#Bruin Slater

[hoardcloneheadcanons]

Misread Fates Chapter 6: The Honest Words of a Heartless Man

You know I don't have to die to fulfill my fate, right? I just have to fail. You don’t have to kill me for this to work.”

“Oh, is that what this is- a plea for your life?” Phillip shrugged, “It’s better to be on the safe side of destiny, besides you know too much.”

A skip happened in Bruin’s brain.

“I wouldn’t have known so much if you hadn’t blabbed to me the moment I woke up, “he thought “ You could have lied. You’ve lied to everyone why didn’t you lie to me?” 

The days passed by surreally as Bruin healed slowly from his wounds. So many questions stayed stuck on Bruin's tongue, lost to sleep, and a lack of focus. So many times passed when he built up the courage to ask the Prince more questions before someone new burst into the room: either Mordecai or one of Phillip’s private guards coming to change shifts with him.

Bruin tried to ask them for answers but they remained silent as stone.

Then the day of the feast came.

Bruin finally, finally got to a point where he could stay awake for an entire day without his eyes crossing, or nearly faceplanting into his soup. And apparently, the townspeople were chomping at the bit to meet him and thank him, because the moment they trusted him to hold up a spoon and eat on his own there was a feast held in his honor.

He was still half covered in bandages, and his skin, while no longer in pain, was discolored, and he was unsure if his eyebrows would ever come back, but they seemed happy to meet him anyway.

Men came up to him with choked voices, and either shook his hand or gave him a (gentle, very gentle) grasp of the shoulder. Women put soups and casseroles in front of him, much of which was dragon meat, and he got a nice leather coat from the tailor, made of the leftover supplies of cowhide. 

“I would have made it of dragon leather, but I’m still figuring out its properties and how to work with it. I could only added a little of it in the details of the collar and the hem.”

The worst were the children, they almost broke Bruin.

A little girl showed him the new coat her parents had bought her. She did a little spin so he could see it all. Her dress had holes, but she had a brand-new coat and boots for the winter. She gave him her favorite rocks from her collection, including one that she found on the first night she was allowed to go outside after dark. She said it was blessed by the moon.

Then a little boy came up to him and said he wanted to be as strong and as brave as Bruin one day. Bruin nearly broke down crying in front of him,

Luckily the boy’s mother saw the glossiness in his eyes and quickly distracted the boy, pulling him away to greet their neighbors.

His face would never be the same, his family was in danger, and he’d broken his promise to his father to try and stay alive- but this. This was worth it.

He could breathe and tell himself it had to happen.

……

Bruin was flanked the entire night by Mordecai and Phillip. Mordecai gave him helpful tips about who everyone was while Phillip watched.

It was constant notable surveillance. To the passive onlooker, Phillip looked like the ever-cheerful and proud prince tending to his fighter. To the crowd, he might have looked like a little bit of a glory hog, remaining untouched and squeaky clean, while Bruin was toasted, but he seemed harmless and friendly enough.

Only Bruin felt the hand on the small of his back, ready to press in if he said something slightly out of turn. The Prince’s private guard around the room also remained ever-present. They were at ease, but none of the drinking, all were watching, and quiet, standing out from the revelry in their uniform greys and blues.

Bruin stayed at the party as long as he could. Not speaking as much, but watching, being on the sides, and distracting himself from his impending second death.

But he steeled himself, there was much to discuss and he needed a moment alone with Phillip.

Bruin attempted to fake a yawn and put a hand on Mordecai’s shoulder. He didn’t have to do much to fake it, he was already halfway gone.

“I think I’m getting worn out for the night. Thank you, for bringing me to this, for everything, but I should go back to my room and rest. You stay and enjoy the time with your friends, I’ll have Prince Phillip take me up.”

Mordecai looked stunned and… concerned? Was he over-acting? Did he seem too tired for his state of healing?

��Are you sure- I’m not sure that’s a good idea- It’s still a process bringing you to your bed, you should have someone of medicine around to make sure you can get in bed without putting undo pressure on your wounds.”

“I’ll be fine.”

In Bruin’s peripheral, he could see Phillip give him a side eye. He was ignoring it.

Mordecai looked hesitant”

“I still don’t think- it’s a two-person job really and-“

CRACK

Mordecai’s attention was drawn to Viesel the Tailor, who’d just fallen off a table he’d been dancing on, and was slowly getting to his feet woozy with blood already dripping down his temple.

“Oh, spirits Smith in his cups again. Between you and me, he shouldn’t be dancing sober. I need to tend to this. Phillip can bring you to rooms, but I’ll be up to check on you as soon as I can, this shouldn’t take more than an hour or two

Bruin turned to the Prince,

“Sire, can you bring me up to my room?

His smile was a perfectly arranged decoration.

“Why certainly- I can call over one of my guards-“

“Pleas,- I’d like to talk about the consequences of me- leaving my post while going on ahead.”

The prince looked ready to refuse him, and so Bruin said under his breath,

“Or should I tell them there was never a post, to begin with.”

The prince narrowed his eyes before his placating smile crawled back onto his face,

“Of course, I can understand wanting privacy, for such a delicate issue,” and then a bit louder, “Anything for our nation’s finest soldier.”

Phillip and one of his guards left the party with Bruin. The wheels of his transport crunched in the gravel as the prince pushed him forward towards the inn.

The town didn’t have a ready invalid’s chair, so Bruin was in a wheelbarrow.

“So,” said the prince, his voice creating warm clouds in the cold evening air, “What did you actually want to talk about?”

You know I don't have to die to fulfill my fate, right? I just have to fail. You don’t have to kill me for this to work.”

“Oh, is that what this is- a plea for your life?” Phillip shrugged, “It’s better to be on the safe side of destiny, besides you know too much.”

A skip happened in Bruin’s brain.

“I wouldn’t have known so much if you hadn’t blabbed to me the moment I woke up, “he thought “ You could have lied. You’ve lied to everyone why didn’t you lie to me?” he thought. But he persisted 

“I’m fairly good at keeping my mouth shut. I don’t talk a lot.”

“Excuse me if I don’t take your word on that.”

Bruin shook the failure off and continued forward, desperate to get any information he could

 “Where are my parents?”

Phillip gave out a half-bark of a laugh

“I don’t really have a good reason to tell you that,”

“I could run. I could just tell them you’re lying and then run.”

“That’s what the guards are for,” said Phillip, the boredom towards the questions seeping into his voice

“I could kill myself before we ever get there, make you unable to use my fate.”

“Then I have no reason to keep your family alive. Would I? Maybe I have them, maybe I don’t. Are you willing to take that chance? You don’t seem like a gambling man to me.”

He wasn’t. He’d had a plan, for so long he’d had a plan and now he had nothing. His body was broken and all he had to use was his unpracticed words.

“I-“

Bruin gave a grunt, a half-aborted scream.

“Can you tell me where we’re going next, at least”?

“We’re staying here for a while you heal. Then we’re going to take you somewhere where people can just slowly forget about you until we can find a monster stronger than a dragon.”

 “There aren’t any.”

“I’ll let our experts at the castle be the judge of that, besides, it doesn’t need to be more threatening than a dragon it just needs to seem like it is.”

Bruin tried to calm his rage- he couldn’t be threatening in this state, the best he could hope for was calm- and he was barely managing it.

“Do you know how long that will be?”

 “No.” He said. “I don’t.” Bruin hear spittle and gritted teeth behind his head” Certain current circumstances make the particular task difficult. My mother has a few contacts she’ll be pulling, but Spirits know if they’ll find anything.”

There was a rage in his voice but for once it didn’t feel directed at Bruin. It was that small moment of weakness that made Bruin want to jab at him a little.

Bruin craned his neck around to look at the prince and the guard behind him.

“So you know your mother paid off the dragon to eat everything.”

 The wheelbarrow stopped. The prince’s eyes shot daggers, while the guard beside him looked startled, and he looked back and forth between the faces of Bruin and the prince.

Before he could say much Phillip had him in a headlock,

“You’ve just disproven that you can keep your mouth shut. I’ll ask you kindly to keep that information to yourself.”

“Or what? You’ll kill me?”

“You know exactly who I’ll kill. That’s the fun part about multiple hostages. You don’t have to keep all of them alive.”

“So much about your mother- Does your father do anything?,” Choked out Bruin.

Something about being near royalty made Bruin want to be an asshole. He expected to be choked out for that one, but Phillip loosened his grip and started chuckling, slapping Bruin’s shoulder as one would a knee. It stung.

“Have you just figured out my father is useless? Funny, I’ve known for so long. Though I suppose it is impressive. You learned from a distance. You haven’t even met the man.” His bitter chuckle got lower in pitch.

Bruin could feel Phillip’s breath on his shoulder, as he talked quietly, just to him.

 “Do you know- It’s his fault this is happening to you. We wouldn’t have needed you if not for him. My siblings and I should have been able to go out slaying together with the knowledge that at least one of us could kill the beasts. We should have been certain at least one of us had the fate. And it would have been that way if my father had not slept with the entire countryside. My mother has been cleaning up his mess ever since. She shouldn’t have had to. Our fate should have been guaranteed. Instead, we had to use you, and you might be one of his bastards for all we know. ”

Bruin clenched the word pathetic in between his teeth. He wanted to scream, “YOU STILL HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES! YOU STILL HAVE ALL THE GUARDS! PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU FOR NO REASON, YOU ARE ON THE THRONE FOR A LIE.” And even more, “HOW DARE YOU EVER IMPLY MY MOTHER WOULD TOUCH YOUR FATHER.” But all the thousands of words choked up in his throat and made him frozen and shaking and rage.

Phillip stood up and started pushing the wheelbarrow again.

 “You know it’s relaxing being around you, Slater. I don’t have to lie to you. I’ve never had that with anyone. It’s nice.”

…………………………………………

Bruin stewed his head as the weeks went by and he was slowly divested of his bandages.

He was going to die again. Phillip was determined to have it happen.

And his thoughts drifted to his mother’s words to him.

“You are not dying for nothing.”

Well, he tried, hadn’t he? He tried to stay alive for his father and now he could only keep his word to one of his parents. And his thoughts rolled toward how… similar Phillip was to the dragon.

He was sentient. He had wants and desires, and he also gave every indication that he would continue to destroy lives easily and swiftly for as long as he lived.

So there was a very simple and brutal way to make his second death count, and it was one Bruin was hesitating to do.

 It was a line he’d never thought of crossing before. It would risk his family, though he suspected their lives were forfeit regardless of what he did

His mind drifted to the time at the party and the relief on everyone’s faces.

He wanted to be the source of it again. He didn’t want them under Phillip’s thumb.

………………

Bruin spent the next few weeks waiting. Waiting, to be strong enough. Waiting for his arms to be strong enough to hold a knife and move it in a swift motion, or to knock off some of his medications in the wrong place, when there was no one else around.

Waiting o feel certain he was making the right choice.

He found himself living Phillip’s lifestyle, smiling and trying to keep a face in public while dark thoughts swirled in his head.

He may have done it, if the innkeeper’s wife, Margret didn’t intercede.

Margret had taken on the task of feeding him. She wasn’t the only one, many people had shown their gratitude in the form of soup, but she was the main one.

He liked Margret. She’d talk for a very long time about the going-ons of her family while he ate. He liked her stories. And he didn’t have to talk while she did. She was a stout woman, solidly built, but she probably came up to his collar when he stood at full height. It meant having to crane his neck when she sat next to his bed.

He felt awkward about not doing anything in return for her, so at one point he tried to hobble himself outside to help weed her garden before she dragged him upstairs and reminded that he killed a dragon, they were still paying him back, and he was still healing. She was strong despite her size.

If the prince was around when she visited Bruin, she’d feed him too. She called him such a charming handsome young man and said she wanted to thank him for taking such good care of her homeland. She joked about wanting to get into his good graces.

It made Bruin want to scream. She didn’t know, he wanted to tell her but he couldn’t. He couldn’t even find the privacy to write “Don’t trust him” on a slip of paper and slide it to her.

So it wasn’t a surprise when Margret came up with two large bowls of steaming squash soup and a cask of nice ale.

It was a little surprising when the prince began to gently snore in his chair. But Bruin assumed he’d done it to avoid talking to Margret as he had done several times, by excusing himself from the room or switching duties at the right time.

He was surprised when Margret bunched up her skirt slightly and gave a swift kick to Phillip's shins.

That was when Bruin’s world turned sideways.

The prince didn’t wake up. Margret gave him another sharp kick just to be sure, then dropped her skirts and smoothed them out.

She turned her sunny face towards Bruin. “Ah good, it's working!- now I’m sure you have plenty of questions and I’ll answer them in just a second.”

She bustled her way over to the door, her shoulders tight with visible excitement.

“Johanson, you can come inside! The man is out cold.”

A large man with a coal-black beard came to the doorway. He filled the entire frame. He came into the room tip-toeing.

Margret gestured towards the giant, “This is my brother, Johanson, have you met him yet?”

Bruin’s eyes widened, “Yes, I have- you were the one who told me about the most fire-resistant materials- I bought arrows and a crossbow from you.’

“Glad to be remembered! My sister and I were worried about you.”

“Sister-“ Bruin’s eyes flicked back and forth between them. Where Margret was a head shorter than him, Johanson was a head taller. But on closer look, they had the same apple cheeks and when they smiled and the same hair bordering on frizzy and large biceps. They were definitely related.

There were chairs to the side of Bruin’s room that were used for visitors. The two siblings pulled them out and sat them close to Bruin.

Margret steepled her hands, “A few years ago our sister got married. You might have seen her, she runs the butcher shop- she’s tall, with dark hair, and big arms. He was a poncy fellow and we didn’t like him. We never got to see her when he wasn’t there; he never let her leave the house alone. And she was always quieter around him and didn’t smile as much as she did when we grew up with her. The man never let her leave the house alone, and she was too polite to say anything in front of him. We did this same thing to him.”

Johnson nodded sagely at his sister, “ I started to get worried. You didn’t talk like you did in my shop the first time we met. I thought it was just healing- but he never left you alone, and you don’t act like one of those guards of his. And I asked So-“

“-So he told me I made some of my special drink and here we are. He should just think the drink was stronger than he expected and the meal too heavy.”

Johnson nodded his head towards a large hammer he’d left as a doorstop, “ I also brought my Bessie just in case. I’m hoping we don’t have to use her. She leaves marks and it’s a bit riskier.”

 “So first things first,” Said Johonason, “Are you in any danger?”

Bruin had a thousand things to say. – an emphatic yes- and explanation that he’d been in danger since he was born- the fact the prince was a heartless bastard.

He looked back and forth quickly between the siblings and the sleeping Prince.

He stuck with, “He has my family-or, he says he does. And my mentor”

Margret and Johonason had mirroring looks of sympathy and surprise.

“Shit- Is that why you fought the dragon?”

“No- that was mostly my decision. The royal family did ask me, and I did suspect my family might be in danger if I didn’t. But they weren’t taken hostage until after I defeated it.”

“Why did they ask you?” said Margret “You’re so young- and you didn’t have anything when you came here. Are you actually one of his guards?”

“No. That was a lie. They asked me because if I fail they win. My family's fate is… interesting. Supposedly I’m supposed to fail to defeat a large monster and the person who fights after I fight is supposed to win.”

“Oh, that’s a bad one. We just have one of us works in the mines and whistle some every generation.”

A light rapping on the door interrupted their conversation.

“Margret, I’ve brought medicine, why is the door locked?”

“Oh that’ll be the doctor; I should probably let him in.

It was fairly common for Mordecai to step away while Margret was in the room, taking his necessary breaks and tending to patients outside of Bruin. It never occurred to Bruin until now that two seemed to be on shifts around him, never leaving him alone with the Prince or the guards.

Mordecai was greeted with the tableau of an unconscious prince and Johanson sitting close to Bruin with Margret’s empty chair right next to his.”

“What have you two done?”

Margret was the wave her hands in a ‘relax, shushing motion’

“I just slipped him a little of the herbs you gave my husband for his insomnia. He’ll be fine.”

Her voice went a little high on the fine.

“You’ve drugged a member of the royal family. Margret, you could be arrested or executed for this.”

“Mordecai,” Interrupted Johan, “He’s not a soldier.”

Mordecai squinted at Bruin, “Then why in the hell were you fighting a Dragon?”

Bruin caught him up to where he’d led the siblings. Mordecai had a few more specific educations in relation to his actual education and training and he filled him in as best as he could, leading right back into his new deal with the prince.

“He wants me to fight something stronger than the dragon and fail so that he can defeat it and look stronger and needed. He’s hoping- I think he's going to arrange it so that I die.”

The wind whistled through Johanson’s teeth.

“I thought it might be something nasty. That man washes his hands when he has to touch us. And nothing he’s said has quite added up.”

“I’ve been thinking about killing him.”

He said it quietly but it resulted in the two gentlemen beside him exploding.

“WOOAH WOAH WOAH. You could be- you will be executed for that. How old are you?”

“19”

“That’s too young to throw your life away,” Sputtered Mordecai, “You just survived a life-threatening situation. Don’t be so eager to dive head first into another one.”

“He’s going to kill me anyway.”

“There are a few more solutions. We can smuggle you out of here. Fake your death, there are options,” Johan looked exhausted.

“But my family-“

“We’ll check on your family. I have family in the capital, and we’ll send someone to your hometown. Let’s see if there’s some way we can get them safe before you do something drastic.” Mordecai let

While the two gentlemen looked frantic Margret looked considering, “It’s not the worst idea though. If he’s as bad as you say he is. We just need you to not get caught. Maybe frame bandits on the road, fake a disease. Something that doesn’t get back to us.”

“Margret stop talking about assassination attempts in front of the young man.”

Margret waved him off, “He was already considering it. And 19 is plenty old enough to kill a man. He just shouldn’t do it alone. The poor thing is till invalid.”

And just like that. The world was lighter; Bruin had a possible future again.

He really needed to get better at talking to people.

………………….

After that, he felt like he was lying less, and his smiles were more easier and more honest. He’d gotten a small talent for reading the Prince’s smallest expression and now he’d needle at him and wait for irritation, while he watched people exchange items and necessary information.

They helped him, because he mattered to them.

He liked that.

[mattpoitrass7thgoal]

I know this is niche one so here is the reasons why for each Bruin being what wrestler. This doesn’t have to do with appearances more character, entrance music and overall performance.

Charlie Coyle: John Cena is a classic good guy and also is from Mass

Jake DeBrusk: Scott Steiner, I know what your thinking who? Scott Steiner is famous for his math speech where he takes his 75% chance of winning and then adds his 66 2/3 per cents to get to him having a 141 2/3 chance of winning at sacrifice. All I know is that if I had to watch Jake do math it would go along the lines of this speech.

Nick Foligno: Stone Cold Steve Austin=bald and a badass, Nick Foligno= bald and a badass sometimes

Derek Forbort: Goldberg, Goldberg never loses he also makes dumb decisions. I’m now respect the epic highs of Forbort Hockey he never has lows now.

Trent Frederic: Mankind, most famous for doing crazy stunts like getting thrown off the top of the steel cage multiple times. This guy just keeps making bad decisions so he can fight which suits Trent

Brandon Carlo: Kevin Nash otherwise known as big daddy cool diesel, honestly I gave him this guy solely because his nickname.

Matt Grzelcyk: Rob Van Dam, small and agile guys. Also out of all the bruins the one I would pick to randomly appear in a syfy shark film like Van Dam has done would be Matt.

David Krejci: The Undertaker, a person that’s just been around a long time that is consistently good. Also I feel like Krejci would have a random motorbike phase like the undertaker did.

Charlie McAvoy: Randy Orton. He has a nickname that is the legend killer and the amount of veterans of seen McAvoy ass check to oblivion I feel like he earns that title.

David Pastrnak: Ric Flair, always had the most over the top beautiful robes just like pastas suits

Jeremy Swayman: Kurt Angle who is an Olympic gold medalist, famous for winning with a broken neck. The only American I could think of here with any type of Gold medal was Sway. Wait I just done research and he won Bronze, I’ll change my reasoning too that how he is getting treated now is the same as fans chanting ‘you suck’ in time with Kurt Angles entrance music

Pavel Zacha and Jakub Zboril: Edge and Christian. One of the best tag teams to exist, childhood friends like our two boys (not the tag team parts just the friendship part).

Hampus Lindholm: The million dollar man Ted DiBiase…..have you seen Lindholms contract?

Tomas Nosek: Rowdy Roddy Pipper, Nosek is one of the rowdiest players I’ve seen, he lives for the drama

Connor Clifton: Cactus Jack/ Mick Foley. This wrestler is also Mankind (see Freddy) but this is another one of his egos which is hardcore which suits Cliffy hockey.

Mike Reilly: Heath Slater, classic loser just a jobber. Mike was on my template so I had to find someone that suits my boy.

Craig Smith: The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. Shawn Michaels is my all time favourite, his entrance music is sung by himself and is called sexy boy which suits Craig.

Brad Marchand: Chris Jericho, 2 Canadians that people hate

Linus Ullmark: The Big Show, solely for the entrance music which says that he is gonna give you a show.

Patrice Bergeron: Bret ‘the hit man’ Hart. Famously Hart has a quote that is ‘the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be’ which is how I would describe Bergy

AJ Greer: CM Punk, one of the best heels there is. And i feel like Greer just knows how to taunt like him

[fromthe-point]

NHL Transactions - Jan.11

Philadelphia has traded forward Jordan Weal to Arizona in exchange for defenseman Jacob Graves and 6th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Chicago has traded defenseman Jan Rutta and a 7th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to Tampa Bay in exchange for defenseman Slater Koekkoek and a 5th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Boston has traded defenseman Cody Goloubef to Ottawa in exchange for forward Paul Carey.

Pittsburgh has signed goaltender Casey DeSmith to a three-year contract extension. The deal begins with the 2019-20 season with an AAV of $1.25 million until the 2021-22 season.

[mysticalhearth]

