"Abandon All Hope" (yadda yadda yadda) (source: danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu)

Just because we didn’t clinch doesn’t mean all hope is lost. We don’t have to post the above the main entrance of the Honda Center.

HOWEVER, we do need a win on Wednesday and to also shut the Kings fans up on their own barn. Lordy, they’re an annoying bunch!

I realize that being “tired” is no excuse for losing games, but dag gumb it, the guys were a tad on the worn out side and I wasn’t expecting them to win every single game going into the final stretch.

Maybe it’s the wacky weather we’ve been having here in SoCal. One day it’s 40º, then it’s 80º, then 60º, up to 90º, then down to 50º. I just want to scream a Mother Nature “WILL YOU MAKE UP YOUR FREAKING MIND ALREADY!!!”

On happy notes, Ray Emery has been nominated by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) for the 2010-11 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, perseverance and dedication to the sport. This nomination is a no-brainer considering his comeback after major hip reconstructive surgery and transformation into the bionic backstop.

From the Ducks official website:

“Emery, 28 (9/28/82), missed the beginning of the 2010-11 season while recovering from hip surgery that was performed in April 2010. Emery underwent bone-graft surgery last year to repair a deteriorated ball joint in his right hip, a disease called avascular necrosis that interrupts blood supply and results in the death of cells and bone tissue within a joint.

“Signed by Anaheim as a free agent on Feb. 7, Emery has gone 6-0-0 with a 1.90 goals-against average (GAA) and .935 save percentage (SV%) in seven NHL appearances. He enters today’s action one win shy of matching the club record for consecutive wins by a goaltender (Guy Hebert: 7-0-0, Feb. 25-Mar. 22, 1996) and tied for the league lead in wins since his first start as a Duck on Mar. 16 vs. St. Louis.”

In addition, Corey Perry has been named First Star of the Week with a nine game scoring streak, 18 point and a +9 rating. Is Perry on his way to MVP? It’s starting to look that way!

Oh, and since Easter’s almost here, here’s some silliness: