Rabbit Hill

I had the time of my life at the Rabbit Hill Festival of Literature in Westport, Connecticut, last week! Grace Lin and I drove down to Connecticut last Thursday. Grace was one of the festival’s featured children’s illustrators. The other illustrators were Steve Jenkins, Barbara McClintock, David Wiesner, E. B. Lewis, and Mo Willems. It doesn’t get any better than that!!!

Here’s a description of the festival from the Web site:

The theme this year is Bringing Life to Literature,

featuring six creators of ground-breaking picture books

for all ages who will discuss how their lives inform their work.

Grace and I had dinner at Rabbit Hill, the home where Robert Lawson lived, with the other presenters and the festival organizers on Thursday evening. Our hosts, the present owners of Rabbit Hill, served up a sumptuous spread. The hosts gave us a tour of the downstairs after dinner. Then we headed off to the Westport Public Library for the keynote address by H. Nichols B. Clark, the Founding Director of the Eric Carle Museum. (BTW, Grace and I met Susan Thomsen of Chicken Spaghetti at the library. It was great to finally see Susan in person.)

Grace, Moi, and Susan Thomsen

On Friday, I accompanied Grace to Long Lots School where she did several presentations for students in the auditorium. The children were so excited to see her. Later, a small group of fifth graders interviewed Grace in the library…while the librarian filmed a video of the question and answer session. The teachers and school librarian had prepared the children well for Grace’s school visit. Students had made kites, paper fortune cookies, and one class even designed their own snowflakes.

Scenes from Long Lots School

Friday evening, we all had dinner at the Red Barn Restaurant. I had the great fortune to sit next to Steve Jenkins, one of my favorite authors and illustrators of nonfiction books for children. The gentleman is a font of knowledge about science and the natural world. That evening, I also met and chatted with children’s poet Patricia Hubbell. That was an unexpected--and happy--surprise.

On Saturday, attendees of the festival got to hear the large group presentations of all six illustrators and authors. We learned about their early years and how they became authors and illustrators of children’s books. Their presentations were all outstanding and unique--like the art these individuals create for their books.

After lunch, I sat in on the small group breakout sessions led by Steve Jenkins and E. B. Lewis. Steve explained his process for writing and illustrating a nonfiction book, discussed how he selected handmade papers for his illustrations, and talked about science. In E. B. Lewis’s session, we had an informal discussion about the current state of publishing multi-cultural books for children and other topics. He also showed us some of his beautiful watercolor originals. E. B. is a fine artist--as well as an illustrator. He coined the term artistrator for himself.

Then, after the book signing, Grace and I headed off for a lovely buffet dinner with the rest of the “Rabbit Hill Gang.” We decided not to drive home on Saturday--so we spent one more night in lovely Westport.

Mo Willems & Marcia Leonard

(Marcia is an editor for Clarion.)

David Wiesner & E. B. Lewis

Barbara McClintock & Steve Jenkins

I can tell you that all the public and school librarians who guided us around and drove us from place to place while we were at the festival were some of the finest, warmest, and most helpful people I have ever met. I just wish I had taken pictures of them all!

Grace Lin with two of the fabulous librarians of Westport and a young admirer.

Finding meaning in loving others like the way God loves us

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by. Trust you have had a good weekend.

I am thankful to God for giving me strength to walk with Him and serve Him.

Having bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) means I am more prone to mood-swings than the average person. I am still learning to recognize early symptoms and how to manage my condition better so that I can be more functional.

But whenever symptoms or suspected symptoms surfaced, there can still be fears and discouragement. I have been feeling very very tired the last few days. I tried to rest but I also couldn't help doing certain things. Especially when it comes to serving God and His people :-)

But I know that I must really learn to slow down and pace myself more moderately. I know from painful experiences that if I do not pace myself carefully, I may over-strain and burn-out, and then clinical depression will follow. A burn-out servant is of little use!

I am thankful to God for encouraging me through His Words as I seek Him during devotion every morning and evening. I also pray and talked to our Lord throughout the day. Thank God that He is with us always!

I am thankful to God for enabling my friend, Marja Bergen, to write her experiences and God's goodness to her in her book "A Firm Place to Stand".

I found the following excerpts very encouraging and trust she will not mind me sharing these portions with you.

It is encouraging to remember that each new day brings an opportunity to pick ourselves up, by the grace of God and move ahead. Nothing that has happened yesterday is so bad that we can't leave it behind and press on in our journey.

I am thankful to God that I can continue to serve Him through this blog as I journal God's goodness and mercies to me daily in managing bipolar disorder and the other challenges in my life.

The knowledge that God loves us and is working all things for His glory and our good, brings great comfort to me personally and gives me courage to face each day no matter how good or how bad it may be. Learning to love others like the way God loves me brings me greatest satisfaction and enable me to find meaning in life, just like the way Marja did. May you too find great joy and satisfaction in God as you seek to do His will and rest in His faithfulness, love and mercies.


Excerpts taken from Marja Bergen's "A Firm Place To Stand":

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:13-14

Each new day brings an opportunity to pick myself up and move ahead. It's a fresh start, a clean slate. The past is history.

Nothing that happened yesterday is so bad I can't leave it behind and, at least for today, look to what is ahead. I don't want to look way out into the distant future. The next few hours are all that matter now. What will I do today? How will I live today?... This is the day the Lord has made....

As I go about my daily activities, I thought endlessly about what was important in life and how I would like to use my time. I decided to give instead of take; I wanted to make instead of use. I reached the conclusion that I wanted the world to be a better place after I died because I had been there...

Once I had found God and my spiritual journey had begun, my outlook in life quickly changed. My new discovery of how God loved me and had a purpose for my life gave me a great joy. It filled me up.

I learned from my Bible readings how God wanted me to love others as He loved me. This was my desire. I wanted to give to others what God has given to me. I felt called to follow Jesus' model.

During my morning prayers, I asked God to fill me with his love and help me share it with others.

Jesus said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (Acts 20:35). This was true for me. Giving of myself was healing, and I became happier. Eventually, God's love led me to a life I could never have imagined possible in my early years as a Christian. Jesus gave me opportunities to serve that, at one time, would have been far beyond me.

And, I made another discovery: heirlooms made of cloth and yarn do not compare to caring for those around us. I didn't have to do anything grand. I didn't have to be famous or make a lot of money. Keeping Christ's love in my heart as I spent time with others and worked for their welfare was enough.

I learned to understand that whatever I do for others, I do for God. And when I give to others, I'm no longer in the victim's role.

I found meaning in having compassion and helping others. I often look back at what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' I have found the rest Jesus spoke of, and today I carry the burden of Jesus of supporting and encouraging others. This has given my life deep meaning.

I walk with God and let God lead. The unfolding adventure is a beautiful thing, one long mystery tour. I don't know where God will take me next, but I don't need to be afraid. 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.' Jeremiah 29:11. My life is in God's hands."

Thanks again for stopping by and your encouragements. Sorry if I failed to return visits to you. I am still trying to pace myself :-)

May God grant you a very blessed week!

Take care.


Related Posts:

About depression, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) and mental illness or mood disorders:
1. About bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)
2. Myths and Facts on Mental Illness
3. Treatment of bipolar disorder
4. Various pamphlets and articles on bipolar disorder for sufferer and carer
5. Recovery steps for depression and bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness

For friends and carers:
1. Helping someone with mood disorder
2. Family and Friends' Guide to Recovery from Depression and Bipolar Disorder
3. How Carers and Friends can help

Other recent related posts:

1. Trust during rough times
2. Finding meaning in a life with bipolar disorder
3. Mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder, etc) is an illness like any other
4. Video on "Depression - A Stubborn Darkness"

Catching Up With the Roamers (part 2)

Friend of The Show Terri A. and Marc-Andre Penguin provided all the pictures in this second installment of Catching Up With the Roamers. First, Terri and M.A.P. went site seeing in my stomping grounds - State College, Pa. (click the pictures to enlarge them):

Marc-Andre Penguin and I made a trip to State College today to watch the first Penguin game with my friend Sarah. Before the game M.A.P. did some sight seeing on the Penn State Campus.

1. M.A.P traveling around Penn State in the comfort of Sarah's purse:


2. Our First stop was the Lion Shrine:


3. Our second stop was Beaver Stadium where M.A.P. posed with the legendary coach of the Nittany Lions Joe Paterno:


4.Next we went downtown and took some pictures with the bronze pigs(pigs are my second favorite animal, penguins are number one of course):


5. Finally, we made it back to sarah's apartment to watch the Pens victory over the Sens. (M.A.P. cheering on his Captain):


It was a fun day and the Penguins pulled out the win to make it even better!

Then Terri sent in these pictures in from the October 16^th loss to the Capitals:

I was last night's disaster of game and thought I would send you some pics. Marc-Andre Penguin enjoyed his first game.

