We'll SEE just how honest you are....even me, "Mister Don't Panic" himself, might have selected the first couple of choices here.

Hmmm, someone has WAY too much time on his hands...

I actually went back and looked at the threads from early January. I want to believe I still had faith back then, but I can't find anything to prove it.

It's easy to forget how bad we were. Through the end of November, we had won only THREE games. We were 4-9 in December. Yet if you looked hard enough, you could see the progress.

What if I told you that we wouldn't lose another game to Corpus or Laredo after New Years eve? I still can't believe it.

It truly is mind-blowing. They've come a long way, baby!!!

I went back and took a look myself, Batdog, and I didn't find a lot of my own comments from that Christmas-New Year's week, but what I did find reminded me that I was pretty demoralized at the time. It had become a bit of a chore to go to Bats games at that stage of the season, though I haven't missed one all season except for good and unavoidable cause. (I think I've missed three.)

When Lences was cut and McArthur was activated, I mentioned at the time that I wasn't sure we were improving our blue line. That's how bad McArthur had been before going on IR.

Kisio was minus-20 about fifteen games into the season. Within the last week or so I think he was minus-18. That's an outstanding accomplishment for him, and don't believe all his lawyers who are telling you "ohh, he's just a little guy, not a real physical guy," that's bullshit, he's certainly no bully or goon, but he's also shown no fear to hit anyone in the league. He's had an enormous effect on the character and the performance of this team over the last forty games.

Even Miguel had let in some pretty soft goals before Christmas. And imagine where we'd be without him now. I think he'd be a viable candidate for the league MVP. He really led this team back from the brink.

And considering the turnaround, you'd have to give substantial props to Hughes.

It wouldn't shock me for this team not to win the Cup but still have the Coach of the Year and the MVP. It wouldn't be that big a stretch.

I'd rather win the Cup, but I think Arizona's going to do that. When you score seven or eight goals every night, you're probably going to win if you keep your goalie sober.