Mama Mia

Mamma Mia! - Berlin - October 12, 2007 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Claudia Stangl (u/s Donna), Betty Vermeulen, Iris Schumacher, Melanie Ortner, Detlef Leistenschneider, Andreas Lichtenberger NOTES: A technical run-though a couple days before the Berlin premiere. It runs pretty smoothly for the most part, but there are a couple hiccups. Most notably are that the cast practice Under Attack during the interval and the set gets jammed during the Summer Night City scene change (just after the Winner Takes it All). One of the better quality stage shot videos. There's almost no spotlight washout and the neon floor is included in this video. Mamma Mia! - Brazil - June, 2010 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Kiara Sasso (Donna Sheridan), Pati Amoroso (Sophie Sheridan), Saulo Vasconcelos (Sam Carmichael), Cleto Baccic (Harry Bright), Carlos Arruza (Bill Austin), Thiago Machado (Sky), Rachel Ripani (Tanya), Andrezza Massei (Rosie), Priscila Marques (Ali), Raquel Paulin (Lisa) Mamma Mia! - Broadway - January 26, 2006 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Lauren Mufson (Donna Sheridan), Carey Anderson (Sophie Sheridan), John Dossett (Sam Carmichael), David Beach (Harry Bright), Mark L Montgomery (Bill Austin), Andy Kelso (Sky), Judy McLane (Tanya), Olga Merediz (Rosie), Ben Gettinger (Pepper), Olivia Oguma (Ali), Samantha Eggers (Lisa) Mamma Mia! - Broadway - November 21, 2012 (Lanelle's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Judy McLane (Donna Sheridan), Christy Altomare (Sophie Sheridan), Victor Wallace (u/s Sam Carmichael), Graham Rowat (Harry Bright), Daniel Cooney (Bill Austin), Zak Resnick (Sky), Felicia Finley (Tanya), Laureen Cohn (Rosie), Natalie Bradshaw (u/s Ali), Thomasina Gross (Lisa) NOTES: Performances in this video have previously been incorrectly attributed to Aaron Lazar (Sam) and Monica Kapoor (Ali). Does not include the curtain call or bonus songs. Mamma Mia! - Essen - May 10, 2007 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Lone van Roosendaal (Donna Sheridan), Romina Langenhan (Sophie Sheridan), Gido Schimanski (Sam Carmichael), Frank Winkels (Harry Bright), Jörg Zuch (Bill Austin), Kerstin-Marie Mäkelburg (Tanya), Barbara Tartaglia (Rosie) NOTES: Director's tape, no zoom. Soundboard sound. Mamma Mia! - Hamburg - 2005 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Carolin Fortenbacher (Donna Sheridan), Valerie Link (Sophie Sheridan), Frank Logemann (Sam Carmichael), Ulrich Allroggen (Bill Austin), Betty Vermeulen (Tanya), Iris Schumacher (Rosie) NOTES: Single cam proshot with no zooms. Filmed at a slight angle, so it's not entirely horizontal, but it's still a steady capture of the full show, megamix songs, and even a little post-show maintenance. Mamma Mia! - Hollywood Bowl - July 30, 2017 (Closing Night) (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jennifer Nettles (Donna Sheridan), Dove Cameron (Sophie Sheridan), Jaime Camil (Sam Carmichael), Hamish Linklater (Harry Bright), Steven Weber (Bill Austin), Corbin Bleu (Sky), Tisha Campbell-Martin (Tanya), Lea DeLaria (Rosie), Charlotte Mary Wen (Ali), Tiana Okoye (Lisa) Mamma Mia! - Madrid - February 24, 2005 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Nina (Donna Sheridan), Mariona Castillo (Sophie Sheridan), Alberto Vasquez (Sam Carmichael), Nando Gonzalez (Harry Bright), Bruno Squarcia (Bill Austin), Leandro Rivera (Sky), Marta Valverde (Tanya), Paula Sebastian (Rosie), David Ávila (Pepper), Jaime Zartarain (Eddie), Mónica Vives (Ali), Mamen Márquez (Lisa) NOTES: Multi-camera proshot filmed for CDT. The orchestrations are soundboard, though the dialogue is not. Voulez Vous lighting is out-of-sync, though the dance moves are still in-time—unfortunately, the last 20 minutes of the show are out-of-sync completely. The balcony overhang obstructs the top half of the stage in wideshots. Mamma Mia! - Pre-Broadway Tour - June 1, 2001 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Louise Pitre (Donna Sheridan), Tina Maddigan (Sophie Sheridan), Dean Nolan (Harry Bright), Ken Marks (Bill Austin), Joe Machota (Sky), Karen Mason (Tanya), Judy Kaye (Rosie) NOTES: This show features the Original Broadway Cast at the third tryout theatre (Cadillac Winter Palace, Chicago). The recording actually shows some of what the show was originally like. Examples of this are, Donna stands on the other side when singing 'Mamma Mia', the revolving set looks different, and the costumes look VERY 90's. There is no neon floor in this video. Ends after 'I Have a Dream' Mamma Mia! - Second National Tour - July 21, 2009 (Opening Night) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Michelle Dawson (Donna Sheridan), Liana Hunt (Sophie Sheridan), John Hemphill (Sam Carmichael), Michael Aaron Lindner (Harry Bright), Martin Kildare (Bill Austin), Adam Jacobs (Sky), Rachel Tyler (Tanya), Kittra Wynn Coomer (Rosie) NOTES: Great Capture of the tour on the first night. Everything is nicely captured and a solid touring cast! A Mamma Mia! - Second National Tour - July 23, 2009 (Closing Night) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Michelle Dawson (Donna Sheridan), Liana Hunt (Sophie Sheridan), John Hemphill (Sam Carmichael), Michael Aaron Lindner (Harry Bright), Martin Kildare (Bill Austin), Adam Jacobs (Sky), Rachel Tyler (Tanya), Kittra Wynn Coomer (Rosie) NOTES: Final capture of the tour on the last night. Everything is nicely captured and a solid touring cast! A Mamma Mia! - Stuttgart - December 29, 2004 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Silke Braas (u/s Sophie Sheridan) NOTES: It's a very nice stage shot. Little spotlight washout and a very high quality soundboard recording, especially when you compare it to other German stageshots of the show. However, I must fault picture quality, it is very pixelated, like it's been scaled up from an online video. Neon floor is included. Mamma Mia! - Stuttgart Revival - August, 2013 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Willemijn Verkaik (t/r Donna Sheridan), Eva Serrarens (Sophie Sheridan), Jerry Marwig (Sam Carmichael), Matthias Otte (u/s Harry Bright), Marek Sarnowski (Bill Austin), James Cook (Sky), Betty Vermuelen (Tanya), Barbara Raunegger (Rosie), Pierre Damen (Pepper), Denys Magda (Eddie), Annakathrin Naderer (Ali), Rebecca Stahlhut (Lisa) NOTES: Filmed during Willemijn's short stint as Donna, and she's simply phenomenal in the role. Acts it brilliantly, sings it even better and is just adorable and awesome all around. The rest of the cast are also great, The video is filmed from central stalls and features a completely unobstructed view of the stage. Mamma Mia! - Utrecht - 2005 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Simone Kleinsma (Donna Sheridan), Céline Purcell (Sophie Sheridan), Hajo Bruins (Sam Carmichael), Fred Butter (Harry Bright), Oren Schrijver (Sky), Annemieke van der Ploeg (u/s Tanya), Marjolijn Touw (u/s Rosie) NOTES: Housecam, so no zoom. Soundboard sound. Mamma Mia! - Utrecht - May 28, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Simone Kleinsma (Donna Sheridan), Bettina Holwerda (u/s Sophie Sheridan), Hajo Bruins (Sam Carmichael), Filip Bolluyt (Harry Bright), Jon van Eerd (Bill Austin), Doris Baaten (Rosie) Mamma Mia! - West End - September 14, 2002 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) |  TRADER'S NOTES: Working on uploading, PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST CAST: Louise Plowright (Donna Sheridan), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sophie Sheridan), Simon Slater (Sam Carmichael), Peter Forbes (Harry Bright), Rohan Tickell (Bill Austin), Susannah Fellows (Tanya), Selina Chilton (Ali), Shona White (Lisa) NOTES: Good record to have of the show. Filmed on a VHS tape and age is apparent, but still quite watchable. Every 20 minutes or so, the sound cuts out for around 5 seconds. Does not include curtain call or megamix. Good use of zooms, however due to film age, faces aren’t overly clear. Neon floor is used in this performance. Only known recording of the show in London.

[mizbabygirl]

Chicago Blackhawks who have played or currently play in the AHL (the American Hockey League)

Slater Koekkoek: Syracuse Crunch Alex Nylander: Rochester Americans Duncan Keith: Norfolk Admirals Connor Murphy: Portland Pirates Olli Maatta: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Zack Smith: Manitoba Moose & Binghamton Senators Dylan Strome: Tuscon Roadrunners Brandon Saad: Rockford IceHogs Ryan Carpenter: Worchester Sharks and San Jose Barracuda Adam Boqvist: Rockford IceHogs Malcolm Subban: Providence Bruins Matthew Highmore: Rockford IceHogs Brandon Hagel: Rockford IceHogs Calvin de Haan: Bridgeport Sound Tigers Lucas Carlsson: Rockford IceHogs Nick Seeler: Iowa Wild Nicolas Beaudin: Rockford IceHogs Kirby Dach: Rockford IceHogs Dylan Sikura: Rockford IceHogs Dennis Gilbert: Rockford IceHogs John Quenneville: Albany Devils, Binghamton Devils and Rockford IceHogs

[suaneio-blog]

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[pucking-rare]

pucking rare masterlist 2019

below the cut are all the fics added to the pucking rare collection 2019, sorted by team/relationship. thanks everyone who wrote, beta’d, left prompts and in any way contributed to this year’s collection!

fyi: fics are sorted by who was on what team prior to 1 july because trying to keep track of who is on what team is beyond our capabilities right now.

BOSTON BRUINS

Anders Bjork/Matt Grzelcyk/Charlie McAvoy; Anders Bjork/Charlie McAvoy

something worth holding onto by cjmasim 

Anders turns over to face away from Charlie. It really doesn't matter how Charlie would react to him being aromantic. He's not going to come out to him just based on a random thought. There's no evidence whatsoever that Charlie likes him like that. If he did, he'd at least try to sleep in the same bed, Anders is sure.

It was a good hookup, and Charlie wants to do it again. Anders wants to do it again. So they'll do it again, and that's all they'll do. If it gets out of hand, well, he can deal with that when it happens.

Marcus Johansson & Brad Marchand

A 1000 Ways by onlypartly (foreverkneeld) 

Marcus Johansson finally gets an apology from Brad Marchand. Sort of.

BUFFALO SABRES

Rasmus Dahlin/Casey Mittelstadt; Rasmus Dahlin/Victor Olofsson

bloom by eichart

Ras doesn’t mean to keep buying plants for each and every one of his teammates, but he does, creating little explosions of green and orange and purple around the apartment. It’s his nature to look after them, to know when something’s wrong, so he will.

This team: he loves them.

This city: it’s special.

Jake McCabe/Rasmus Ristolainen

emptiness to melody by rawrimmapanda 

Jake knew that the random sore spots were something. He just didn't know what from exactly. After a trip to the doctor he sets off on a mission to find out who is soulmate is.

Bits of You on Me by eafay70 

Three times Jake's soulmate left him injured, and one time Jake was the one to blame.

CALGARY FLAMES

Johnny Gaudreau/Matthew Tkachuk

sealed with a kiss by iknewhim

“You want me,” Chucky drawls, “To kiss you for hockey.”

Elias Lindholm/David Rittich

We’ve Come Too Far, To Give Up Who We Are by Aer

David’s life has taken more than a few twists and turns over the years, but he’s always been able to see them coming, to some extent.

He never would have seen Elias coming in a million years.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Tyson Barrie/Tyson Jost

soft shines through by somehowunbroken 

Defensemen have to marry forwards. It's a rule, and Tyson's been putting it off for longer than he should've, and now he needs to marry someone before the season starts or he won't be able to play.

Enter Tyson Jost.

J. T. Compher/Tyson Jost/Alexander Kerfoot; J. T. Compher/Tyson Jost

no regrets, just love by ancientdeceiver

The kiss, in the end, is just one friend helping out another friend.

Tyson Jost/Colin Wilson

bring your good times and your laughter too by somehowunbroken 

Sure, the stuffed pink rabbit and balloons had been funny, but it's Tyson's birthday. Colin's maybe in the mood to give him whatever he asks for.

DALLAS STARS

Miro Heiskanen/Roope Hintz

round one, round two by ghosthunter

“Are you nervous?” Miro asks, reaching out and tugging Roope’s thumb from between his lips.

“Are you not?” Roope asks him, his voice quiet. Miro grins at him.

(maybe it's the finnish summer) got me seeing stars when I'm with you by up_and_away 

After they get eliminated, Miro can't bring himself to go home and face his parents' sympathy. He goes home with Roope instead, and finds a way to exhale.

keep it subliminal by carissima

Miro smothers a yawn and opens his door. Roope’s standing there with two coffees and an expression that matches his own mood.

when it hits you by carissima 

And that’s the precise moment he realizes that he may, in fact, have a Miro-sized problem.

MINNESOTA WILD

Mikko Koivu/Zach Parise

You Know My Words (Look Up the Name) by sleeperservice

Zach's soulmark shows up during his rookie season after a game against the Wild. Nobody told him it would take years to find out who else had one show up that night.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Taylor Hall/Nico Hischier/Jack Hughes

I won't hesitate for you by theshipstorulethemallwrites 

To be 29 years old, made the playoffs once and be a virgin was not in plans for Taylor Hall. Neither was falling for his, much, younger teammates. Yes, there's a plural in that last word, stop judging.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Mikhail Grabovski/Nikolay Kulemin

Windows by blueorangecrush

Kolya's grandmother used to say that dreams were windows into other worlds.

Anders Lee/Devon Toews

I’m on your clock, you’re in control by Mooresomore 

"Breaking up is hard to do...especially when you're not out to the team and you can't let anyone know about it (or that it's over). It really sucks too when you still want the person, but they want nothing to do with you." Mat had never thought those words would apply to him, but here he was.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Brady Skjei/Jimmy Vesey

we’re never gonna win the world by skjei 

Jimmy doesn’t want to die.

(or, jimmy vesey signs with the new york rangers and his live changes more than it ever has).

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Carter Hart/Nolan Patrick/Travis Konecny

Hens and Chicks by Hock_hug 

Travis Konecny can’t make coffee

Carter Hart/Claude Giroux/Danny Briere

Shining bright to see what you could truly be by Mooresomore

Just a fluffy look into the life of Carter, Claude, Danny, and their family.

Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

dumbasses in love by andersens

“So, I talked to Lawson, and it turns out he does think we’re dating.”

“I told you,” Nolan says.

“Yeah and see the thing is, I was gonna tell him he’s wrong. But then he started going on and on about how proud of me he is and how happy. And he was looking at me with his stupid Lawson face with his stupid Lawson smile and I just...I couldn’t tell him he was wrong.”

say that you're into me, let me know how it'll be (if you don't know, just say so) by haruspexes 

Really, the wedding is the thing that sets it all off. Someone self-aware might say it started way before the wedding but Travis has always been a little suspicious about that whole know-thyself thing. So, it starts on an otherwise unremarkable Tuesday afternoon.