1. Our man Sid taking a face off:


2. M.A.P watching M.A.F:


3. M.A.F ready to make a save:


4. M.A.P. outside Mellon Arena:


5. M.A.P cheering on his Penguins:

Thank you, Terri, for sending these pictures in! There are still more to come! :)

Catching Up With the Roamers (part 1)

I've got nine Roaming Penguins stories to post today, so I figured I would break it down into four separate posts. When last we left off, Sidney Penguin was in Germany. A few weeks ago, I got word that he made his way over to Scotland to visit Friend of The Show Gill R.:

I received my Roaming Penguin through the post today and thought you may like to see some pictures. He made it all the way to Perth, Scotland. Sidney Penguin is a great little guy. He has made a friend already which you will see by the pictures.

Meanwhile, Petr Penguin took an educational trip to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh with Friends of The Show Stephanie C. and her son:

Well, today was, I suspected, Petr's last day as an Only Penguin. So I took my son and him to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, one of the nicest botanical gardens around. I didn't get too many good shots, as my camera's been finicky lately, but here are a couple.

Photo #1 is of Petr and the outside of the main building:


Photo #2 is of Petr and the 'chandelier' by Dale Chihuly that hangs in the rotunda:


In #3, Petr enjoys the lovely aroma of an orchid:


#4, one of my favorites, is my son and Petr enjoying this amaxingly beautiful day at the outside fountain. Notice the iron grip with which my son ensures Petr doesn't fall into the fountain? The tall building in the distance is the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning, a really nice Art Deco building:


Photo #5 Petr says goodbye to Phipps:


...and in photo #6, Petr says hello to new little brother Max! Hopefully they'll get along and have lots more adventures to share with the Show!

Many thanks to Gill and Stephanie for sharing their pictures with us! More are coming soon. :)

Pens v Rangers (L 2-3 SO)

It's going to be weird facing a Jagr-less Rangers team tonight. But if it means I never have to hear "Sweet Caroline" while watching a hockey game again, I'm more than okay with it. ;)

WTF. I thought we told them there were THREE periods in a hockey game? AHHHHHH!!! No, you know what? I blame Bob Errey. (Read on...)


Today marked the first time since October 2005 that all 30 NHL teams played on the same day. Because of this, the NHL expected to sell 95,000 sodas and 33,000 slices of pizza tonight! The craptacular cameras in Madison Square Garden made this a fuzzy game to watch. At times, it was hard to see the puck on the ice! Rangers coach Tom Renney must have a steel skull - he was on the bench behind his team despite getting hit in the head with a hockey stick last night's game.

FIRST PERIOD

Early on, Mark Eaton made a nice sliding save. Sid was being booed heavily. (Methinks the Rangers' fans would feel differently about Saint Siddo if he was wearing a blueshirt...) The first penalty of the night went to Wade Redden for cross checking. Marc Staal got a decent shorthanded chance on the ensuing Pens' power play, but the Pens didn't capitalize on their advantage. Just as Redden came out of the box, Darryl Sydor ping-ponged a shot off Michal Rozsival then off Dmitri Kalinin and into the back of the net. [Pens 1, Rangers 0]


Henrik Lundqvist made a few key saves in the minutes after the Pens scored their first goal. Geno Malkin made a nice move to try to get around Kalinin in the Rangers' zone, but Kalinin took Geno out with a solid hip check. Mike Zigomaniz, Geno, Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang, and Alex Goligoski had a great extended shift with a ton of near misses, but King Henrik showed us why he's called King Henrik. A fortuitous bounce ended up going right to newly acquired ex-Pen Markus Naslund on Marc-Andre Fleury's doorstep, but MAF managed to stop Naslund's backhand shot.


FIRST INTERMISSION

Equipment manager Dana Heinze took FSN Pittsburgh reporter Dan Potash on a tour of the Pens' equipment vault. It's like a treasure chest!!! All of Sidney's used equipment (including every blade from every game Sid has played in for the last 2+ years!) is down there in a corner. Geno's old Reebok helmets are down there (he's now got a deal with Bauer), as well as some equipment from former Penguins greats like Mario Lemieux and Ken Wregget. My husband said, "I wish I could have just 15 unsupervised minutes in that vault!" Haha, don't we all!


SECOND PERIOD

Flower made a few big saves to preserve the Pens' lead. Eric Godard and Nikolai Zherdev collided and went into the boards. The Rangers fans wanted a penalty on Godard but instead had to accept a slashing penalty to Zherdev. The Pens didn't score on their power play. Ryan Callahan had the puck with 2 other Rangers for a 3-on-1, but fortunately his shot went way wide. FSN showed the Staal brothers' parents in the stands watching their sons as Matt Cooke was hit with a holding penalty. Ziggy got a shorthanded chance and a chance on his own rebound, but Lundqvist stopped them both. The Rangers didn't score on their advantage.


