Hey, did you notice? We are in 1st place!!! The rottens of last season are leading the division. We were horrible last year, it's no secret. This year we are leading the division, and people are still complaining about this and that. Stop it!

Volchkov is a bust: Sure, he was horrible years before. He knows that. We know that. I know that. This year, he is a different animal. You are still doubting him? Watch him. His moves are great. Did you happen to see him streak down the left wing a couple of weeks ago? He roofed it from the right circle. One of the best shots I've ever seen. Don't doubt him.

Barrie Moore can't help us: At this point(12/1/99), Barrie is leading the team in points. We traded Church for him and we got Church back. Moore figures in more than anyone on the team. He's had a hard life. Check the transactions from a couple of years ago. He's a gamer. Barrie IS a Pirate. Don't question him. (I'm a Barrie Moore fan.)

Pirates penalty killing couldn't kill Brian Boru: Herr and Whitfield work together like clockwork. They remind me of the tape they showed when I was a kid, "How to Kill A Penalty." These two don't let them score. They always know where the box is, and clear the zone. Textbook, I tell you, textbook.

Coaching is too soft: Glen Hanlon may sugarcoat the losses in the media, but obviously he's getting it done. He's got many NHL teams on his hockey card, he must know a thing or two. We've had some adversity the last few years, which is to be expected with constant changes. Now, we've got a guy who has been cracking the whip for many years and he's doing it here. Look at the boys skate for the loose puck.

Hampton "Stop stealing our players" Roads callups: Dwight "The Banger" Parrish is back and showing why he belongs here. He hits every guy as hard as the next, with no remorse. He may be wearing #7 instead of #2, but he crashes the opponents without question, and will drop the gloves if anyone opens their mouth. That's a #1 player in my book. Etienne Drapeau has been all over the ice. I love that guy. He has never stopped on the ice. He plays every shift as though it was his last. Any guy who says he'll fight 3 guys a night if they want him to... Gerard Adams has played solid. I see him as a stay at home defenseman. Church is playing the way he did in junior: Bang, offense, bang, defense, bang, score, bang, fight. There is a reason he was drafted so high.

Tevor is still out: He'll be back soon. He is a warrior.

The Pirates can't win at home: Who cares? They win on the road. We get to see the best team in the division every time they come home. They will start winning at home as soon as they can. They kill themselves at home, every game. As much as we love them, they love us more.

Peluso is injured: Sure, this was a complaint of mine also. Mike has it all. He's obviously my favorite player too. He's back now, and if he can keep up the action, he'll be in the top 10 in most categories in the AHL for the season. Of course, that is if he doesn't go to the Caps.

Drapeau won't make it up here: He's still here. He skates funny and has a hard time finding the net, but, My God, can that guy bang. No fear. All character. He brings an element that I have not seen in many, many years.

The Pirates fans don't support their team: WE LOVE THE PIRATES!!! That is why, even though we've all seen the skull one million times, we still cheer our brains out when the goalie of OUR TEAM steps foot on the ice, and we don't stop until the last guy skates out of the black light. We jump out of our seats for a kick save. We get excited on the 3-3, let alone the 3-2 or 3-1. We go nuts. I know Art, Danny, and I must drive the people with tickets behinds us nuts because 10 times a period we are on our feet, yelling.

Steve Poapst and Kent Hulst should be in the NHL, doing what they do best: I agree with this one. I'm very afraid that this will happen in the expansion next summer. I know if I was starting a team, I'd pick them. I'd pick them with my #1 pick and then trade up for the #2 pick, just to make sure one didn't go to another team. You've got to love "The Guardians."

We've got a great team here, folks. Sit back and relax. There is nothing wrong with this team. They are doing what we all want: Showing up in the #1 spot every day in the paper. You've got to love our team. Tell your friends. Bring them to a game.

Any comments, refer yourself to the message board of this page.

Until next time,
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