For a short period of time, long before “She’s All That” captured the imagination of millions and catapulted Freddie Prinze, Jr. to superstardom, “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” was my favorite movie. Chronicling the epic journey of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan, the movie was clearly ahead of its time, combining time travel, world history and the funniest gutter ball of all time.
Growing up in the 1980s, I figured every kid needed a catch phrase. Mine was shamelessly lifted from the movie and hilariously obscene, and I put it to good use at school, church, weddings, dentist appointments, funerals, etc. My parents literally had to stage an intervention and threaten to send me to Alaskan military school to stop me from shouting, “You killed Ted, you medieval dickweed!”
While “Excellent Adventure” stands as one of the most beloved movies of 1989 the sequel, “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” was a massive disappointment. It was so bad that not only did I want my 93 minutes back, but I’ve spent the last 18 years trying to forget it ever existed, because it only detracts from the brilliance of the original.
Tonight, the San Jose Sharks kick off a six-game, 11-day road trip against the Washington Capitals. There’s no doubt Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle are the team’s best forward and defenseman, respectively, and they’ll both play major roles in determining whether the trip turns out to be an excellent adventure or a bogus journey.
I suppose there really isn’t a better time than October for a six-game, cross-country excursion. Everybody’s still fresh, and it’s much easier to win road games during the first month of the season than the last month, when injuries pile up and the grind of an 82-game schedule takes its toll on everybody from the first line center to the seventh defenseman (assuming the Sharks have one at some point).
With so many new and inexperienced faces on the roster, along with the obstacles of injuries and shifting lines, the Sharks are still going through the process of getting to know one another. It’s up to the veterans to carry the load until everybody gets up to speed. Fortunately, there’s nothing better than a long road trip to help a team bond and develop some chemistry.
While players are adjusting to one another, fans are shifting their expectations of the Sharks’ revamped roster. What record would constitute a successful road trip? San Jose reeled in 7 of a possible 12 points during the first six games of the season, and you have to figure anything more than that over the next six games would be an excellent result. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the list of opponents.
The Capitals won their first two games of the season, but they’ve lost four straight by one goal, enduring a murderer’s row of the Flyers, Red Wings, Rangers and Devils. Expect another tight game tonight as two of the league’s top lines go head-to-head. The Islanders appear to be the prime candidate for Thomas Greiss’s first start of the season. They’ve only scored nine goals through their first four games, and the entire offense is revolving around youngsters John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
A marquee matchup takes place Monday night on Versus against the New York Rangers. The Blueshirts are the hottest team in the league, reeling off six consecutive wins and averaging four goals per game. Three nights later the Sharks take on the Lightning, who have jumped out to an early lead in the Southeast Division. Tampa Bay was one of the big winners during the offseason, and defenseman Victor Hedman is already justifying the Chris Pronger comparisons.
It’s too early to tell if the Thrashers can contend for a playoff spot, but they’re scoring at a pretty good clip and appear competitive so far. Plus, I think we can officially call Ilya Kovalchuk the most underrated player in the league. Finally, the Sharks wrap up the trip against the Flyers, who present a dominant mix of offense and physicality. Pronger is having a huge impact and it turns out Ray Emery can still play, which is bad news for the rest of the Eastern Conference.
On October 26, after six games and 11 days, Shark fans will determine whether it was an excellent adventure, producing a string of most triumphant results, or a bogus journey, making people wish they could forget it ever occurred.
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It’s an absolute travesty that Shark fans don’t have a regular postgame show on the radio, but I suppose we’re filling the void here at HockeyBuzz until Dan Rusanowksy decides to use his powers for good. Win or lose, the SharksBuzz Postgame Show will be broadcasting live tonight at approximately 6:30 p.m. PT.
The last couple shows have generated some great discussion and eclipsed the midnight hour. I think my vocal chords will be in serious trouble if tonight’s show runs longer than 5 ½ hours, but it’s all good when you’re having fun and talking puck. Take some time to listen in and give us a jingle at (724) 444-7444, talkcast ID# 74909.
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