Alright folks, some news, if you will.

For reasons none other than those personal to me, I have made the decision to leave 2ManAdvantage. I feel I can no longer contribute as much I would like to, and I don’t want to feel like I am screwing any of you crazy Devils fans out there.

I am in debt to Patricia for giving me an incredible opportunity to write with her and build the popularity of this site, and hopefully (and more importantly) the New Jersey Devils. It’s been nothing but fun and I want to thank each and every one of you who checked out the site every day, looked over your friends shoulder, or even just stopped by and said “this flat out sucks!” The point is, I appreciate your time. I’m sure Patricia will keep this site in good shape, as she has a never-ending vault of goodies to write about when it comes to the Devils.

Another season has ended, unfortunately way too soon. But make no mistake about it, the New Jersey Devils will continue their quest for a 4th Stanley Cup Championship as soon as the puck drops next season. I hope that all of you will continue to cheer them on and do your crazy pre-game rituals. You know I will.

Again, Thank You to all of you who’ve read, linked us, talked about us, and have said “hi” to me in person. Because of you, this site has become more than I had ever dreamed it would. Thank you Patricia for the opportunity, I hope nothing but the best for the future of 2ManAdvantage.

Let’s Go Devils!

Thank You All,
Joe

PATRICIA SAYS: Poo. Two losses in, what, three days? Le sigh.

Seriously though, I am quite bummed that Joe is leaving us. This site has meant so much to both of us, and I truly wish nothing but the best for Mr. Bechtel. I’m sad that no matter how closely I dangled the carrot, I couldnt entice Joe to stick around, but hey, all is well — he’s always welcome here to write and maybe next season he’ll make a triumphant return.

As for the site? Don’t worrk folks, I’m not going anywhere! I’ll still be writing my butt off over the summer, and we still have a lot of ground to cover, so things are still looking up. I have contacted a potential candidate for the other writer’s position, but if anyone feels they have what it takes to hang with me, shoot me an email at imnotpunk@gmail.com. Oh, that didn’t sound egotistcal at all, did it?

Alas, Joe, I’m going to really miss you around here. You weren’t just a partner for me, you are truly my best friend and I love ya buddy!

_____Congrats to the Ottawa Senators on defeating the New Jersey Devils in five games to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortuantely for me, poor little Devils fan, the Senators truly were the better, more talented team. I wish nothing but the best for the Sens and their fans — you guys definitely deserve the world right now, I’ll tell you what.

The boys have a lot of questions surrounding them, ranging from head coaches to overrated and (soon to be) overpaid centers, but we’ll deal with that another day. I just spent the night driving to and from Albany, so, as you may very well imagine, I’m quite tired.

It was a good season, folks, but the fun doesn’t stop with the (unfortunate) heartbreaking end to the year — I’ll still be around dishing out all the dirt, and Joe will be making some cameos as his schedule permits.

Once again, congratulations to the Ottawa Senators and, hey, let’s give a shout to the boys in Devil black and red as well — they weren’t too shabby all in all, right?

…disregarding the past three games, at least…

Contrary to my amazingly pissed off ramblings last night, I do not think Ray Emery is garbage. Granted, I don’t think he’s exactly the greatest invention since sliced bread, but he’s no worse than leftover fast food that has been sitting in the back of the refrigerator for that one extra day that really doesn’t make it seem worth it.

Follow what I’m saying? Cause I sure as hell don’t.

Senators fans, I whole heartedly apologize if my remarks offended you guys in any which way. You are merely watching a Devils fan who is so gosh darn frustrated with her team that she feels the need to channel that anger into yelling at others who are not (completely) at fault.

Mr. Emery happened to fall in the cross-fire of this good ole die-hard Devils fan.

Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t think “Rayzor” (as Senators fans seem to affectionately call their netminder…I thought that was Raycroft’s nickname(?)) has been particularly good in the series, but he hasn’t been awful. His lack-of rebound control has been quite disturbing, and his puck handling has also been pretty terrible, but outside of those two main components, I suppose he’s been relatively decent.

I do, however, think Ray has a weak glove hand, and I oh-so-desperately wish that the New Jersey Devils could expose said weakness, but it just does not appear to be happening.

At the end of the day, the Senators are the better team.

Yes, I said it.

The Ottawa Senators are the better team.

…oh, wait, that wasn’t a mystery? Damn. I thought I was being all awesome in admitting Ottawa’s superiority, but I suppose not. Oh well.

Alas, can the Devils overcome such insurmountable deeds? It’s possible. They’ve done it before, and they could do it again. Unfortunately, though, this isn’t the year 2000 and the 2007 Devils don’t possess the sheer heart and determination that Larry Robinson’s group had all those years ago. It’s saddening, but I’ll get over it.

I guess all that’s left for the boys to do is to, well, take it one game at a time. Hell, take it one period (and I don’t mean those yucky things that happen once a month to the female species) at a time if need be. Gotta do something here, and the Devils really don’t have time to sit and ponder what the heck that “something” actually is.

