Friends and places along the hockey road...

Hockey is an amazing sport,if you are lucky it grabs you when you are young like frozen toes and doesn't let go. Some discover it later in life, when they are probably old enough to know better and fall in love with the sport anyway. I was lucky, growing up on a pond I have a basic understanding of hockey, it's culture and players. However, I am far behind in game smarts. In the last few years several kind friends have tutored me in the finer points of the game as it exists today and not as I idealize it with childhood memories. Good teachers like Wolf, an AHL off-ice official and a good friend,who has taught me the importance of concentration at a game and owing a current rule book. Jessica with whom I can discuss the finner points of mechanism of injury as it relates to players,their recovery and performance. Last but not least Timmy and Princess who although they have great hockey minds their true calling is heckling. It is through their efforts that countless fans have been taught to see just what the ref is missing, understand how control of the play is lost and when the proper time it is to start the classic "ref you suck" chant. A rant that is far over used in most areas.

Then there are the amazing people you meet on road trips, the characters and friends you touch along the way are often the second compelling reason to make the journey. What is Grand Rapids with out meeting up with Badger and a drink at the VanDell bar? Hamilton and Manitoba, two cities that can boast of the most welcoming fans I have ever met. It is impossible not to have a good time in either of those towns. The local fans greet you with open arms, feed you, invite you to great parties and treat you like one of their own. Even in the hottest of playoff series, you can't beat Canadian hospitality.


Rockford,next year they will be an opponent but until now the Metro has been a second home, with Stinky, Elvis and others to liven up an already exciting game.




Lastly Toledo, the jewel in the crown of road trips. Last year the Storm closed their doors on a stadium that was not so lovingly described by one of their past players parents as a "hole". True, the halls in places were three shoulders wide, the ice had puddles and the air,well, could only be described as rank. But, the old girl had character,the kind that can't be bought. You know it when you see it, seats worn by the millionth bottom sitting in them, floors with grooves from fans rushing to seats. A great cup of coffee served with a smile during the third period to keep you awake for the long drive home. Although we never saw any I suspect the rats were only kept in check by the legion of feral cats that lived along Mawnee River just a few feet from the arena. Such a stadium could only attract great traditional hockey fans that are something out of "Slap Shot". The glass only came up to most adults chests, it was possible for a fans to reach down and make contact with players during play. During most games it was not unusual to see a fan was ejected for grabbing an opposing player. Something this photographer observed during the Gwinnett/Storm game we attended, it was treated as a common case of over exuberance on local a fans part. Security handled it quickly and everyone in the stands shrugged their shoulders.Powderhornhockey


Last April while driving home from Hamilton we read that the old girl was closing her doors and the Toledo Storm were taking a years hiatus from the ECHL. In the 08" season the new team with a shiny new stadium will take the ice. It will be new but I doubt that the stadium will get a mention in anybodies blog as a character it's self they have met on road trips.Bless the old girl, they probably miss you already.

Following the team on the road is one of the best parts any sport. It has been a long off season for Wolves fans and we eagerly await the Red Wings Rookie Tournament and Training Camp in September. The Rookie list looks good with a reappearance of last years Chad Denny and a hot Swede of our own to check out. In short..Drop that puck!