Except for some schooling in the midwest, I was born and raised in California.
I loved the idea of the NCAA hockey final in Anahiem. It was different and I
found a ton of things to do (as opposed to being bored to death in Providence
or Albany).
 
Erik Biever came up with a great idea -- lets have a NCAA final in NEW
ORLEANS. Alabama-Huntsville or Nebraska-Omaha can be the sponsor. The reason I
go to these things are 1) hockey, 2) party, and 3) people. This way New
Orleans will have all three.
 
Thoughts:
1) Of all the people at JT Schmidt's, only one table had kids at it -- mine.
My nine year old son is already a college hockey fan, but we captured a new
one in four year old Kelly Michelle who loved Bananas, Sparty, Sparky (the
Seawolf), and Wiley Cat (Fenton?).
 
2) Friday's boat ride back from Santa Catalina Is. was the first time in my
life that I have taken motion sickness medicine. But it was worth the trip
even if it meant missing the Hobey Baker presentation to a player who's on-ice
performance proved very deserving.
 
3) The Spartan goalie should sue his defenders for lack of support. The
goaltending in the whole tournament was the best I have ever seen. Six
fabulous performances. I have never seen so many "sure goals" get stopped.
 
4) It was a pleasure talking to the Hockey-L crowd during the breaks. What fun
people.
 
5) And yes, when I wasn't at the games, I was at Disneyland. With a nine and
four year old in our group, we closed the place two nights in a row. I'm not
use to being up that late and being sober.
 
6) Speaking of which, screw the NCAA and their anti-beer policy. Their ad in
the program was stupid and insulting --- it showed a circle (top view of a
glass) with a quarter of a football, baseball, basketball, and the last
quarter was foam from a beer. The caption asked "What are you here for?" They
need to learn the difference between substitute goods and complimentary goods.
Do they think I'll start punching out the mascots if I have a beer or two or
three (if OT)? If it was an NCAA mascot, then yes.
 
Nathan Eric Hampton
 
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