***

“Anyways, you know I’m the best wedding date you could get on such short notice,” Travis fires off. It’s a pretty weak chirp, but the chance to say something is just too good to pass up.

“Yeah.” Nolan nods where Travis was half expecting him to argue.

take down some summer time by manybumblebees

Summer is lake days and fishing and coolers full of beer, the boat kicking up spray in its wake, and Nolan coming to stand next to him on the deck in his too-short shorts, holding his forearm next to TK’s and complaining about his Irish skin, which burns and freckles but never tans.

Or: summer makes TK stupid.

trouble's gonna follow (where i go) by carissima 

The first thing Travis learns about Nolan is that he can’t tie a fucking tie.

Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick; Carter Hart/Nolan Patrick; Carter Hart/Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick; Lawson Crouse/Travis Konecny; Nico Hischier/Nolan Patrick

kiss me & take off your clothes by ghosthunter

“You’re so sexy in the morning, God,” TK says.

“I’m sexy all the time,” Nolan says. “That’s why I make the big bucks.”

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Tomas Hertl/Tommy Wingels

blame it, blame it by frausorge

Olive juice? That sounds disgusting.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Anthony Cirelli/Mikhail Sergachev

Once Smitten by verbaeghe 

It isn’t that Tony’s expecting Misha to already be in their dorm room when he arrives per se, it’s just. Well, it’s junior year, classes start tomorrow, and Misha still hasn’t managed an on-time arrival yet. At least he’s consistent.

A Tale of Courtship by Sugarchev, verbaeghe

“Marriage,” King Anton repeats to a slack-jawed Tony. “The council agrees, it’s time we secure our alliances.”

The King’s cabinet falls silent. Stamkos purses his lips, while Victor pretends to notice something out the window. Cally and McDonagh glue their eyes to the tactical map sprawled across the table and Misha…he should sit down before his legs give out.

Anthony Cirelli/Mikhail Sergachev; Braydon Coburn/Slater Koekkoek

How to Train Your Partner 101 by darkone 

Tony’s previous partner retired a month ago and he’s been anxiously awaiting a new one. He’s tired of going on missions with other well established teams because it makes him feel like a third wheel.

Braydon Coburn/Slater Koekkoek

Yours by Lecavayay

He takes Slater’s wrist, holds it to his lips like the name there is his and not some other Braydon waiting for the man in his bed to find him.

Tyler Johnson/Ondrej Palat

The Playboy of Central New York by blueorangecrush 

Tyler just wanted to be a semi-anonymous graduate student, not the funder of a biotech startup with his old money inheritance.

He thought he'd meet a girl who didn't know or care about his money. He was wrong about the "girl" part.

Cedric Paquette/Louis Domingue; Alex Killorn/Andrej Sustr; Jake Dotchin/Yanni Gourde

I Could Stay Here Forever by TylerAndAlexAndCeddyOhMy 

Ceddy and Louis were fall in love while studying abroad

“We should go to Italy!” Yanni yelled. 

“You just want to sleep with Italian guys,” Louis groaned. “We should go to France. The museums! Imagine all the history!” 

“Yeah! Because there is ZERO fucking history in ITALY, you huge fucking moron,” Yanni yelled at Louis. 

“You aren’t even interested in history! You’re interested in dick!” Louis countered. 

“Yes,” Yanni screamed stomping toward his room. “Big Italian dick!” With that he slammed his door.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Frederik Andersen/Auston Matthews/Morgan Rielly

Filled Up by eyeslikeonyx

When Auston pictured going on vacation with Freddie and Mo during the bye week, he was expecting to have fun in their hotel room, obviously. He knows Mitch is most likely getting railed on his own trip with Marty and Cees if the suggestive snaps from the night before are any indicator. Auston has been waiting for this trip for a while now, and he’s excited to finally relax and get some much needed sun. He doesn’t want to just have sex the entire time he’s on vacation.

He should have known his body would betray him the moment he, Mo, and Freddie actually made it to their resort suite.

Kyle Dubas/William Nylander

The Lace in Your Dress by elenajames 

There’s a garment box on their bed when Willy gets home.

You’re my golden hour by mozartspiano 

Kyle's condo is terrible. William helps him find a house.

This One’s For You by theshipstorulethemallwrites 

Since his father’s death in a classified military accident, William Nylander has always had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he could be more. And then he gets in trouble in a way that he can’t get out of.

Enter Kingsman

Enter Kyle Dubas

I Hope You Lie by dizzzylu 

"You think that we don't notice?" William asks. "How you take care of us, how you take the blame for us. We notice, Kyle. I notice."

Nazem Kadri/Mitch Marner; Nazem Kadri/Mitch Marner/John Tavares

Knights by eden22 

London Knights are always proprietary with each other.

Mitch Marner/John Tavares

A Monster Under the Bed by eyeslikeonyx 

On the morning of November 9, 1973, Good Hope Sheriff John Tavares is the third man to pull up to the banks of Lake Perry where a body has been found. Principal Patrick Marleau of Good Hope High School was the first, and Deputy Sheriff Morgan Reilly was the second.

Mitch Marner/William Nylander

You Brought Out The Best In Me by Bluejay141519 

Mitch is the sun and Willy's been in the shadows since the day Mitch was drafted. That doesn't mean he loves Mitch any less.

William Nylander/Andreas Johnsson

facts of life (it’s i and love and you) by florabee 

some things change and some things don't. the most set-in-stone fact in andreas's life is this: he loves willy and willy loves him

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Brock Boeser/Elias Pettersson

boy with love by lilcrickee 

“Oh no,” Brock murmurs, the reality of the situation sinking in. It’s 11 o’clock in the middle of the offseason and he’s holding a baby. The baby is his. Brock is 22 and has a baby and the mother has run off to work on a cruise ship.

Elias Pettersson/Jacob Markstrom

Waiting Tied and Bound by Sister_Grimm 

Jacob knows exactly how to take Elias apart every time

WINNIPEG JETS

Nikolaj Ehlers/Patrik Laine

make my heart sparkle like champagne by softEldritch (assbutts) 

Hey, Niky,” he says slowly, enunciating it carefully so he doesn’t somehow mess up the words, “what if we do get married this summer?”

Turns out there’s a lot more to a wedding than just showing up, saying a few words and putting on some rings.

Adam Lowry/Brandon Tanev

while all his body trembled by onlypartly (foreverkneeld) 

(407): It's very finicky. Like baking. or BDSM.

mixer attachments by snailmailed

“It’s a KitchenAid. You have the same one. Are you feeling okay?” He added when Brandon continued to stare at his brand new mixer.

Brandon blinked. “Yeah dude, I know what it is.”

“Okay well it didn’t seem like -”

“I know what it is! Obviously.” Brandon huffed.

(Adam buys his own KitchenAid, Brandon doesn't take it well.)

FORMER/INTERNATIONAL TEAMMATES

Nazem Kadri/James Van Riemsdyk

hit me with that by landofpromise 

Nazem isn’t sure what to think when James’ name appears on his screen.

Mathew Barzal/Thomas Chabot

careless with my heart again by aimerai 

Mat looks at Chabby, actually looks at him, and wants to kiss him. This is not a new thought, nor is it particularly damning. Mat wants to make him fall apart, and that’s fine, too. But wanting to smooth out the faint wrinkle of his brow and uncoil the tension from his shoulders is a line he can’t cross. Wanting Chabby to go back to the person he was when he was asleep, carefree, is not something he is allowed. Staying the night was a detour; staying in bed was a mistake, and yet, Mat can’t bring himself to regret it. Some things are an inevitability; this may not be one of them, but Mat thinks he’d have chosen to land here anyway. Even if it’s going to hurt, even as he’s trying to pull himself out of one of the biggest hurts he’s ever had.

Anthony Cirelli/Taylor Raddysh

It Started Out With a Kiss (Or: How It Ended Up Like This) by love_stella 

“Who was that?” Misha asks, cutting him off.

“It was no one, don’t worry about it,” Tony tries to say, knowing damn well it’s going to be impossible to get them to stop now that they’ve started.

“No no no, that wasn’t no one,” Misha says, “You don’t just walk up and kiss no one.”

Anthony Cirelli/Taylor Raddysh/Mitchell Stephens

Magnolia by love_stella 

What catches his eye is a hint of blue floating around the water, but before he can reach his hand in to check he’s hit with another coughing fit, only this time he’s able to catch most of the petals in his palms so he can inspect them to make sure his eyes aren’t tricking him. Surely enough, Taylor didn’t even cough up any of Tony’s flower this time, the petals he’s holding are shorter and a pale blue that Taylor might find beautiful if they didn’t just come out of his lungs.

Eric Comrie/Chase De Leo

Trying To Get That Feeling Again by Mooresomore 

Chase and Eric had been together and things were perfect. What happened when Chase got traded to the Ducks changed all that. Can they find what was missing?

Dante Fabbro/Tyson Jost

all these songs of love by somehowunbroken 

Dante's an aspiring musician, so he'll take whatever help he can get, including a boy in 

his dreams who helps him write his music. Everything's going fine until he looks up during a show and sees that boy in the crowd.

Alexandre Fortin/Jeremy Lauzon/Philippe Myers

this doesn’t look that much different from home by aimerai 

Alex is born somewhere between a hope and a dream, made more of magic than of DNA. He’s not quite a changeling child, but the first time he watches Pinocchio, he cries and cries and can’t stop, until he feels like he’s going to throw up with each hitching breath. It feels too similar, and he’s always known what he is.

Or, the moments that make a homecoming.

Marcus Johansson/Evgeny Kuznetsov

putting broken pieces back in place by ghosthunter 

“Evgeny Evgenyvich,” the stranger says.

“Huh?” Zhenya asks, confused. He stops to look up into the black space where a face should be.

“What would you give,” the stranger asks.

“For what?” Zhenya asks. He considers continuing walking, but he can’t. He considers running, but he can’t do that either. He thinks these things, but his body won’t do them.

“For what you want,” the stranger says to him.

Auston Matthews/Patrick Kane

Half in the shadows, half burned in flames by Caivallon 

Between night and day. In this strange endless twilight between yesterday and tomorrow when everything is possible.

They have played a game. A tempting and thrilling game.

Nathan MacKinnon/Mitch Marner

Pine your way to China by Aderam

In which our hero is surprisingly good at talking about it, but not to the right person.

AKA hockey boys are dumb, but we like them anyway.

William Nylander/David Pastrnak

Love and Marriage by blindbatalex 

“Yeah I got married and didn’t tell any of you,” David deadpans before it’s too late, finally able to form words, and there is a moment when it goes so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Taylor Crosby/Amanda Kessel

run it, run it (like a girl) by ghosthunter 

Hockey analysts will make a rivalry out of anything. And if it’s not the analysts, then it’s the media. All they really had in common was they went to the same school and play the same sport.

OTHERS

Leon Draisaitl/Connor McDavid/Dylan Strome

ain't nothing like them summer nights by liroa15 

Connor's got one boyfriend for home and one boyfriend for away, and somehow they're all making it work. Together. Away from it all.

Alexander Ovechkin/Tyler Seguin; Nicklas Backstrom/Tyler Seguin

Icebreaker by myrthrilmercury

Throughout the league, Alexander Ovechkin is known as "Icebreaker" for his prowess at training the brattiest and most stubborn subs. His latest assignment is to transform the rude, rebellious Tyler Seguin into an obedient submissive willing to do anything commanded.

Sidney Crosby/Travis Konecny; Sidney Crosby & Marc-Andre Fleury

Forever in a Minute by elenajames

Sid lets the league send an alpha match for his heat, and he's not prepared for who they pick.

[hockeyholidays2024]

Final tag set

Behind the read more...we’ve got over 300 ships nominated and every NHL team has at least one nomination, yay!

