Drills continued, as usual, and Dee and Jazzy dutifully filed down to the far end of the arena. (Jazz would like to point out that this was a joint decision, as Dee wished to observe Metro and Zettler, and not just Jazzy's obsession with watching Biller at work.) After several shots were taken on Biller, he made a diving save, ended up on his back, and proceeded to stay there - again. ANOTHER nap? What DID he do last night??? Coach Wilson took a slap shot at him, which caused Biller to bound to his feet and yell something unintelligible. Whatever it was, Wilson seemed to find it fiendishly funny.
Coach called for a lap and then a huddle at center ice. Everyone gathered around - except Biller, who was wandering slowly around in the corner to the right of his goal. Perhaps he was sleep-skating; or maybe Wilson had simply told him to go stand in the corner.
Drills commenced once again. Brendan of Nazareth displayed his expertise at shooting the puck through the overturned half-tire and cones, simulating legs and blades, and scored on Biller. Dee remarked to Jazzy that she shouldn't worry about the moniker seeming sacrilegious, and Jazzy agreed, saying that Brendan is just Brian of Nazareth's long lost brother. Brendan then skated a victory half lap, and Jazzy could swear she heard him whistling "Always look on the bright side of life".
As the drills continued, Biller made another diving save, this time ending on his back, head toward center ice, and feet in the air. He remained in this position for the next 3 shots, stopping the puck with his uplifted skates. When he stood back up, Metro scored on a lovely pass (one of several beauties by Metro on Biller this day), and Biller launched his stick into the air like a baton. Needless to say, these antics produced much laughter both on and off the ice. Dee and Jazz were nearly in tears.
The last of the drills was of the "everyone try to score on the goalie" variety. Dee and Jazzy noted that the D guys were - quite literally - standing around in front of the goal, while the O guys chased the puck around. Biller stood tall (well, as tall as Biller can stand), even stoning both of the Tims. It took a good 7-8 minutes for them to score on him, after he had stopped about 30 shots. The puck was only cleared twice. (And we wonder at Olie's GAA). During this "mini-game", Biller began to give a play by play of his performance. Dee and Jazz distinctly heard "Oh, What a SAVE!" and "Unbelievable pressure!" Olie observed the entire spectacle from the bench area, laughing his ass off.
Sylvain Cote wins the best sport award. Once the ladies realized (after he had passed them and was in the parking lot) that he WAS Sylvain Cote, a bonafide hockey player, they asked him to pose with the fish. He obliged, holding it up like a trophy. Apparently, several others who were blocked from I/O's vantage point on the grassy knoll by a delivery truck, agreed to be photographed "au poisson". Then, Jagr came out. He was completely confused by these young ladies' desire to have his picture with a fish. "What do you want me to do with it?" He had his usual constipated look in the photo, from all reports, and I/O is sure that the finished product will find it's way to a website near you. After the deed was done, a desperate Jagr stepped onto the asphalt, yelling to his driver in Czech - who seemingly ignored his repeated bellows. Jagr proceeded, after 3 summons had been issued, to stalk across the parking lot toward his car. ( Well, as much as one can "stalk" in black loafers with no socks.) Jazzy felt Jags needed a positive note on which to leave, so she said to him as he stalked by, "It's been great fun watching you play, lately, Jaromir!" "Thanks."
Witt was surprisingly "witty", giving "Wanda" a big smooch. Jazzy suspects that Brendan of Nazareth was just relieved that no one was expecting him to feed the thousands with loaves and fishes. Dee suspects that it only works in Israel, anyway. Simon wanted no part of the pillow talk, and made no bones about it. I/O suspects if it's not a bloody moose, it's not worth his time.
Joe Beninati made an appearance today, though we nearly missed seeing him until he emerged from between the cars. Olie nicely gave a videotaped interview to 2 young men who appeared to be working on an assignment of some sort. He was rather preoccupied, between the taping and his fish encounter, so when Jazzy asked for his signature on a photo of himself and Biller, he signed next to Biller. Grrrrrr.
By this time, most of the guys had come out, including Tim Hunter, but Biller was still MIA. Buzzards were circling a field behind Piney, causing Jazz to speculate that perhaps Biller was napping again, and they thought he was dead. Dee's theory was that he was still on the ice, having been run over by the Zamboni. Finally, Biller mosied out, laying both theories to rest. Jazzy asked if someone had awakened him from his nap. Looking dazedly at her, he replied, "What nap?" (He sure LOOKED like he'd just woken up!) Jazz referred him to his frequent snoozes on the ice today, to which he replied "Nah, I was workin' HARD out there!" Jazz insisted that she had observed his naps between his "hard work", but he insists that these unorthodox positions are merely tools of the trade. He nicely signed the photograph next to Olie's image, telling Jazz that he was confident she would know who was who. Jazz expressed concern over whether he was awake enough to drive home, and he shook his head and laughed out loud.
Jagr's butt is large and nicely rounded; for those who asked for a report, this was the consensus of the staff in attendance. Note: "Stalking" is a prime gait for GB analysis.
Dee was able to deliver a birthday greeting to Rob Zettler, to which Jazz added a wish that he get a nice win as his gift.
HONORABLE MENTION: Witter, for kissing a fish. Cote, for his good natured pose.
WHO'S SNOT: Olie - for mis-signing Jazzy's photo. (yes, folks, you heard it here, first. Jazz made Olie a Who's Snot)
HONORABLE MENTION: Jeff Halpern, just because.