I say, quadruple shift the Zajac line and hope for the best.

…and that’s why I’m not coach.

No, seriously, I would really like to see the Zajac line out there as much as possible. If the Devils prove undisciplined once again, throw Parise on the penalty kill like he was for the remainder of Game 5. Give Clarkson a bit more playing time, and tell him that his first born will be eaten if he does not park his caboose in front of Emery to gobble up a rebound or two.

And for the love of bologna (or whatever you so happen to love), shoot anything and everything at the net! Emery is not God, despite how the Devils have made him looked thus far. He cannot stop them all, and if the rebounds keep on coming, a Devil will surely pounce and finally hammer a couple home.

Oh, and might I also add — can Rafalski and make Paul Martin the go-to guy on defense. Unlike Emery, Rafalski has been garbage.

_____

I recently got to take part in another interview (jeez, they’re just rolling in lately!), this time with the great NHL Arena. Much thanks to LS over at the Arena, I had a great time answering some fun questions about the site. Here’s a little sampling of the interview:

One On One With Patricia Greuter

Patricia Greuter, one half of the makers of 2 Man Advantage, has been causing waves in her short time within the NHL blogosphere. Her expertise in journalism and graphic design, along with a nice touch of sarcasm has been put to good use in this web-page, focusing mainly on the New Jersey Devils.

LS: Judging by the amount of type you pump into your page, is it safe to say that ‘2 Man Advantage’ has quickly gained a large audience of dedicated readers?

Patricia: The site itself has only been around since about mid-October or so, so we’re really still in the baby stages of blogging, you know? I think what really helped the site was having a large following from a New Jersey Devils message board I had been an administrator for about five years. Still yet though, we’re ranging close to a thousand readers a day now, it’s crazy!

LS: Has your blog earned you any recognition from a player, member of staff, or media personality?

Patricia: The blog has been a mainstay on the Devils’ page of MSGNetwork.com for a couple months now, which is incredible. Apparently someone mentioned the blog to Stan Fischler, who is a staple in metro area hockey, and he liked what he saw and had the blog added to the site. After that happened, we’ve been linked to the blogs of MSG/FSNY personalities like Chico Resch, Billy Jaffe, Joe Micheletti, and Rick Jeanneret among others. We’ve also recently been quoted a few times on The Score.ca.

LS: When ‘2 Man Advantage’ first hit the internet scene and readership was scarce, how did you keep yourself motivated to write regularly?

Patricia: Love of the team and love of writing, without-a-gosh-darn-doubt. I really love hockey, I couldn’t live without it. Add it with two other things I can’t live without, writing and sarcasm, and there ya go.

READ MORE OF THE GOOD STUFF RIGHT HERE! (link opens in new window)

*DISCLAIMER*: Everyone tune up your sarcasm meters and suck on some salt.  Hear me out, here.

I can’t take it anymore.  I just can’t stomach this kind of hockey in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  This is not the New Jersey Devils team that we watched during the regular season. Tonight’s game was nothing short of nauseating to watch. 

As far as Game 4 is concerned, my particular gripe is with Colin White and Captain Patrik Elias, who seems to have never figured out how to unlock the safety control on his stick that will allow him to actually shoot the damn puck.  Don’t throw that “Emery has been great” garbage at me.  It’s disgusting.  ‘Rayzor’ gives up a 9,000-foot rebound on EVERY shot that New Jersey takes, yet there is not a forward to be found within 15 feet of his crease.  It’s an Ottawa blessing that the Devils offense is so laid back.  Patrik Elias has a wonderful opportunity from just inside the hashmarks with Emery scrambling to get back to his feet, and he forces a pass to a completely covered Scott Gomez.  Unreal.  You better start hanging out with Paul Martin, Patrik, he could show you a thing or two.  Oh, and that crafty little stop, pull-up, wrist-shot move… lame.  It doesn’t work.  Just ask Jeff Friesen.

Colin White’s “ho-hum, I have all day” mentality has gotten old and gotten old quick.  He nonchalantly carries the puck around his zone, gets knocked off the play, and then the self-control goes out the window and he takes a stupid penalty.  How many times has that happened?  I can’t count that high.  Good thing we locked this guy up long-term. 

I’m not going to start venting about Martin Brodeur.  The guy has kept us alive obviously a lot longer than the team should be, but Marty, you better start caring about those horrid goals that are finding their way through you.  Seriously, hug the post, man.  Another one of those and our season is over.  If this is how the playoffs are going to look with you playing seventy-two million minutes a season, then I think a change is in order.

The envelope is open, but the winner hasn’t been announced just yet.  It’s going to take 3 solid, textbook New Jersey Devils hockey games to win this series.  Of course I have the faith, but please forgive me if it’s dwindling rapidly.

 

_____
9:51 PM ET: Oh, and I feel bad for Brodeur — he was sparkled so brightly in Game 3, and then he puts together a crapper of a performance for Game 4. What’s up with that? Ugh.

