15 minutes

Steph, my lovely co-blogger, is famous!

But first, a little back story.

As any of you who have spoken to me lately may be aware, I am in deep psychological pain over the fact that Ty Conklin, the man who has become something of a long-standing running joke on NPI (in the most loving of ways, of course) is basically now filling the bright yellow pads of the starting goaltender role for my most beloved Penguins...and doing a fine job at it, to boot. Conks, who's stats so far this season are finding him solidly leading the Pens and undefeated, had puck handled his way into Steph's heart early last year with his tenacity to stay in the NHL (and Syracuse) and keep on playing, even for a myriad of teams. Meanwhile, I chorkled at the thought of him, once more, playing in the NHL post-season, and cried as the Oilers that spurned him rattled around at the bottom of the well. I made comments that I hoped that when they played the Islanders, that MAB stayed far away from Miller. And now, after being signed by my own team (something which made me wail louder than a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory), he is saving the very team I swore would never start him.

Steph, bless her heart, meanwhile made sure to rub it in at every available opportunity - and rightly so, since she never gave up on his little goalie self, even going so far as to make amusing and funny signs for him when she went to see Syracuse play...and now, due to his sudden, and deserved, popularity, incriminating photos of these humorous signs have shown up on The Pensblog, which is the best place to find great photoshops and people with painful signs. I'm sure more will be appearing soon, and I'm even thinking of submitting one of Conks myself....but I'm not sure I can pony up to admitting that maybe, just maybe, he might actually be good for the Pens. I'll give him this, though: he really can handle the puck. I just wish he'd do it without leaving the net in ulcer-inducing spurts and bounds.

Congrats Conks, and Steph as well, I hope you both enjoy the fame good goaltending and a great sense of humor can provide!