Dupuis was backchecked by a Ranger which prevented him from getting a breakaway, but Letang was right behind Dupuis for support. He fired a shot that was blocked, but this lead to a sequence of offensive strikes in the Rangers' zone that ended with Gogo firing a shot that trickled through Lundqvist's 5-hole. Sidney was hanging out at the side of the cage and scooped the puck the rest of the way into the net. As he scored, he got run over by Kalinin and had to celebrate the goal horizontally on the ice. (No worries, though - his teammates helped him to his feet for a real celebration.) [Pens 2, Rangers 0]


Seconds after Sid's "insurance" marker, the Rangers were given a HUGE break when Brooks Orpik and Ziggy were simultaneously called for slashing and interference, respectively. MAF was a beast on the penalty kill. Several seconds after the first whistle of the Rangers' power play, a Ranger didn't quit and poked the puck over the line. The crowd erupted in cheers, but it didn't count because it was clearly well after the whistle. The Rangers were unable to get the puck past Flower, and their fans repaid them with showers of boos for their failure to produce on their 2-man advantage. Then, right as Brooksie and Ziggy emerged from the box, the Pens got the puck to Brooksie. Unfortunately, his pass to Ziggy was just a little bit too hard so he couldn't take a shot.


THIRD PERIOD

Before the 3^rd period even began, Errey made the following statement: "We're in the middle of a shutout here!" Thanks for the jinx, Bobby. We were told that Geno is the top point scorer in the NHL, followed by Sid, who occupies the #2 spot. My husband chuckled and said, "I wonder if they have a bet going this year." Sid gave the puck away which forced MAF to be on guard, but he later made up for it with an outstanding backcheck on Callahan as the Rangers had a 3-on-2. Things went downhill from there. Jordan Staal was hit with a hooking penalty, and 6 seconds later, Naslund scored. [Pens 2, Rangers 1]

Later, Siddo and Geno collided sending Geno airborne and allowing the Rangers to get another 3-on-2 chance, but MAF stood tall. But then Flower played the puck in the no-play zone. Tyler Kennedy served the penalty for his goalie, and the Rangers didn't score on their advantage. It was about this point - with just under 6:40 left in the game - that Errey criticized the Rangers for not capitalizing on their many power play chances and said, "Time is ticking away for them [the Rangers]." Okay, we ALL know that 6:40 in hockey is like 2 days in real life. There was plenty of time left for the Rangers to comeback and tie the game, and - well, we'll get to that. Brooksie put consecutive big hits on Brandon Dubinsky and Petr Prucha.


The Pens got a lucky break when Eaton got away with a blatant trip. (The fans went nuts.) Sid, Geno, and Dupuis tic-tac-toed in front of Lundqvist but were unable to get it past the goalie. Mad Max Talbot fired a wicked Lemieux-esque slapshot off a faceoff and nearly increased the Pens' lead, but Lundqvist held down the Rangers' fort. With just 33 seconds left, Lundqvist was pulled in favor of the extra attacker. Siddo missed a loooooong distance shot on the empty net, and with 8.1 seconds left in the game, Zherdev fired a quick shot to tie the game and force overtime.


OVERTIME

The crowd began a deafening chant of "CROSBY SUCKS!" which, if that were true, they wouldn't be chanting it. (Jealous much?) He responded with an amazing shot that Lundqvist had to sprawl out to block. Ruslan Fedotenko was there in front but was unable to clean up the garbage. Later, Scott Gomez gave the puck away to Siddo in the Rangers' zone. He made an unreal pass to Dupuis, who fired a shot that Lundqvist was able to stop. Time ticked down without either team scoring an OT goal.


SHOOTOUT

The Rangers decided to shoot first.

1. Nikolai Zherdev → Blocked
2. Kris Letang → Blocked
3. Nigel Dawes → Blocked
4. Petr Sykora → Blocked
5. Fredrik Sjostrom → Scored
6. Sidney Crosby → In a must score situation, his shot was blocked.

The Pens head out west next week. They face San Jose on Tuesday, and then go to Phoenix on Thursday. These games don't start until 10:30pm and 10:00pm respectively, which means I will be unable to recap them. They won't be over until waaaaaaay past my bedtime, so instead, I suggest checking out Seth Rorabaugh's Empty Netters recaps. (I'll be sure put the link up on game day.)

GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Musings From Mad Max Talbot (part 3)

The posts in part three presented a challenge to Alyse:

...the translation is a bit rough in some patches. I have inserted (?) behind words/sentences where I could not find a good translation for so some of it doesn't make the most sense... but it's close haha!

Believe me, Ali. The effort is appreciated even if a few things get lost in translation. :) In the final installment for this weekend, Max opines about Bob Gainey's proposal to limit shot blocking, the possibility of another team for Toronto, and the saga of Mats Sundin. Enjoy!


I do not agree with Bob Gainey

I did not know any of the ideas of Bob Gainey wanting to limit the ways for a player on defense, block a shot or intercept a pass me before we spoke today (?). I do not know can not be the case in depth, but if you want my first reaction, here it is: I think it's a completely stupid idea.

I wonder why the leaders of the League are always looking for ways to promote the offensive aspect of our sport. It seems they will not abandon this until the games do not end up 8-7. Is this really what the fans want? Does it really make the product more attractive? It is fine to seek ways to improve the show - it is very good - but I doubt that the idea of Gainey is a good solution.
I know some will say that I preach to my parish because the game is a little defensive my bread and my butter, but not only that.

Since I’ve played hockey, I was always taught that it was as good of a goal of flying to the opponent or to go slow. It makes me [feel] strange to see Gainey, a man who had a very successful career as a specialist in defensive play, tell me that this is no longer true.

Last year, when we met the New York Rangers in one series, I broke my foot blocking a shot. I missed the following three games, but I may have saved a goal for my team. If I were to [do it] again, I would not even hesitate.
Some people may support the proposal, saying worry about the health of players in wanting to reduce the risk of injury, but I do not think it would change much. Look at Braydon Coburn last season. He was right (?) as an oak tree when he received a shot deflected right in the face.

I also think of the referees. It seems to me that it would be difficult to establish a specific regulation to prevent slipping. Will we really punish all players who lay on the floor? In any case, I am perhaps not sufficiently informed on the subject, but it seems to me that officials already have enough to monitor.

Some want to abolish the battles, then we want to prevent players from blocking shots ... I wonder: when the ban on slapshots?

A goal which relieves

To return to our sheep, I was really relieved after scoring my first goal of the season Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. I know I'm not supposed to have ten at this time of the season, but still. Last season, I had four goals after five games and there, I look forward to unfreezing it.


As against, it is not only my goal to me is good (?). I was really happy with my game as a whole. I felt that I had been a complete player and had contributed in several ways to victory. Over the past week, the trio that I play with, Miroslav Satan and Tyler Kennedy, is on a Roll, like the rest of the team elsewhere. We won our last three matches and the timing is perfect to go on the road.

Our trip of four games begins Saturday in New York, where the Rangers will represent a test for us. Then, towards California and Arizona. Let's say I will not need my winter coat!

Two teams in Toronto: good idea

To return to the news of the National League, I know that Toronto newspapers this week have spoken of the possibility of having a distant second team in the Queen City eventually. Personally, I think it would be feasible.

Look at cities like Chicago or New York, for example, they support two teams of baseball without any difficulty. Well, you tell me that they are much more populous cities than Toronto and you're right. But I think people in Toronto are also big hockey fans just as the people of New York and Chicago love baseball.

I think the biggest winners if the idea was realized, would be lovers [of the sport]. In the bottom two teams in the same city is twice as likely to have tickets and it is also likely that these tickets were more affordable. I have several friends in Montreal who would like to see the Canadiens more often, but they are unable to find tickets. With a second team in the region, the problem would arise less.

This is sure if you ask me my opinion, I see 100 times better sending a team back to Quebec than to see a second in Toronto, obviously. Perhaps we should also give a chance to another market before thinking of adding a team in a city that already has a team.

I am against the strategy of Sundin, but ...

The season is a few weeks old and already the name of Mats Sundin has started to make headlines. If you want my opinion, I am against guys who decide to delay their return until the season has started.

I understand that Sundin is not getting younger and that in essence he has the right to do what he wants with his life. Nothing prevents him from doing what he does at this time. But I put myself in the shoes of a player who battled for his post since the start of training camp, who earns his place with the team and who gets screwed from the very first game of the season, everything to settle when a guy like Sundin decides that it is trying to play him. I think that it is simply not fair for everyone.

