November! UPDATED! AGAIN! & again & again...

Hello! I'll be back to add the web sites/map links to this asap.

Houston is beautiful in the fall, no doubt about that. I hope you're all getting out there and enjoying the crisp air, the colorful leaves and election year yard signs... WUT?

November:
1 Sat. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly known as Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
2 Sun. Tasting Room Uptown 5-8 (1101-18 Uptown Park Blvd)
4 Tues. Election Day! Vine Wine Room 6-8:45 (12420 Memorial Dr., just west of Gessner)
5 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45 (2701 West Dallas, between Waugh & Montrose)
6 Thurs. Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 (4410 Westway Park Blvd) (weather permitting)
7 Fri. Special Assignment (Sweetwater Country Club)
8 Sat. Robustos Cigar Lounge 9:00-1:30 (The Gardens at Westgreen 20940 Katy Fwy, Katy)
9 Sun. Special Assignment
10 Mon. Tasting Room Uptown 6:30-9:30
11 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
12 Wed. Special Assignment
13 Thurs. CANCELED! Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 RainyRainy
14 Fri. TBA/eating worms
15 Sat. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly known as Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
18 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
19 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
20 Thurs. CANCELED! Red Balloon Cafe 6-9 ChillyChilly
21 Fri. Robustos Cigar Lounge 9:00-1:30
22 Sat. Kroger Sweetwater 4-6 (Sweetwater @ 59)
22 Sat. Molly's Pub 9-1:30 (Corner of Wilcrest & Westheimer)
25 Tues. Vine Wine Room 6-8:45
26 Wed. Grappino 6-9:45
27 Thurs. Happy Thanksgiving!
28 Fri. Backyard Tavern & Chophouse (formerly Grisby Grill) 6:30-10
29 Sat. Kroger River Oaks 4-6 (1938 West Gray, between Shepherd & Waugh)

Yet Another Shootout Win!

Rangers 4 Panthers 3 OT/SO
YAY!
For much of this season, the Rangers have been fortunate enough to be facing slumping teams, usually racking up points in the standings. Once again, however, the Blueshirts relinquished a 3rd period lead, survived a scoreless overtime, and dominated the shootout. It's Henrik that makes these shootouts seem routine, he rarely gives up any goals. (only 2 in 17 attempts! He is the KING.) And speaking of familiar heroes, how about Naslund and Zherdev both putting their biscuits into the shootout basket! Have I mentioned how much I love this song: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The boys face off against the Panthers to complete the home and home tomorrow afternoon at MSG...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rangers 3 Lightning 2 OT/SO
YAY!
Markus Naslund (2 goals in regulation 1 in shootout) and Nikolai Zherdev (2 assists, 1 goal in shootout) were the offensive stars as New York won for the 5th time in 7 games. music =yay: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
King Henrik made 27 saves and held the 'Ning scoreless in overtime and 'skills competition' (aka the shootout)
Take a look at Nikolai about to plant one on Steven Stamkos:

The boys are back in 1st place in the East, and will go at it again in Florida on Friday against the Panthers...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Nik helps and Henrik stops!

Rangers 4 Coyotes 1
YAY!
Scott Gomez returned from missing the last few games with injury and even scored an empty net goal, but it was Nikolai Zherdev who stole the show, assisting on the first 3 Ranger scores by Betts, Dubinsky and Girardi. Oh sweet music, how I've missd you: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Over on Verus Hockey Central, they happened to mention that Brandon Dubinsky's goal, assist and fight constituted a 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'. Yay, way to go Brandon!
King Henrik made life miserable for Phoenix, who have now lost 7 straight. (Some poor hockey blogger in Arizona just typed the word 'guh' in futility.)
The boys are off to Tampa to hopefully Ride The Lightning on Wednesday night...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

No offense. No defense. No victory.

Senators 4 Rangers 1
guh. Ottawa built a 3-0 lead, the visiting Rangers offense ain't makin' it...
[insert wailing, whinging, and gnashing of teeth here]
... The boys shall try, try again at home against the Coyotes on Monday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

No Comeback this time.

Canuks 6 Rangers 3
guh.
Too much Roberto Luongo (39 saves) not enough King Henrik Lundqvist (pulled after allowing 5 goals in less than a period and a half) but that wasn't the whole story. The Rangers committed turnovers that led to Vancouver goals, including breakaways on the 1st 2 scores. Who scored for New York? Who cares. Think boys, think!
Rangers in Ottawa on Saturday...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Another Shootout Win!

Rangers 2 Senators 1 OT/SO
YAY!
DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!
I should be used to it by now, the Rangers coming from behind to tie the game late. This time around, it was Fred Sjostrom putting a rebound of a Marc Staal shot. 4th line awesomeness!
When it came to the shootout, Nikolai Zherdev didn't waste any time or drama, scoring on the 1st attempt:

By now, you should all know the words to this song (there's only one!): NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Interesting choices Ottawa coach Craig Hartsburg made for the shootout; instead of Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson (their best players) they inserted thug Jarkko Ruutu and Antoine Vermette (who's he?).
Hmm, I wonder what happened:

Henrik is the King! The boys welcome the Canuks to The Garden on Wednesday...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Saving the best for last!

