On April 22nd, during Game 5 of the Flyers/Devils Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series, Ian Laperriere blocked a Paul Martin slapshot. With his eyebrow. It took 70 stitches to close the gash. This was the second time this season he sacrificed his face for the Flyers’ logo on his sweater. The first cost him 7 teeth and, 120 stitches or so later, he returned to the ice and finished the game.
Unfortunately, the eyebrow incident resulted in a mild concussion, blurred vision and a brain contusion, and will cost “Lappy” the rest of the playoffs.
On April 25th, I suffered a nosebleed (my first not induced by a fist). It started at 9:30 in the morning, just a drip. After several ‘pinchings’ and 3 hours of “What the…?”, I took a trip to the Emergency Room. After about an hour, I was on my way home with a new balloon up my nose.
It wasn’t long before I started leaking again, and after a call to the ER Doc who treated me, I was back to have the balloon adjusted.
Long story short, I needed to go back a third time for a 5 hour, and much more painful, attempt to stem the flow. It ended at 2 AM with a foam tampon insert doing the trick. It comes out today, and hopefully that’s the end of it. In the meantime, there has been major discomfort in my face and one helluva headache.
Apparently I’m no Ian Laperriere. I don’t suffer pain above the neck very well. A severe headache will relegate me to bed in a cool, dark, quiet room. A nasty toothache can have the power to immobilize me. Having teeth pulled just plain old sucks, but in the end it’s really just an ache that I can, for the most part, deal with.
I almost didn’t get this entry written this week, since my concentration level was so low due to the pain in my head. The Spirit of Lappy got me motivated. I just couldn’t not do it.
Oh, and Lappy, if by some chance you happen upon this blog, get well soon. You are an inspiration to all who watch you play, and you epitomize selflessness and inspire us all to give it everything we’ve got in whatever we do. Take good care of yourself and hopefully we’ll see you back in the Orange and Black for next year’s run for the Cup.
** Tangent Man — Keith Filling… a fantasy and NHL hockey junkie who has a lot to say about the reality of life experiences, Scotch, hockey, music and the bane of being addicted to a fantasy game. Read more of his work over at his “Off on a Tangent” blog.
Lukin
April 28, 2010 at 8:48 am
I told you numerous times to stop picking your nose TM
Nice read
Brian Metzer
April 28, 2010 at 9:11 am
Wow! The first documented Lukin appearance at my new place! How are you my friend?? Great to see you here…
Lukin
April 28, 2010 at 9:39 am
I only did it for TM
Mayor of Angrytown
April 28, 2010 at 9:40 am
Crushed to hear the Laperriere news yesterday. Losing him bothers me more than losing Gagne and Carter. Bizarre tangent in this blog I must say. Sorry to hear about your nose. For some reason I don’t find it at all odd that the fix to your particular problem was a tampon… and I still don’t know anything about scotch.
Brian Metzer
April 28, 2010 at 9:57 am
well, I still appreciate the appearance Lukin!
Mayor of Angrytown
April 28, 2010 at 10:02 am
What’s with all the Lukin love? Some schmuck from the Florida panhandle gets his butt banned a dozen times or so on a hockey blog and suddenly he’s Mr. Popular.
; p
Brian Metzer
April 28, 2010 at 10:09 am
haha… sorry Mayor! Happy to have you too! He used to raise some hell in my hockey buzz blog and this is the first I have seen him since the move!
I appreciate you being here as well! Great seeing some familiar faces!
Lukin
April 28, 2010 at 10:16 am
up yours MOAT I think I have been ban free in 2010
Brian Metzer
April 28, 2010 at 10:17 am
JINXED!
tangent_man
April 28, 2010 at 10:20 am
Feels like old home week in here. Nice. 🙂
Don’t worry, Mayor…we can take care of your Scotch education any time.
Brian Metzer
April 28, 2010 at 10:22 am
This is reminding me of one of my old Pens/Flyers turnpike series blogs!
Mayor of Angrytown
April 28, 2010 at 10:36 am
Lukin, dude, the only thing that’s kept you ban free is the fact that MJL finally escaped puberty.
Tangent, bud, I hope you know more about scotch then you do about home brew.
BAZINGA! hahahaha
Keep the blogs coming. The Pens could use some traffic.
Lukin
April 28, 2010 at 10:37 am
see if I ever buy you beer at the wach again while sitting next to you MOAT
Nails
April 28, 2010 at 10:38 am
wow, lukin ban free for 4 whole months.
Lack of hot chips must have mellowed you out.
Lukin
April 28, 2010 at 10:43 am
FU too nails.
jws66
April 28, 2010 at 11:58 am
Congrats kids on the IOMTHL championship! Nice blog..you too Metz!
rockychocbill
April 28, 2010 at 12:53 pm
“It could be a tumor”.
“It’s not a tumor”.
🙂