Barfalo Not Welcome

The idea for this sign hit me months before the All-Star Game. I unveiled it tonight at the Super Skills Competition and got numerous thumbs up from strangers. Several people wanted to take a picture of it in the stands and as I walked through the parking lot. Too bad the cameras showed no love. Maybe there will be more attention during the All-Star Game tomorrow.

Welcome, Y'all Stars!

It didn't look like any of the fans got any love from the camera men in the house at the Super Skills Competition tonight. There was no t-shirt gun or slingshot, no Storm Squad members (I saw them walking around in the concourse, but they weren't inside in the stands, by the tunnels, or on the ice), nothing going on during the TV time outs. Really it was kind of boring compared to a regular Canes game. I hope the All-Star Game itself has more going on.

Sir Walter Likes Team Staal

The statue of Sir Walter Raleigh currently resides outside the Raleigh Convention Center, where some of the festivities surrounding the 2011 NHL All-Star Game are to be held this weekend. On the All-Star Wide Open website, there was a pic of Sir Walter decked out in hockey pads and holding a stick. I figured it must have been photo-shopped because Sir Walter is larger than your average hockey player. But the image inspired another random act of cleverness.

Even though it was as I had expected, I was disappointed Sir Walter wasn't actually wearing goalie pads when I went downtown to see him in person, but his typical attire - whatever those floofy pants are - still worked with the sign I had made for him. I was just going to climb up there and hold the sign for the photo op, but then I decided to leave it there. Sir Walter himself asked me to make him a sign, after all. No, really, he did. He's on Facebook.

Anyway, I hope nobody charges me with vandalism. I didn't think it could be construed as vandalism; it seemed harmless enough. Walt is a tough guy. He can take it. It's not as if I beheaded him or something.

Home of the Over-Chicken Sandwich

Raleigh is decked out for the NHL All-Star Game with team flags flying on lamp posts on Fayetteville Street downtown and with fancy decals installed in the windows of businesses all over town. Most of the decals are graphics of various all-star players from around the league.

It just so happens that the player whose image graces the Chick-Fil-A at North Hills is none other than Alex Ovechkin, lovingly dubbed "the Over-Chicken" by opponent fans around the league. Coincidence?

Anyway, I could not resist the photo op. Chick-Fil-A: Home of the Over-Chicken Sandwich.

Leafs Are All Bark

Unveiled at Canes v. Toronto Maple Leafs on 01/24/2011. Plenty of Leafs fans in the house. Too bad they went home unhappy. And the rest of us get to enjoy free queso at Moe's since the Canes scored more than four goals. Final score: Canes 6, Toronto 4. (+/-2 from the refs.)

Square Rabbit - Refs Not Welcome

Raleigh is all decked out for the All-Star Game with team flags flying all the way down Fayetteville Street and fancy graphic decals in windows all about town.

And then there is the little Square Rabbit bakery/catering/takeout joint downtown, whose owner chose ME and my fabulous low-tech skill with Sharpies to help welcome hockey fans to her fine establishment.

If you visit the Square Rabbit this week, please let me know if you see any hockey-related specials on the menu. I might have had a hand in those, too.

Big Apple

Made for the Canes game against the New York Rangers on 1/20/2011.

Eat Boogers!

I felt that my usual "CHEER IF YOUR TEAM SUCKS" sign needed a little refresher. I was very pleased that there were two Atlanta Thrashers fans seated just below me on whom I could unleash this sign on 1/9/2011.

I like how I managed to catch a baby in the background of the photo.

Byfuglien Ain't So Tyfug!

Dustin Byfuglien plays for the Atlanta Thrashers (or did when I unveiled this sign at that Canes V. Atlanta game on 1/9/2011). Byfuglien is pronounced like Bufflin.

If BYFUG = buff, then TYFUG = tuff.

Byfuglien ain't so tough.

He looked right at this sign before the start of the second period. I almost felt a little guilty. Then I was afraid he'd score and laugh in my face or something. But the Canes' karma held out, and we won 4-3 in OT.