Dentists and hockey

So I went to the dentist this week. you know, one of those factory-style ones that some insurance companies cover. I've had fairly good luck with this one in the past but this week's journey was just that, a journey, and it ended poorly. After waiting a half hour I was finally ushered in for the initial consultation, one that included the obligatory x-rays. After being told that the tooth that was giving me discomfort had to be removed, I returned to the waiting area. I was told the dental surgeon was running behind and it would be an hour. No problem, I could wait that long.
So, two and a half hours later my name was finally called and I followed the nurse to the back corner stall where the surgeon worked. I sat, received a shot or two of novacaine and waitied for the numbing to take effect so I could get on with my life. Just one problem, the area where the infected tooth resided still felt like it had full sensation. The doctor, and I use that term VERY loosely, asked if I was getting numb and I replied that I thought so, but that it didn't seem like it was numb around the target tooth. He said wait a few more minutes. After listening to him talk to another doc about the latest movies they'd seen - his taste was terrible - he came back into the stall and proceeded to get ready, asking me to open, lean back, and he began to probe. It hurt, let me tell you, ouch! I saw him reach into my mouth with an instrumemt. I thought it was another needle with some more novacaine that he was going to inject directly into the tooth. Lo and behold, nope. He simply gouged out a notch, so I found out, into the tooth so that grasping it with the removal tools would be easier. Well, not having a second to think or prepare for what came next, he pushed down quite hard and sent pain waves through my mouth and down my body that I had never felt from dental work. Let me tell you, I've had kidney stones, broken bones, back pain that was unreal but none of those felt like this. For those 4 to 5 seconds, it was as tough a pain as I've ever felt. As I writhed and groaned, he stated, "It's out, it's out". Un-freakin'-believable. The whole point of this is to tell anyone out there in the Ewing, New Jersey area who ever reads this, the dental surgeon's name is Dr Kovall, and the dental factory is Eastern Dental in Ewing (greater Trenton area). NEVER go to this guy. I warned you.
Speaking of terrible dental pain, the hockey playoffs are in full swing and though my team has already been banished to the gold course, the first round has been terrific. Four of the first eight series have gone to seven games, there have been multiple overtimes, and the overall play has been exhilirating. Almost every game I've watched has been close and gone down to the last few minutes. I really believe that the NHL playoffs are the most exciting of any of the major team sports, but probably the least watched. It's a shame. Wait a sec, my dog needs some attention.
Anyway, since my team, the NY Rangers, have already exited, I'm doing what I did last year and have begun rooting for my wife's team, the Philadelphia Flyers. When I did this last year, they made it to the finals and that's in spite of my usual kiss-of-death effect on whoever I root for. Look at the record: NY Rangers - one cup in 70 years; NY Mets - one series win in the last 41 years; NY Jets - no Super Bowl appearance since winning it 42 years ago; Michigan Wolverine football - one national championship, and that was shared in my lifetime. Only Manchester United, an English football club I've been rooting for since I was a kid is any good. They happen to have been the best English club overall in the last 20 years. But I have to go to freakin' Europe to find a successful team?? Sheesh!
Back to hockey, the Flyers actually have a fairly good shot to at least get back to the finals this year. Only their goaltending might stop them. They have the most talent up front and a solid defense. But that 3-man goalie rotation is a major worry. No team wins a Stanley Cup riding multiple goalies. You have to get a hot backstop and ride him all the way. Unless that happens, the Phiily cup drought will continue. For my wife's sake, I hope it doesn't. Prediction? Just a good overall playoff season. Buck-buck-buck-bawk.