help out for a very worthy cause. (The event will support the Centre’s Med-Aid program that delivers much needed medication to seniors who are unable to financially look after their medical needs.
Hope you tuned in on Saturday! I'll get to the playoffs in my next post.
Andie