Rangers 3 Bruins 2 OT/SO
YAY!
Another nailbiter for the boys, as Markus Naslund tied the score in the final minute of the 3rd period. While Henrik Lundqvist was headed to the bench for an extra attacker, a pass from Brandon Dubinsky set up the Naslund's goal. All together now: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
After a scoreless 1st, the Rangers spotted visiting Boston a 2-0 lead (Hey Rangers, STOP giving up these leads, mkay?!) after 2 periods. New York finally got one back when Nigel Dawes scored with 6 minutes left in regulation. Things would go a lot easier for the boys if they could get it done on the power play. (they went 0 for 5.)
Regulation ends in a tie, overtime passes without scoring, and then the contest was decided by what one bitter commentator calls 'the skills competition'. Take a look at this:

The drama has been sucked completely out of the shootout, but as you can see the Blueshirts went first, with Nigel Dawes being denied by Tim Thomas. Wheeler missed the net on his turn, our Nikolai Zherdev hit the post (so frustrating!), and so on, until Chris Drury broke through for New York. (YAY!)
And so it all came down to King Henrik stopping Patrice Bergeron to seal the deal:

That's what I'm Talkin' About!!
The boys welcome the Senators to The World's Most Famous Arena Monday night...

Too Strong for Weekes!

Rangers 5 Devils 2
YAY!
Beating the Devils in their own building is always big, even if their future Hall-Of-Fame goaltender is out with an injury (torn biceps muscle). So it was ex-Ranger Kevin Weekes, subbing for Martin Brodeur, who gave up the 4 straight 2nd period goals, including the eventual game winner by Lauri Korpikoski, seen here in exultation:

It's time for some music: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
The Rangers were also down a key man, playing without ex-devil Scott Gomez (undisclosed leg injury?). The other Blueshirt goals were scored by Michal Rozsival, Chris Drury, and 2 for Nikolai Zherdev. There was a mini brawl after the Devils opened the scoring in the 1st period, with Brandon Dubinsky coming to the defense of teammate Dan Girardi. Dubi took a 5 minute major penalty during another brawl at the end of the 2nd. That scrum involved Colton (no relation to Bobby) Orr and Dainus Zubrus receiving misconducts for being very bad.
King Henrik stopped 30 of 32 shots. The boys will play host to the Bruins on Saturday night...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

A point. (is a point is a point is a point)

Oilers 3 Rangers 2 OT/SO
guh.
After spotting the Oilers a 2-0 lead, the Rangers scrambled back to tie it up on goals by Paul Mara and Chris Drury. King Henrik reigned through regulation and the 5 minute overtime, but yielded the only goal of the shootout to Edmonton's Ales Hemsky, and that's the way it goes. We'll take the point in the standings, and look forward to a win (hopefully!) in New Jersey tonight...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Goalies are the stars.

Capitals 3 Rangers 1
guh.
Brent Johnson held the Rangers to 1 goal on 29 shots, and even thwarted Chris Drury's penalty shot attempt, en route to being selected '1st star' of the game. King Henrik was 2nd star, giving up 2 goals (3rd goal was an empty netter) on 27 shots.
The lone Blueshirt tally was Aaron Voros from Brandon Dubinsky.
The boys welcome Edmonton to MSG tonight...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Hat Trick for the Captain!

Rangers 5 Lightning 2
YAY!
The Rangers turned around their recent power play difficulties with 3 pp goals, 2 by Chris Drury and 1 from Ryan Callahan. Drury also scored a shorthanded goal and that's the hat trick for the captain, yay! Music: NY Rangers Goal Celebration Song
Marc Staal also scored for the Blueshirts, and King Henrik had 36 saves. The boys are 3 for 3 against Tampa Bay already this season.
Some of the players got hungry during the game, and decided to exchange knuckle sandwiches:
.
The boys face MVP Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in Washington Saturday night...
LET'S GO RANGERS!

Fishstick Fiasco

Islanders 2 Rangers 1
guh.
Joey MacDonald is apparently a brilliant goaltender (35 of 36) and the Blueshirt power play is not very good, giving up 2 shorthanded goals in the 3rd period!
Markus Naslund scored the Rangers' only goal with 1:40 left in the game, after coach Renney pulled King Henrik for an extra attacker.
And to think I interrupted my Election Night Happy Dance for this? Oh well, I was in such a good mood, I didn't even care =)
So. Thursday we'll try a little harder against the Lightning...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory =(

Maple Leafs 5 Rangers 2
guh.
The visiting Rangers held a 2-0 lead midway through the 3rd period, and then gave up 4 goals in 3:30. wtf! I'm glad I wasn't watching-- this is very much like my fear for this Tuesday night, the other team coming out of nowhere to win at the very end.
Steve Valiquette got the start in goal and was minutes away from his 4th straight win against the Leafs when, as coach Renney put it, “The trolley came off the tracks with the silly passes and the turnovers in the neutral zone”. guh.
Check out the girl in the Leafs jersey; like true hockey fans she didn't give up and go home when her team was down late in the game. See her pounding the glass like an animal, celebrating Toronto's 5th goal:

The boys have a chance to redeem themselves Tuesday night against the fishsticks...
Let's Go Ranguhs!!