Anaheim Ducks

Maxime Comtois/Antoine Morand

Arizona Coyotes

Michael Latta/Dylan Strome

Boston Bruins

Adam Morrison/Tuukka Rask

Anders Bjork/Matt Grzelcyk

Boston Bruins/Charlie McAvoy

Brad Marchand/Tyler Seguin

Brandon Carlo/Charlie McAvoy

Brandon Carlo/Connor Clifton

Charlie Coyle/Boston Bruins Ensemble

Charlie Coyle/Chris Wagner

Charlie McAvoy/David Pastrnak

Danton Heinen/Sean Kuraly

David Pastrnak/Tuukka Rask

Jake DeBrusk/Charlie McAvoy

Jake DeBrusk/Sean Kuraly

Matt Grzelcyk/Charlie McAvoy

Patrice Bergeron/Brad Marchand

Torey Krug/Brad Marchand

Zdeno Chara/Boston Bruins Ensemble

Zdeno Chara/Brad Marchand

Zdeno Chara/Charlie McAvoy

Zdeno Chara/David Pastrnak

Zdeno Chara/Tuukka Rask

Zdeno Chara/Tyler Seguin

Buffalo Sabres

Jack Eichel/Jeff Skinner

Jack Eichel/Sam Reinhart

Jake McCabe/Rasmus Ristolainen

Rasmus Dahlin/Casey Mittelstadt

Calgary Flames

Elias Lindholm/Noah Hanifin

Johnny Gaudreau/Sean Monahan

Carolina Hurricanes

Alexander Semin/Eric Staal

Jeff Skinner/Eric Staal

Julien Gauthier/Nicolas Roy

Sebastian Aho/Teuvo Teravainen

Chicago Blackhawks

Alex DeBrincat/Dylan Strome

Colorado Avalanche

Andre Burakovsky/Nathan MacKinnon

Andre Burakovsky/Tyson Jost

Cale Makar/Conor Timmins

Erik Johnson/Gabriel Landeskog

Erik Johnson/Nathan MacKinnon

Erik Johnson/Nikita Zadorov

Gabriel Landeskog/Andre Burakovsky

Gabriel Landeskog/Colin Wilson

Gabriel Landeskog/Mikko Rantanen

J. T. Compher/Alexander Kerfoot

J. T. Compher/Alexander Kerfoot/Cale Makar

J. T. Compher/Cale Makar

J. T. Compher/Tyson Jost

J. T. Compher/Tyson Jost/Alexander Kerfoot

Ryan Graves/Cale Makar

Samuel Girard/Cale Makar

Samuel Girard/Erik Johnson

Samuel Girard/Erik Johnson/Cale Makar

Tyson Barrie/Colin Wilson

Tyson Barrie/Erik Johnson

Tyson Barrie/Gabriel Landeskog

Tyson Barrie/Gabriel Landeskog/Nathan MacKinnon

Tyson Barrie/Nathan MacKinnon

Tyson Barrie/Tyson Jost

Columbus Blue Jackets

Boone Jenner/Ryan Murray

Cam Atkinson/Brandon Dubinsky

Josh Anderson/Zach Werenski

Pierre-Luc Dubois/Alexander Wennberg

Sergei Bobrovsky/Nick Foligno

William Karlsson/Alexander Wennberg

Dallas Stars

Anton Khudobin/Alexander Radulov

Ben Bishop/Dallas Stars Ensemble

Denis Gurianov/Roope Hintz

Jamie Benn/Roope Hintz

Jamie Benn/Tyler Seguin

Jamie Benn/Tyler Seguin/Roope Hintz

Joe Pavelski/Tyler Seguin

John Klingberg/Esa Lindell

Jordie Benn/Tyler Seguin

Miro Heiskanen/Esa Lindell

Miro Heiskanen/Roope Hintz

Miro Heiskanen/Roope Hintz/Esa Lindell

Miro Heiskanen/Tyler Seguin

Nick Caamano/Roope Hintz

Roope Hintz/Mattias Janmark

Roope Hintz/Mattias Janmark/Joe Pavelski

Tyler Seguin/Patrick Sharp

Detroit Red Wings

Sergei Fedorov/Nicklas Lidstrom

Sergei Fedorov/Pavel Bure

Sergei Fedorov/Steve Yzerman

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Jordan Eberle/Taylor Hall

Jordan Eberle/Taylor Hall/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Leon Draisaitl/Connor McDavid

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins/Ryan Strome

Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov/Jonathan Huberdeau

Los Angeles Kings

Jeff Carter/Mike Richards

Martin Jones/Jonathan Quick

Minnesota Wild

Jason Pominville/Thomas Vanek

Montreal Canadiens

Alex Galchenyuk/Brendan Gallagher

Carey Price/P. K. Subban

Nashville Predators

Pekka Rinne/Juuse Saros

Rich Clune/James Neal

Roman Josi/P. K. Subban

Roman Josi/Shea Weber

New Jersey Devils

Jesper Boqvist/Jesper Bratt

Jesper Boqvist/Jesper Bratt/Pavel Zacha

Jesper Bratt/Nico Hischier

Nathan Bastian/Michael McLeod

Taylor Hall/Nico Hischier

Taylor Hall/Nico Hischier/Jack Hughes

New York Islanders

Anders Lee/Brock Nelson

Casey Cizikas/Matt Martin

Johnny Boychuk/Nick Leddy

Mathew Barzal/Anthony Beauvillier

Mathew Barzal/Jordan Eberle

New York Rangers

Brian Boyle/Ryan Callahan

Ottawa Senators

Thomas Chabot/Colin White

Philadelphia Flyers

Brian Elliott/Carter Hart

Carter Hart/Jakub Voracek

Carter Hart/Oskar Lindblom

Carter Hart/Philippe Myers

Carter Hart/Travis Konecny

Carter Hart/Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

Claude Giroux/Carter Hart

Claude Giroux/Ivan Provorov

Claude Giroux/Nolan Patrick

Claude Giroux/Travis Konecny

Claude Giroux/Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

Claude Giroux/Gritty (Hockey RPF)

Claude Giroux/Wayne Simmonds

Danny Briere/Claude Giroux

Danny Briere/Sean Couturier

Danny Briere/Sean Couturier/Claude Giroux

Joel Farabee/Morgan Frost

Nicolas Aube-Kubel/Philippe Myers

Michael Raffl/Jakub Voracek

Nolan Patrick/Ivan Provorov

Nolan Patrick/Wayne Simmonds

Ryanne Breton/Danny Briere/Claude Giroux

Ryanne Breton/Claude Giroux

Sean Couturier/Brayden Schenn

Sean Couturier/Claude Giroux

Shayne Gostisbehere/Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

Travis Konecny/Ivan Provorov

Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick

Travis Konecny/Nolan Patrick/Ivan Provorov

Travis Konecny/Oskar Lindblom

Travis Konecny/Wayne Simmonds

Wayne Simmonds/Jakub Voracek

Pittsburgh Penguins

Alex Galchenyuk/Evgeni Malkin

Brian Dumoulin/Conor Sheary

Brian Dumoulin/Kris Letang

Jamie Oleksiak/Conor Sheary

Marc-Andre Fleury/Kris Letang

Marc-Andre Fleury/Mario Lemieux

Marc-Andre Fleury/Matt Murray

Marc-Andre Fleury/Veronique Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury/Veronique Fleury/Catherine Laflamme/Kris Letang

Sidney Crosby/Erik Gudbranson

Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin

Sidney Crosby/Marc-Andre Fleury

Sidney Crosby/Kris Letang

Sidney Crosby/Mario Lemieux

Sidney Crosby/Phil Kessel

Sidney Crosby/Trevor Daley

Sidney Crosby/Tristan Jarry

Sidney Crosby/Tristan Jarry/Evgeni Malkin

San Jose Sharks

Patrick Marleau/Joe Thornton

Tomas Hertl/Joe Thornton

St. Louis Blues

Brayden Schenn/Vladimir Tarasenko

Tampa Bay Lightning

Alex Killorn/Andrej Sustr

Alex Killorn/Brayden Point

Anthony Cirelli/Mathieu Joseph

Anthony Cirelli/Mikhail Sergachev

Anthony Cirelli/Taylor Raddysh/Mitchell Stephens

Boris Katchouk/Taylor Raddysh

Braydon Coburn/Slater Koekkoek

Connor Ingram/Carter Verhaeghe

Jonathan Drouin/Steven Stamkos

Steve Downie/Steven Stamkos

Taylor Raddysh/Mitchell Stephens

Victor Hedman/Steven Stamkos

Vincent Lecavalier/Brad Richards

Toronto Maple Leafs

Frederik Andersen/Auston Matthews

Frederik Andersen/Connor Brown

Frederik Andersen/Alexander Kerfoot

Frederik Andersen/Mitch Marner/Auston Matthews

Frederik Andersen/Mitch Marner

Frederik Andersen/Tyson Barrie

Kyle Dubas/William Nylander

Mitch Marner/Auston Matthews/William Nylander

Mitch Marner/Matt Martin

Steve Dangle/James Reimer

Tyson Barrie/Morgan Rielly

Zach Hyman/Mitch Marner

Zach Hyman/William Nylander

Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser/Elias Pettersson

Eddie Lack/Roberto Luongo

Vegas Golden Knights

Cody Glass/Max Pacioretty

Cody Glass/Nic Hague

Erik Haula/Nate Schmidt

Jonathan Marchessault/David Perron

Jonathan Marchessault/Mark Stone

Jonathan Marchessault/Ryan Reaves

Marc-Andre Fleury/Jonathan Marchessault

Marc-Andre Fleury/Malcolm Subban

Marc-Andre Fleury/Ryan Reaves

Max Pacioretty/Mark Stone

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare/Marc-Andre Fleury

William Karlsson/Jonathan Marchessault

Washington Capitals

Andre Burakovsky/Christian Djoos

Andre Burakovsky/Philipp Grubauer

André Burakovsky/Tom Wilson

Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin

Braden Holtby/T. J. Oshie

Braden Holtby/Tom Wilson

Evgeny Kuznetsov/Tom Wilson

Michael Latta/Tom Wilson

Michal Kempny/Jakub Vrana

Michal Kempny/John Carlson

Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin

Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin

Nicklas Backstrom/Braden Holtby

Nicklas Backstrom/Mike Green

Nicklas Backstrom/T. J. Oshie/Alexander Ovechkin

T. J. Oshie/Tom Wilson

Vitek Vanecek/Jakub Vrana

Winnipeg Jets

Adam Lowry/Brandon Tanev

Mark Scheifele/Blake Wheeler

Nikolaj Ehlers/Patrik Laine

Men's National Team - Canada

Anthony Beauvillier/Thomas Chabot/Pierre-Luc Dubois

Carter Hart/Braden Holtby

Carter Hart/Sam Steel

Claude Giroux/Kris Letang

Claude Giroux/Mitch Marner

Claude Giroux/Tyler Seguin

Connor McDavid/Dylan Strome

Connor McDavid/Nathan MacKinnon

Dante Fabbro/Tyson Jost

Jamie Benn/Sidney Crosby

Jeremy Lauzon/Philippe Myers

Marc-Andre Fleury/Claude Giroux

Marc-Andre Fleury/Claude Giroux/Kris Letang

Mathew Barzal/Anthony Beauvillier/Thomas Chabot

Mathew Barzal/Dante Fabbro

Mathew Barzal/Mitch Marner

Mathew Barzal/Thomas Chabot

Michael McLeod/Dylan Strome

Mitch Marner/Connor McDavid

Mitch Marner/Connor McDavid/Dylan Strome

Mitch Marner/Dylan Strome

Mitch Marner/Dylan Strome/John Tavares

Nathan MacKinnon/Tyler Seguin

Nicolas Hague/Owen Tippett

Pierre-Luc Dubois/Julien Gauthier

Ryanne Breton/Sidney Crosby/Claude Giroux

Sidney Crosby/Andy O'Brien

Sidney Crosby/Claude Giroux

Sidney Crosby/Nathan MacKinnon

Sidney Crosby/Tyler Seguin

Tyson Barrie/Jamie Benn

Tyson Barrie/Sidney Crosby/Nathan MacKinnon

Men's National Team - Denmark

Frederik Andersen/Lars Eller

Men's National Team - Finland

Patrik Laine/Esa Lindell

Men's National Team - Russia

Ivan Provorov/Andrei Svechnikov

Sergei Fedorov/Pavel Bure/Anna Kournikova

Men's National Team - Sweden

Oskar Lindblom/William Nylander

Men's National Team - USA

Dylan Larkin/Zach Werenski

Jack Eichel/Noah Hanifin

Quinn Hughes/Brady Tkachuk

Women's Hockey

Amanda Kessel/Haley Skarupa

Erika Lawler/Harrison Browne

Hilary Knight/Haley Skarupa

Hilary Knight/Jillian Salunier

Hilary Knight/Marie-Philip Poulin

Taylor Crosby/Amanda Kessel

Men's Hockey/Women's Hockey crossover

Sidney Crosby/Taylor Crosby

Sidney Crosby/Amanda Kessel

Junior or College Teammates and Other Cross-Team Ships

Alex Galchenyuk/Nail Yakupov

Alexandre Fortin/Jeremy Lauzon/Philippe Myers

Anders Nilsson/Jussi Saros

Claude Giroux/Evgeni Malkin

Frederik Andersen/J. T. Compher

Gabriel Landeskog/Jeff Skinner

Gabriel Landeskog/Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Jack Eichel/Connor McDavid

Jordie Benn/Dylan Strome

Juuse Saros/Anders Nilsson

Marc-Andre Fleury/Kris Letang/Jonathan Marchessault/David Perron

Mathieu Boucher/Jeremy Lauzon

Mathieu Boucher/Jeremy Lauzon/Philippe Myers

Mitch Marner/Auston Matthews/Dylan Strome

Mitch Marner/Ivan Provorov

Mitch Marner/Matthew Tkachuk

Nicklas Backstrom/Evgeni Malkin

Nicklas Backstrom/Sidney Crosby

Nicklas Backstrom/Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin/Alexander Ovechkin

Nico Hischier/Nolan Patrick

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel/Jeremy Lauzon/Philippe Myers

Sidney Crosby/Alexander Ovechkin

William Nylander/David Pastrnak

Other Celebrity Crossovers

KJ Apa/Brock Boeser

[kikiskeysgame]

Kiki’s Game Preview to the Chicago Blackhawks-Columbus Blue Jackets Game (02\16\2019)

Previously in the Blackhawks’ Last Game: The Blackhawks defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Thursday night. They have won five straight home games for the first time since their seven-game run in the 2015-16 season (which lasted from January 3, 2016 to January 24, 2016). The Blackhawks also registered 30 hits in the game, tying the season high for the team (the first time was back on January 12th against the Vegas Golden Knights).