That said, a player is always happy to see his team improve and I am convinced that Pittsburgh would not oppose the arrival of Sundin with the Penguins. I know the guys in our locker room and I know that nobody would think to its small person (?) if management found a way to improve the club.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Friend Alyse for continuing to provide these translations for us!!! The Pens are going to face the Rangers in less than an hour.

GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Musings From Mad Max Talbot (part 2)

In part 2, Max offers up some thoughts on the firing of Denis Savard, his new teammate Eric Godard, and the tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov:


The Hawks have acted very quickly

I just learn about the dismissal of Denis Savard and in my opinion, the Blackhawks showed him the door rather quickly.

Moreover, I have only heard good reviews about [him]. Fire a coach after only four games, it's very fast ...

In comparison, I cite the example of our team. Over recent years we have had regular hotel (?) which led to some criticism of our coach Michel Therrien. But we are still in force and income and it proves to give the chance to everyone. I would say simply that it is not early in the season that a team wins the Stanley Cup.

It seems obvious that Savard has bailed because expectations are very high in Chicago. This organization has put the package together this summer with the acquisitions of Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet. I would not hesitate to compare their development with that of our team.

The Hawks rely on several good young players and they decided to set the sights high for this season.

But this dismissal remains difficult to explain because the news is so fresh.

First chapter of our rivalry deal with Capitals

Thursday evening, we welcome the Washington Capitals, a team with which we have developed a nice rivalry. Even if the Caps are not in our division, our players are always explosive against them.

Obviously, a duel Capitals / Penguins rhymes with a clash between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. But last season, the intensity had reached a level of interest between Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin during the injury to Sid. We have not forgotten the failure Ovechkin had tried to apply to Malkin.

In short, the meetings between our teams always produce excellent matches very physical or for failure are many.

That is exactly the type of game that we need to get back in the bath at the beginning of the season.

We will be ready for this confrontation since we tasted a game similar with the Flyers on Tuesday. Pascal Dupuis enabled us to win with one goal in overtime.

For now, Sid has not yet touched the bottom of the net while Malkin has collected a goal and two assists. From our side, you know that it will be very interesting when they release. We still managed to beat the Flyers without their offensive contributions.

In fact, during the last three seasons Sid did not tend to hear beautiful hotel (?). But you know very well that he is an outstanding competitor and I'm really not worried about him.

Ah yes, a little message for fans who have selected him in their pool: don’t worry, it will bounce back very quickly.

Godard has shown what he can do

To return to our game against the Flyers, our new strong man, Eric Godard threw gloves facing Riley Cote in the early minutes. I think that this fight has helped us to find our rhythm. It was not a surprise that he lays the glove side by side. I remember Georges Laraque had stated in the media that Cote is one of the toughest fighters of the League after a battle against him.

Godard is not the most imposing player, but it is surprising how it can be hard. Really, as we were impressed as players on the bench. Godard and Cote have been able to collect heavy blows, it was a duel.

Faced with the Caps, we will count on another strong man, Paul Bissonnette. He is really good, his history is very special. Last year, he played much of the season in Wheeling in the League of the East Coast.

This year, he came here with a great attitude and is a guy with an interesting personality and is able to cope on the ice. In my opinion, they will keep an eye on him.

To close the topic on strong men, I have obviously seen the first fighter Georges Laraque in the uniform of a Canadian. He gave an overview of what he can offer.

Not a false deal with Devils

I do not know if you've got wind of our performance facing the Devils last Saturday. We lost in overtime, but we did not really deserve this game. We got only 15 shots on the net to Martin Brodeur.

The very next day, Michel Therrien had prepared a training focused on the bases and fighting against a one. Honestly, it was expected that it would be such a scenario. All our players deserved it.

The death of Cherepanov

I discussed with Evgeni Malkin the death of Alexei Cherepanov and he told me he had already played against him, but he did not know him personally.

Hockey players are a big family and it affects us to see one of us die in this way at such a young age.

This story reminds me of one of my former teammates in Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. Darcy Robinson lost his life on the ice last year to 26 years after a heart problem. He played for Asiago HC in Italy and he had just gotten engaged.
It is always shocking to hear such stories and it makes me realize how fragile life is and you must consider yourself lucky to do what you love in life.

Like many of my colleagues, I find it disturbing that the team Avangard Omsk was not really ready for such an event. Although this is not the NHL, we are talking about professional hockey. I do not think we could see such negligence in the NHL.
In my opinion, a medical team should always be ready. I consider myself lucky to [be working] for organizations demanding on this side.

(There's still one more post of translations of Max's blog to come...)