9:41 PM ET: Welp folks, that’s all she wrote. It’s been fun, maybe next year the boys can actually prove they have what it takes in the playoffs.

…oh, wait…series ain’t over yet? Could have fooled me. This one is done. All that’s left are the formalities of giving the Sens their fourth win of the series.

9:29 PM ET: Of course no game is complete without the obligatory Colin White Anger Management penalty. Yay!

SIDEBAR: Elias should be stripped of the ‘C’ — it’s just not working out. On a positive note, though, Paul Martin has kicked some serious ass lately. He’s finally developing into the defenseman he should be. Brian Rafalski, on the other hand, sucks.

9:19 PM ET: Babysteps folks, babysteps. 3-2 Sens. Granted, Martin’s shot towards the net was the first on goal the entire third period, but, uh, does this not prove something? Oh, hey I know — THROW ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AT THE NET! Emery is NOT that good. Pepper him, and drive for the rebounds, for the love of Stanley!

9:07 PM ET: Series over. 3-1 Sens. Devils aren’t going to overcome this.

8:43 PM ET: I miss my good feeling. I’m pretty much convinced the Devils will not win this series. Prove me wrong.

8:35 PM ET: Crap.

8:28 PM ET: Did anyone else’s heart just stop there when the puck nearly trickled through the crease? Whoo-boy thank goodness Marty was able to pounce his lil glove on the puck right before it was about to cross the line. Yikes. NOW we have a game on our hands, folks. This is what this series should be looking like.

I also gotta admit, Rasmussen looks good tonight.

8:14 PM ET: Yay, a power play goal…took long enough. Of course, it’s followed by a penalty. Good job boys.

Special mention to VERSUS for the AWFUL camera angle. Couldn’t even tell it was a goal on that live camera feed. Thanks guys, once again proving your coverage is top notch.

7:39 PM ET: The Devils WILL lose this series if they do not friggen get the concept of PUTTING SOMEONE IN FRONT OF THE GOSH DARN NET. Holy crap this is beyond ridiculous now. Emery is garbage, he looks like garbage, he’s playing shaky and giving up tons of rebounds…yet he WILL continue to stop the puck if not a single Devil will stand in front of him. I just don’t get it, I really don’t. Now I’M starting to get pissed.

7:29 PM ET: Well…uh…damn. Cap’n, you suck. Thanks for turning the puck over twice in one shift on the power play. Seriously.

Oh, and goal post? What did I ever do to you, really? Come on.

7:27 PM ET: Oh goal post, how I hate you right now! Huge power play for the boys…hey, every power play is huge at this point.

7:21 PM ET: If there’s one saving grace right now, it’s that the Gomez line looks like they’re flying. I anticipate a Devils goal…but, uh, they just gotta actually get into the zone for that to happen. Can’t win a game when you’re spending the whole time in the defensive zone boys.

7:17 PM ET: Even when the Devils look halfway decent the Sens still find a way to get the job done. 1-0 Sens early. Granted, Ray Emery still looks like garbage and is giving up monster rebounds, but my good feeling has really gone away already…

7:12 PM ET: In-tros-ting…Mike Rupp is sitting, David Clarkson is playing. Spark plug maybe?

7:09 PM ET: Well, puck’s about to drop. Marty says the Devils aren’t worried. Dany Heatley says the Sens are purely awesome. Okay, maybe I paraphrased…but you get the gist.
_______
Once again, it proves to be difficult to be in two places at once, so I will try my damndest to update as much as possible. Stupid VERSUS…

For serious though, I do have a good feeling about the game. I dunno, maybe it’s just me but I expect a good game out of the Cap’n tonight. He’s looked like garbage so far this series, and I gotta believe he’s still sicky-poo. Hopefully he’s bettery-poo now, cause, uh, we need him…bad.

Ray Emery is a beatable goalie, the boys just need to keep firing at him (psst…shoot glove side!) and scoop up all those juicy rebounds he seems to enjoy giving out, and all will be okay.

If not, well, it’s going to massively suck. Going down 3-1 is quite the poopy situation, and I’ll be quite sad if the team does lose tonight.

Don’t make me sad, New Jersey Devils. Don’t make me sad…

The National Hockey League has announced its annual award nominees, and surprisngly, Martin Brodeur ain’t the only Devil who got a nod!

Sure, our team-MVP received nominations for both the Vezina and the Hart trophies, but we have a Selke nominee on our hands!

And that nominee is none other than…

JAY PANDOLFO!

Congrats to Marty and Jay, we’re rooting you guys on to take home the gold…or, err, silver.

Oh, yeah, who are they up against?

Marty faces stiff competition in the Hart Memorial category, having to deal with Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo. You know there will be a ton of love for Sid and Roberto, right? It ain’t lookin’ too much better for the Vezina either as Miikka Kiprusoff, Henrik Lundqvist, and Luongo all also received nominations. Yikes.

For Pando, he’s going to have to shut down Rod Brind’Amour and Sammy Pahlsson of the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Mighty Ducks, respectively.