Chris Kunitz played in his 1,000th NHL regular-season career game. The Blackhawks are the only NHL team to have three active players skate in his 1,000th plus regular season NHL games (which includes Kunitz, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook).

Patrick Kane had a multi-point game with his 34th goal of the season and two assists, extending his point streak to 16 games. He now has 51 assists this season, reaching the 50-assist mark for the fifth time in Kane’s career; his 57 games played are the fewest that it has taken for Kane to reach the 50-assist mark in his career.

Kane has posted three or more points 10 times this season (which shares second among all NHL skaters, trailing only Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning). He has also surpassed Stan Mikita’s 1967 Blackhawks record for the most consecutive games with an assist (at 15 games). He is also the first player to reach that feat since Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers (which lasted from November 29, 1991 to December 31, 1991).

Jonathan Toews scored his 26th goal of the season, tallying his 8th goal in his last 9 games; he has at least one point in 17 of his last 20 games played. Toews’ eight goals since January 20th share second in the NHL. The goal is also his fifth game-winning goal of the season.

Brandon Saad had a multi-point game with his 19th goal and 15th assist of the season, earning him his 300th NHL career point. The goal was Saad’s third shorthanded tally of the season and he is now tied for the second most shorthanded goals in the NHL this season.

Artem Anisimov had a multi-point game with his 9th goal and 17th assist of the season, earning him his fifth multi-point game of the season. Anisimov has 15 career points (with 8 goals & 7 assists) versus the New Jersey Devils.

Drake Caggiula scored his 10th goal of the season which marks the second consecutive season that Caggiula has scored 10-plus goals.

Erik Gustafsson got his 25th assist of the season on Anisimov’s goal, making it his third consecutive game with an assist. Gustafsson continues to lead all Blackhawks’ defensemen in points, goals & assists.

Dylan Sikura got his 4th assist of the season, making it his first game that he has gotten a point in since January 1st against the Boston Bruins.

Slater Koekkoek got his first assist of the season on Jonathan Toews’ goal, making it his first point since being traded to the Blackhawks.

Cam Ward was the winning goaltender; he made 41 saves out of 43 shots on goal during the game to earn his 5th consecutive win as the starting goaltender, making it his longest winning streak since he was with the Carolina Hurricanes back in the 2017-18 season (which lasted from December 12, 2017 to December 29, 2017). He is also the first Blackhawks goaltender to win five straight games since Corey Crawford in the 2017-18 season (which lasted from December 8, 2017 to December 17, 2017).

Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets: Tonight will be the last time this season that the Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets will play against each other. The last time both teams face each other back on October 20, 2018, the Blackhawks defeated them 4-1 with goals scored by Alex DeBrincat, Marcus Kruger and Patrick Kane (who had two). Corey Crawford made 37 saves out of 38 shots on goal.

The Blue Jackets will be coming off a 3-0 shutout loss against the New York Islanders on Thursday night. Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves out of 27 shots on goal during the game.

Players to Be Aware of:

Artemi Panarin (who currently leads the team in points & assists and is 2nd in goals; he has gotten 5 points with 2 goals & 3 assists in 3 out of his last 5 games; he has 64 points with 22 goals & 42 assists so far this season)

Cam Atkinson (who currently leads the team in goals and is 2nd on the team in points; he has gotten 3 points with 3 goals in 2 out of his last 5 games; he has 54 points with 31 goals & 23 assists so far this season)

Seth Jones (who is currently 4th on the team in points and is 3rd in assists; he has gotten 4 points with 4 assists in 4 out of his last 5 games; he has 35 points with 7 goals & 28 assists so far this season)

[hoardcloneheadcanons]

Misread Fates Ch 3

Chapter 3 – Marriage and a Dragon

“I just want to know what it’s like; To have that part of my life, to have my Mom and Dad there and to have a party with the town and everything. If I survive I’ll send you the divorce papers straight away and you can go off on your journey scot-free and we never have to talk about it again. I just- I wanted to get married before I die.”

She nodded to herself, mulling it over in her mind. “You’re going to make me a widow at 18.”

He gave out a half-gasp of a laugh, “Yeah- probably.”

“Bruin, who was at the door-"

Helrich walked towards the entryway of his own home to see his best friend standing shamefaced

 “Guillermo?”

“Helrich I’m sorry. I was trying to find a job for your kid. He’s a good fighter, one of the most dedicated and technically proficient I’ve seen, and adaptive. I thought I could tell people about his skills, and find someone high up who needed some extra muscle or security. I thought I could help him get some life experience under his belt. But... word spread to the royal family, and I mentioned it was your son, and they know your fate.”

“What did they do?” Helrich turned towards his son, “Bruin what did they do?”

Bruin silently handed the letter to him and watched his father’s face cave in as he read the words.

Helrich stood frozen in the kitchen for a moment before sighing, the deep exhale taking every inch of his body, “This was so much earlier than I had hoped for you.”

 He walked over to the window, his staff making an ominous clicking noise as he did so and leaned on its sill so he could more easily call to his wife in the garden, “Hildy, You should come to see this.”

His mother came in, hands still stained with dirt from weeding. She brushed them off on her apron before taking the letter from her husband’s hand, reading it silently, and then slamming it down on a table.

“Right. Well, Bruin, get up, Pack your bags. You’re getting out of Langdon.”

“Hildy, This is still the boy's choice.”

“ Helrich Slater, he is too young for this by far. And it’s a dragon. You’ve heard the boy’s rambles, that’s one of the worst of them. He can fight something smaller. I can't believe this, after what you've done for them. You made King Henry's fight easy, he barely got a scratch on him while you lost your legs and his wife repays us by putting our son in mortal danger.”

"She has five children. She doesn't know which one has the fate to lay monsters; she doesn't want to put any of them in danger."

She tried to drag Bruin up by his arm and he thoughtlessly shook her off.

“So she takes our only son instead? She's had as much time to prepare them, more. Her oldest son is 24. He has five years on Bruin, all the resources in the land, and a fate that doesn't include him failing!”

"She just asked for him to find the weakness. He might be able to bring her some of his research. Maybe they just want him as a consultant-"

Guillermo coughed to interrupt his friend

"Er- no. I'm afraid Brunhilda is right. Their letter might not-outright state it, but I believe they want him to go fight the dragon. I was instructed to make sure he got at least close enough to see the creature. And... I don't put it past her to send others after him if I fail, or after you both"

Helrich squinted at Guillermo, 

"Did you know they were like this, all along?"

Guillermo looked away, "I've seen them do wretched, careless things before, none this bad."

...

While his parents and mentor discussed his imminent doom, Bruin sunk into his head, his heart beating fast, the conversation around him only half registering.

He was going to die. There was so much he hadn’t done. He’d spent so much time training. He wanted to laugh with Abby more, go back to the creak where he was a child and splash his face in it, eat all the bread and drink the wine, and hear the stories of his neighbors more and-

Bruin got up and left his house without a word. His parents looked up after the door slammed.

It was night and the cold prickled on his skin. He could see his breath in the dark blue air. All he could think to do was move, to keep his legs moving forward at a pace. He could hear his own heartbeat as the blood rushed through his ears

In those moments of empty headed fuzz, he went back to Guillermo's lessons.

Trust your instincts. Don’t stop moving. Figure out what your hand is doing and commit to it.

He found himself walking to Abby Puckett's house and sped up.

He rushed up to the door and banged on it as hard and as rapidly as he could.

“We’re not home!”, Shouted Abby's father

“It's Bruin, I’m not a debt collector! I'm looking for Abby”

The door swung open, nearly hitting him.

“Bruin? What are you doing here this late?”

Abby stood in front of him, her face screwed in confusion. She had a coat thrown over her nightgown and her feet shoved into some untied boots.

Marry me.”

“Excuse me?“

For once in his life, it felt like words spewed out of him uncontrollably. He braced himself against the doorframe as he talked. He needed something to hold himself steady.

“I know you want to meet the love of your life on your wandering. I know that’s not me, and what I’m asking you right now is ridiculous-but- I got a summons today from the royal family. It’s my fate. They want me to go fight a dragon over in Kingstown and I- It’s a dragon- and I’m not going to run, and I don’t even know if I can or if they’ll send people after my family or if my fate will screw me over- but-“

Her eyes widened.

“You don’t know if you can survive it.”

He winced.

“I just want to know what it’s like; To have that part of my life, to have my Mom and Dad there and to have a party with the town and everything. If I survive I’ll send you the divorce papers straight away and you can go off on your journey scot-free and we never have to talk about it again. I just- I wanted to get married before I die.”

She nodded to herself, mulling it over in her mind. “You’re going to make me a widow at 18.”

He gave out a half-gasp of a laugh, “Yeah- probably.”

Abby smirked. There was a level of pity in her eyes, but also sparks of amusement. She had a straightforward fondness for risk and action that caused her to take dares, start fights, and dive into the water before the spring had warmed it up enough to be temperate. It bubbled to the surface now, and sparkled in her eyes, “Alright-yeah. Let’s get married.”

……………………

When he got back his mother had a satchel with his things packed.

“Right. You’re taking the family horse. I have a sister in Grenideer, you’re going to stay with her. She needs extra farmhands anyway. She’ll appreciate the help.”

“Mom, I want to get married to Abby, soon, sometime this week before I go. It'd be nice to bring the town together, to say goodbye to everyone.”

His mother did not stop packing.

"Are you sure she'll agree to that? She doesn't seem like the type to settle down."

"She already did. I promised to make her a divorcee or a widow."

His mother's back went ram-rad straight at the word widow.

"Stop it, you're too young to think like that.

"Mom, I'm going."

“Stop. Why are you so hell-bent on self-slaughter? Can you at least do me the favor of considering other options? I know you’ve had tunnel vision for all of your life. But for once, FOR ONCE I need you to consider that there are other possibilities out there for you.”

It occurred to him that he could lie to her, he could say he was going off on Abby's wandering with her and just go to Kingston instead. He had a bad habit of agreeing with what they said and then disregarding it. He considered it for longer than he was proud of.

But this was too important. His mother deserved to know why she had to lose him.

“Mom… I don’t want to be Great-Grandpa Elias. The dragon is eating cows for now, but if it runs out it could move to people. They have large hunting territories. Even if it’s in the West Mountains now it could come here and eat our neighbors, or you and Dad. And I shouldn’t even be saying that because it would still matter if ate people in West Kingstown. I’d prefer to go after it before it kills people.”

“Why does it have to be you? The Royal family has a fate for slaying monsters. It’s the main reason they’re on the thrown. So they should do their damn job.” You’ll leave and they’ll just have to take care of it themselves.

“Mom, if they were going to do something about it, they would have done it before they’d heard of me.”

Somewhere inside Bruin had suspected this. But saying it out loud made them real.

She went silent, and it felt cruel, but he took the opportunity to keep going. He needed her to understand.

 “West Kingston is where the guy who sells us saddles gets his leather from. How long has he been complaining about wolves, or some animal taking out the cows down there? He said he switched suppliers.”

His mother saw where he was going. She held her tongue in her teeth, she looked like she had tasted something sour.

