SADFACE. =[[[
Anyways, if Facebook did, I would definitely search out the real account for LA's Denis Gauthier, and proceed with that request. Please allow me to indulge myself in sharing the message I would then send to him:
Dear Mr. D. Gauthier, Jr,
Let me, please, take this opportunity to express my disgust with your behavior.
First of all, Mr. Patrick Kaleta was not even attempting to hit you when he crashed into the boards. If you watch the replay of the event, Mr. Kaleta was attempting to hit, I believe, Mr. Jaret Stoll, with a clean hit, NOT YOU. But what do you do upon seeing this? You attempt to hit Mr. Kaleta, but in doing so, bring your elbow up to the level of his head. Luckily, at that time, you missed you check.
What you do at this point, is what infuriates me. Mr. Kaleta skates away, but yes, he turns back towards you. But you have to know that Mr. Kaleta has a reputation for doing such, and that he just came back from a semi-lengthy injury, and that he was going to be up to his usual tricks. But you just can't let it go. For some reason, unbeknownst to any of us viewers, you lose your head, drop the gloves, and instantly punch a defenseless Mr. Kaleta in the face.
Now, I am one to use the expression, "I am going to punch you in the face," quite often, BUT NEVER DO I MEAN IT. What you did classifies you as a "gutless puke," as Mr. Michael Robitaille would say. And I second the sentiments of one Mr. Lindy Ruff when I say that the NHL needs to suspend you immediately for you classless, careless, and hurtful actions. It was a despicable event which I wish was never seen in the great game of hockey.
I have one thing left to say to you; I present you with the wording from the rule-book of the National Hockey League that applies to the matter: An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria: distance traveled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season..
I have been of the thought all along that the instigator rule has to go, but you obviously fall under its range, and some action needs to be taken. I do not care how long you are out, or how much money you forfeit; only that the NHL does what they say they do, and that you are punished.
Because we all know that even if the NHL does not punish you, you will get your comeuppance because this is nothing new for you. You have a reputation for taking cheap shots and being dirty, so someone will give you a taste of your own medicine, somewhere along the way.
You had just better hope that Mr. Kaleta will recover from the issues with his eyesight, because if this becomes a recurring thing with him, not only will the Sabres remember it, but many of their fans will as well.
And yes, I alluded to Mr. Kaleta's reputation for hitting and turtling, but I do not care about his reputation. If that is what other people know that he does, it is their own fault for falling for his ploy. That is his game, and when people like you fall for it, it becomes effective. Players like you are the reason Mr. Kaleta has said reputation, because he would not have that role if his opponents did not react to his actions in a manner similar to yours.
But that is enough. I am through discussing your ridiculous actions. But if a redhead wearing a Sabres jersey ever slaps you across the face--EVER, you know why.
Good day, Mr. Gauthier.
*******
Alright, well, good game last night. We're fortunate that Ryan Miller and Derek Roy showed up for the entire 60 minutes, before the rest of the team slowly came around. Because if they hadn't, that game could've turned out widely different.
But props to the other goal scorers.
And I am very excited about Chris Butler. You always hear the rookies come up and say, "Oh, I'd like to just keep it simple, blah blah blah," but rarely do you see it actually translate to the ice. Butler actually did just that, and I was quite impressed, because I don't recall hearing his name in a negative way at all. And his post-game interview was adorable. After someone complemented him on the first pass out of the zone plays, he just went, "Aw, thanks," and now I'll always expect him to say "Golly, gee whiz," for some reason...
But anyways, hopefully we can carry that through tonight in Montreal. I'm assuming Patty L will be between the pipes since Crunchy played yesterday, but he did get the shut out, so who knows.
Like I said, hopefully we'll carry it through.
I have to work, unfortunately, so I'll probably only see about half of the game, but I'm going to bust my ass to get everyone in bed by 7 pm. Brittany is working with me, so that's good, and I don't plan on taking a dinner break tonight, just so I can get everyone in bed. I should rephrase that. Everyone who doesn't watch hockey will be in bed by 7 pm. If they watch hockey, they can go to bed whenever they want, because I'll put the game on in their rooms, and they won't mind at all.
I love the way I work. =]