“Two years he’s been complaining about that for two years.”

“I don’t think it’s wolves, Mom. I think they’ve delayed this for a very long time. They might have been… waiting for me to grow.”

Brunhilda was looking out the window, trying not to look her son in the face as she choked down tears, “They have no right.”

“Just because they’re assholes doesn’t mean I am. If they win after I go in-it means a lot of people will be able to put food on their table next year, and nobody has to die.

“Right,” Brunhilda said, “Because this wouldn’t be the first time they’ve ignored our suffering for other priorities.”

The communities in Langdon were tight-knit and supportive of one another because they knew no one was coming to save them. If something nasty with pointy teeth came to attack, the royal family would intervene, but when the crops didn’t grow, their children got sick, and their brothers got robbed The people of Langdon relied on each other. Because they knew, despite their pleas, no one was coming for them.

Brunhilda nodded, “You’re not going to run away from it are you, and there’s nothing I can say to make you change your mind.”

“No. There isn’t.”

“ Alright. We have savings, and you’re taking them. And you’re taking it to get whatever weaponry you need for this fight.”

“Mom, You can't be serious.”

“I won’t have any guff from you for this.”

“Mom, there’s no point throwing coins on a dead man.”

“YES. THERE IS. Your father encouraged you to focus on this moment all your life and I’ve gone along with it even though I’ve disagreed with it, but if you’re going in there you’re making a FUCKING DENT. I don’t like that your life has led up only to this moment, but it’s going to mean something, alright? We’ll set aside a little for the wedding but the rest is going to your monster slaying. You know the most about this nonsense, we’ve guaranteed it. You will get whatever you need to and they will call my son a hero because he will wreck it as much as possible so all that little princeling will have to do is slit its throat while it wheezes on the ground, do you understand? You are not dying for nothing.”

His mom was wrought. Her voice was shaking. He went to her and put a hand on her shoulder, he didn’t know what else to do.

“I’m so sorry. But I have to do this.”

“Do you know that for years I worried you’d grow up without compassion? I worried that your childhood of isolation would make you cold. This was the way to find out I was wrong.”

“I wish you had more children than me.”

“You’re not replaceable.”

“Yeah but there would have been somebody to take care of you and Dad when you got older.”

“We’re well-loved in this town. Worry about you.”

………………………………..

Bruin found his father outside.

After Bruin and his Mom talked he went outside to sit with his father.

“Well, that was something.”

His father was smoking on a pipe, having deftly avoided the blow-up between Bruin and Hildy. He was sitting on a log in the grass, just waiting for his son to come.

“Yeah”

“She calls you pigheaded but that’s only half my fault.”

“Mom calls me pig-headed?”

“Pig-headed, thick-skulled, the lot.”

Bruin went to sit down next to his father. They stared at the sunset for a while.

“Why didn’t you and Mom have more kids?”

 “I’m afraid that’s mostly my fault. Though I suppose it was a little bit inconsiderate to your mother, looking back. I just-It’s a nasty business, growing up with someone who you secretly, quietly hope dies so that you don’t have to. I thought it would be better to have one child who knew what was going to happen rather than two or three that wondered. And lord knows we couldn’t have handled many more of you.”

Bruin kept quietly staring at the sky as the sun went down.

His father spoke up again, “When our hometown got attacked, your uncle and I both waited too long, hoping the other would go first. He was older and already had a wife and kid. I went in and he didn’t, and now we can’t look each other in the eyes. Because we both know, we know that fewer people would’ve died if we hadn’t been playing chicken with each other.”

His father turned to look at him

“Don’t repeat this anywhere your mother might hear, but I’m glad you’re going. And I will tell you what I wish my brother would’ve said to me all those years ago - If you want, I’ll go with you. No one should face what you’re about to do alone, and it could still be my fate.”

Bruin nodded

“Thank you, but Mom should at least be able to keep her husband if she’s going to lose her son. Besides, Guillermo owes you.”

“He owes you more right now.”

“Yeah, I’ll take him with me. As far as he’ll go.”

Bruin moved to get it up, but before he could, his father pulled him into a tight embrace. It was a vice grip like he was afraid Bruin would fly away If he loosened at all.

“Even if I only got nineteen years with you, they were good years. I’m proud of you, and I’m happy to have had you as a son. I’d do it all again.”

“I love you Dad.”

“I love you too, try to stay alive. Even if seems impossible, please try.”

“I will.”

He wasn’t lying this time.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Their wedding was small.

They didn’t send invitations, they knocked on the doors of their neighbors themselves, and told anyone they could to come to the wedding. His father pitched in for the beer, which came at a discounted price, and Abby's mother gave her an old wedding dress and wove her a flower crown.

People knew. He got a lot of shoulder clasps and sad looks and, “I’m glad you get to do this before you go.”

It was heartbreaking.

But he was happy he was marrying Abagail, she was somehow immune to the public dirge around them. She was laughing and dancing and drinking as much as she would at any normal party, and if he just looked at her everything was normal.

She kept pulling him on the dancefloor and laughing at him.

“How does a boy who works to attune his body every day still have two left feet?”

“You know how little I dance.”

She gave a long dramatic sigh, “Pretend I’m a monster and react to my movements.”

“You mean dodge? That’s all I know, you know that’s all I know.”

“I mean mimic them but backward, that’s kind of dodging.”

He leaned back as she moved forward and chased her as she pulled away. He mirrored her movements and caught her when she dipped. It did feel like training in a way and he wondered if he should’ve been doing this more all along, reacting to another person’s body movements in quick succession. It was fun and intimate.

He kissed her deeply afterward, in the center of the dancefloor, in the middle of it all, and surprised exclamations went out. He knew this part. They’d experimented with this part together under an apple tree on the far side of his training field, but it was nice to do it here. it was a touchstone of familiarity and it made it feel all the more real with the people cheering around them.

When he pulled away he could see other people on the dancefloor clapping and cheering for them. The human urge to forget their worries, dance and drink had taken over. Bruin and Abby's display had been seen as permission to relax.

He was glad of it. He was tired of mourning.

He pulled her away from the center of the hall to sit down on hay bails together as others took up the dance.

She was on leaning on him, and for not the first time that night, he wished, a little bit, that it could all be real.

“Thank you, for all of this. You’ve made this… a good night.”

“Hey, if nothing else, it gives the next day something to live up to.”

“He should take dance lessons beforehand and be ready to be mocked.”

She howled with laughter, the alcohol making it a little bit more cacophonous.

He leaned back on the wall, watching his neighbors all mingle and be happy together.

There was something to just watching people let loose and be their full selves, embarrassing and goofy, or mistakenly sympathetic.

He ached with a bittersweet pain as he looked on. There were so many small quirks to the way people acted that he never noticed, social dynamics he never observed. He was at once filled with a strong love for everyone in that room, and sharp pain that he’d never get to them better.

“People… people are fun. I wish I got to know our neighbors more. I wish I’d gone to more events like these.”

She pointed to a Boy twirling his little sister.

“He called me a whore to my face after he was with me. He blamed me for leading him astray from his dear love Daisy like it’s my fault the bastard was inconstant. Daisy’s over there getting drinks for them both in the corner. She decked me. Right after that was the time I asked you to show me how to properly hold a punch. And… him,”

She drunkenly pointed to the bartender. “He used to call me frizzy head when I was a kid and told me I looked like an untamed little beast. It’s why I had my hair in braids all the time. But he also gives candied nuts to children so I guess it balances out,” Her face was fully pressed into his arm, “You never got close to any of them, so they never got to hurt you. They’re not bad folks, just, human. Which means they’re messy and don’t look where they’re swinging. You never hesitated from your goal because you never heard them talk about how your dreams were childish or stupid.”

“Is that last part things people have said to you, or gossip you’ve heard about me?”

“A little of both I’m afraid.”

“Yeesh. Well, they’re right I guess. I did all that training and preparing for nothing. I’m still going to die.”

“Hey. Hey hey hey hey,” She put his face in between her hands and stared him in the eyes. “None of that now. Just because this is A monster, doesn’t mean it’s Your monster. You could still win this. I know it’s big and scary, and you’re comparatively a shrimp, but you’re smart. I’ve seen you read books from other languages because” and here she did a scarily accurate imitation of his voice “because the only effective guide on werewolves is in svelkish.  I know you’re smart, you can’t hide it from me. You got this. You’ll figure it out.” She nudged him, "I'd bet good money on it."

………………………………

Bruin left in the early morning with a small pack, the family horse, and Guillermo as his guide.

He hugged his parents tight and kissed his best friend/ new bride one last time. All that could be said already was. It was time to go.

[winterolympicssports2018-blog]

Team USA Hockey Eliminated By Czech Republic In Olympic Shootout Loss | Olympics

Click here for More Olympics Updates https://www.winterolympian.com/team-usa-hockey-eliminated-by-czech-republic-in-olympic-shootout-loss-olympics/

Team USA Hockey Eliminated By Czech Republic In Olympic Shootout Loss | Olympics

There will be no Miracle on Ice redux in Pyeongchang.

The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team had its medal dreams dashed Tuesday night, losing 3-2 in a shootout to the Czech Republic in a quarterfinal matchup.

Team USA didn’t go down without a fight, though, as Boston Bruins prospect Ryan Donato opened the scoring with his Olympic-leading fifth goal of the tournament.

After the Czechs scored the next two goals, U.S. forward Jim Slater netted the equalizer in the second period to make it 2-2, a score that held until overtime.

Neither team could tally the game-winner in OT, so the game went to a shootout. But this time, the Americans couldn’t duplicate T.J. Oshie’s magic from Sochi in 2014.

Team USA failed to score a single goal in the shootout, with Czech goaltender Pavel Francouz stoning Donato on his attempt.

Petr Koukal did the honors for the Czech Republic by scoring both of his team’s shootout goals, including this game-winner on U.S. goalie Ryan Zapolski:

It was a disappointing end for the U.S., which finished with a 2-3 record at the Games while competing without any NHL players. The Americans now have medaled just twice since winning gold at the 1980 Olympics — silver medals at the 2002 and 2010 Games.

The Czechs, meanwhile, will advance to the semifinals to take on the Olympic Athletes of Russia.

Thumbnail photo via Andrew Nelles/USA TODAY Sports Images

Source link

[gunjumped-blog]

🙌🙌🙌 !!

SLATER CARLYLE, aka the devil in disguise. head of the national news network, made to terrify the populous into staying inside their homes. ‘  anyonecould recognize that slater carlyle was a beautiful man, despite how quickly heapproached his old age. there was a gap between his two front teeth and his furrybrows would wrinkle so deeply when in thought it’d change the entire map of hisface. harlow admired him for what he was: a leader.  ’

SAM VASSAR, aka the boy next door. flynn’s first love & one neurotic son of gun. loves kids, comic books, and nature. covered in freckles from head to toe. (sort of) the main reason flynn ran away from home. 

OLD MAN MURRAY, aka everyone’s grandpa. the owner of murray’s, the mutant-friendly diner where emily and bruin work. regularly falls asleep in booths. says cryptic shit way too often. likes to scare children for fun. 

[marketprdaily]

Mick Cronin wins UCLA debut as Bruins rally past Long Beach State

Mick Cronin wins UCLA debut as Bruins rally past Long Beach State

Long Beach State guard Jordan Roberts #2 shoots over UCLA Bruins forward Cody Riley #2 in Westwood on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Long Beach State guard Colin Slater #14 lets out a yell after losing the ball in Westwood on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

Sound The gallery will resume inseconds

UCLA…

[yahoo-puck-daddy-blog]

What We Learned: The NHL's other looming free agent apocalypse

Blake Wheeler will be difficult for the Jets to retain. (Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

After all the attention that has been understandably paid to Toronto’s current and future salary cap situation, it got me thinking about other elite teams and what their cap situations look like going forward.

Obviously Tampa is going to have some big issues dealing with their roster, even before the potential addition of Erik Karlsson, simply because they have so many elite and very good players. They’re already close to a cap crunch of sorts, and next summer they will have to strike new deals for Nikita Kucherov, Yanni Gourde, Brayden Point, Anton Stralman, Slater Koekkoek, and Jake Dotchin, among other players.

It’s therefore likely that seismic changes are on the way for that roster, but this is something that’s already pretty broadly acknowledged league-wide. However, there’s another top team that is going to be staring down some serious issues in the future and could end up having to make some difficult decisions in short order.

Winnipeg currently has the lowest cap obligation in the league as of this writing (less than $52.7 million, giving them about $26.8 million to play with right now). As we await word of new contracts for seven restricted free agents. While most of them aren’t going to be too expensive, the new deals for Connor Hellebuyck and Jacob Trouba will likely be significant. Altogether you can expect those seven guys to pull perhaps $20 million against the cap, which leaves the Jets with plenty of room this year.

That is, one supposes, a benefit of finding a buyer for Steve Mason’s contract and Paul Stastny bouncing for Vegas with no replacement in sight except probably from within.

But it’s next year that’s the problem. The Jets will enter the 2019 offseason with about as much money in cap obligations as they have this year, but a good chunk of the core likely locked up long-term. However, they will also have to re-sign Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor among their RFAs, and both will probably be quite costly. Laine especially could potentially command at least Leon Draisaitl money, if not more (one supposes this depends heavily on what the Leafs give their pending RFAs). Again, these are deals the Jets can comfortably fit under the cap.

But it’s the UFAs that pose some serious problems. Can they reasonably afford to retain or find replacements for Blake Wheeler and Tyler Myers? You can say what you like about Myers’ contributions to the team, especially vis a vis his $5.5 million cap hit, but he’s at least a second-pair defenseman and those seem to be getting fairly expensive these days; you can probably get an upgrade at the same price point, but not as much as one might think, even if the cap goes up substantially again (which it probably won’t).

However, you absolutely won’t find a reasonable replacement for Wheeler, who’s a point-a-game guy and makes just $5.5 million against the cap. So the question becomes how much do you pay him, since he’ll be 32 to start the new deal, and what do you reasonably expect from him? Because if you’re committing multiple years and a raise to a player that far past 30, you might be in a bit of trouble sooner than later.

And while there will be a few intriguing UFA forwards potentially hitting the market that same summer (Tyler Seguin, Jeff Skinner, Jordan Eberle) the question, again, becomes what you pay those guys to hopefully be almost as good as Wheeler.

The issue for the Jets isn’t so much the salary cap as it is the fact that they’re a budget team. They have a small venue in a small market and have traditionally shied away from really approaching the cap ceiling. Last year they were more than $5 million short of it, and the season before that their obligations were about $6.5 million short. So the question becomes not only if the Jets will be able to keep those guys, but if they have the stomach to push that close to the cap ceiling (likely over $80 million at the very least) to do it. They have never exceeded $70 million in cap obligations, and though they probably will this year, one wonders if there’s a natural stopping point south of whatever the cap’s upper limit is.

If so, that creates some potentially uncomfortable questions for Kevin Cheveldayoff. On the one hand, the Jets are likely to be a top-five team in the league again this season and that carries with it the need to be as competitive as possible with an elite roster. But can this team really afford to potentially let Wheeler and/or Myers walk in free agency and get nothing in return?

There is only one bad contract on the roster that could be moveable, because that ill-advised Dmitry Kulikov deal expires after 2019-20 and you might be able to talk someone into taking your $4.33 million bottom-pair defender if you sweeten the pot or pull off a stunning con.

I don’t know that there’s a comfortable answer in what to do here, especially if there’s an internal budget that must be adhered to. You probably can’t trade a Wheeler-type player if you’re in the thick of a divisional title and potentially going after the Presidents’ Trophy. But if you keep him, don’t win the Cup, and then maybe have to let him walk in free agency, that’s going to be tough to deal with organizationally.

Again, you don’t often get multiple years of a guy scoring a point a game for just $5.6 million, so the Jets have enjoyed a significant luxury. They likely won’t get anything like it again in this league.

This is, to be sure, a rich man’s problem. When you have so many good players it becomes difficult to pay them all, it’s a lot better than the alternative. And Cheveldayoff has really put the Jets in a position where they have relatively few contracts on the books that could even be considered “iffy.”

How he maneuvers out of this fix will be pretty telling when it comes to the future of one of the best young teams in the league.

What We Learned

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks’ power play wasn’t that good the past few years, but is it really something they can fix?

Arizona Coyotes: It’s good that we’re getting more stories about how it’s not easy to be a person of color and play this sport at a high level.

Boston Bruins: Yeah, pretty hard to disagree with this assessment.

Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel has been in the league too long to be able to change his number without also changing teams. It’s unacceptable.

Calgary Flames: If Spencer Foo makes the Flames’ roster, that’s probably not a good sign for the Flames’ depth.

Carolina Hurricanes: You really have to like that Calvin de Haan deal but at the same time, it’s not some sort of huge game-changer.

Chicago: Bowman hasn’t made a move to improve this team’s not-good defense, which seems like it’s not a good idea.

Colorado Avalanche: Where did anyone on earth get the idea that John Tavares might have even considered signing with Colorado? Come on.

Columbus Blue Jackets: That was a nice little extension for Boone Jenner. Can’t be mad at it.

Dallas Stars: If you get the chance to add Erik Karlsson, you take it regardless of what’s being asked. But Jeff Skinner wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.

Detroit Red Wings: It’s possible that Filip Zadina would be able to play in the AHL if he doesn’t make the Red Wings roster, but he’ll probably make the Red Wings roster.

Edmonton Oilers: Who could have seen this Lucic deal turning into a nightmare on the day it was signed? No one!

Florida Panthers: The Panthers are gonna be a cap-limit team. Probably should have kept those Vegas guys, eh?

Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have invested in a startup with four employees and no headquarters that makes it cheaper to make good ice for hockey rinks. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Minnesota Wild: Remember when it used to be a big scandal to suggest the Wild didn’t have a lot of impact talent on the roster? Well…

Montreal Canadiens: This Shea Weber thing is so awful for the Canadiens and Marc Bergevin specifically. There are EIGHT years left on this guy’s deal.

Nashville Predators: The Preds just made a big free agency mistake.

New Jersey Devils: No. Next question.

New York Islanders: This is one of those “whether he likes it or not” things.

New York Rangers: A thing teams with cap space should always do is try to get in on trades as third-party negotiators, take on some salary and get picks and prospects out of it. Always use as much cap space as you can if it gets you something.

Ottawa Senators: This headline is bleak.

Philadelphia Flyers: Based on where Christian Folin went to college, this is a very savvy pickup.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Barring a bounceback year from Matt Murray (possible), the Pens are firmly outside the top five teams in the league but also probably somewhere solidly in the top eight.

San Jose Sharks: Nice little contract for Dylan DeMelo. Term and money look good for both sides.

St. Louis Blues: Dmitrij Jaskin never really panned out as expected, huh? He only had six goals last season.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Pretty amazing how fast you can go from “we might be done for the summer” to “we might trade for one of the best players alive.”

Toronto Maple Leafs: We’re still gonna act like the Leafs have the flexibility to trade for a defenseman of note, huh?

Vancouver Canucks: Im… improve the power play? Am I reading that right?

Vegas Golden Knights: I love this Colin Miller deal. Really good player signed cheap for his entire prime.

Washington Capitals: Real nervous to see how this Tom Wilson deal works out. It’s gonna be bonkers.

Winnipeg Jets: This is bold prognostication.

Gold Star Award

This is very nice from Vegas.

Minus of the Weekend

Just trade Karlsson already!!!

Perfect HFBoards Trade Proposal of the Week

User “xNogaitx” has it figured out.

To Montreal: Carl Hagelin (4M) Daniel Sprong (750k) 2019 1st round pick Conditional 2021 2nd round pick *

To Pittsburgh: Max Pacioretty (4.5M) – Retained 2M Paul Byron (1.16M)

Signoff

No mother, it’s just the Northern Lights.

Ryan Lambert is a Puck Daddy columnist. His email is here and his Twitter is here.

(All stats via Corsica unless otherwise noted.)

[mmckenzieport]

By Melissa McKenzie

The December calendars of Santa Clara City Council Members have been out for over a week, and there’s still something missing: all meetings with Banner Public Affairs from previous months. As the Weekly reported back in November, Peter Hillan and Banner Public Affairs had multiple meetings with members of council and those meetings were not disclosed within their monthly public calendars. During that same month, City Attorney Brian Doyle said the biggest repercussion for a Council Member omitting meetings outlined by the ordinance was that the calendars be rectified.

As Santa Clarans wait for Council to abide by its own rules, which include calendars being posted by the tenth of each month—a rarity—the Weekly will continue to report the facts and meetings outlined within the calendars each month.

At the Nov. 21 Council meeting, Doyle made a note that calls were not required reporting material, but soon thereafter then-Vice Mayor Dominic Caserta began listing phone conversations relating to City business as a showing of his attempt at being more transparent. This month, Mayor Lisa Gillmor followed suit, listing a phone call with Related Executive Vice President Steve Eimer regarding the City Place project on Dec. 11 and a second on Dec. 27. Other notables from the Mayor’s calendar include a Dec. 4 introduction meeting with Council Member Teresa O’Neill and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Chief Executive Office Nuria Fernandez, a Dec. 11 meeting with Menlo Equities’ Jane Vaughn about the development at Tasman and Great America Parkway, a meeting on Dec. 12 with Mariani’s Inn and Restaurant’s Lou Mariani and Linda Leca about the Mariani project on El Camino Real, a meeting with Andy Ratermann of the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees on Dec. 15 regarding a potential school district bond, and a meeting with San Jose Council Member and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors candidate Donald Rocha about “Santa Clara civic issues.”

Newly appointed Vice Mayor Kathy Watanabe had a Dec. 15 meeting with Judi Muirhead of SCUSD’s Board of Trustees and her husband, WVMCCD Board of Trustees Member Karl Watanabe, regarding the aforementioned bond; a Dec. 13 meeting with O’Neill and retired engineer and Mountain View resident Robert Holbrook about “south flow air traffic;” and a meeting with Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors candidate Pierluigi Oliverio regarding Supervisor Seat 4 on Dec. 26.

Caserta’s calendar continued to list phone conversations, showing just how much of Council’s meetings regarding developments and other issues occur over the phone. To close out 2017, he had four phone calls regarding affordable housing, one with Eimer on Dec. 5, four calls regarding the new Nob Hill store in Santa Clara and labor issues, a call with former City Attorney Ren Nosky regarding City Attorney issues on Dec. 18 and one with former City Manager Rajeev Batra about his retirement benefits issue on the same day, three with the Santa Clara Weekly, another with Eimer on Dec. 19 and a call with communications consultant Shawn Spano on community engagement for Levi’s Stadium on the same day, and finally, a call with David Neale of The Core Companies on 90 North Winchester on Dec. 20.

Caserta had only two in-person meetings to note in December, one with Bob Mendholson of Republic Metropolitian and attorney Robert Mezzetti about the Santa Clara University housing project on Dec. 5 and one with Slater Construction’s Chris Pellecchia regarding “City business.”

O’Neill’s calendar showed a briefing for governance discussion with VTA and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) with Fernandez and VTA staff members Angelique Gaeta, Carolyn Gonot, and Dennis Ratcliffe and Board Members Jeannie Bruins, Supervisor Cindy Chaves. and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. Ironically the Dec. 4 meeting happened two and a half hours prior to the introduction meeting O’Neill had with Gillmor and Fernandez. O’Neill is currently the Vice Chair of VTA’s Governance and Audit Committee.  Other finds on O’Neil’s calendar include a meeting with Ratermann about the SCUSD bond on Dec. 15, a lunch meeting with former City Council candidate and current Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tino Silva ��to discuss career developments, charter review recommendations [and] Santa Clara [sic] future direction” on Dec. 15, an introduction with Senator Bob Wieckowski’s staff liaison to Santa Clara Alexandra Gallo on Dec. 20 and Rocha regarding Santa Clara and Santa Clara County District 4 issues.

Council Member Pat Kolstad’s calendar was light again, with only six public meetings and one public event listed, while Council Member Debi Davis’ calendar contained all public meetings and public events less two holiday lunches with Gillmor and Watanable and Gillmor and O’Neill on Dec. 18 and Dec. 20 respectively, and a social lunch with Gillmor and O’Neill on Dec. 30.

Lastly, Council Member Patricia Mahan, attended only one public meeting and one public event before announcing on Dec. 5 she would be taking the remainder of the month off to undergo surgery and treatment for a tumor in her spine.

Since the current council took office in November of 2016, Related Companies or its lobbyist Jude Barry has publicly recorded 40 meetings regarding City Place or other topics. Although most developers did not have any recorded meetings with Council Members in December, the tally of 34 meetings between SummerHill and City Council and 11 meetings between Council and the Irvine Company or its lobbyist Jim Cunneen remains.

View Santa Clara Council Member calendars at http://santaclaraca.gov/government/about-santa-clara/public-calendars-of-certain-city-officials.