If you're interested in technical merit or other substantive
hockey discussion, please press Delete now.  This is just another
report of my Hockey-L ramblings around the WCHA, ECHA, and NC$$.
(and also in honor of GroundHog day, see rationale below ;-)
 
The most recent venue was the St. Paul Companies Mariucci Classic
in "balmy" Minneaplois.  What a warm welcome ... It was -7F when I
arrived at the Twin Cities airport!  Quite a change from the 60F
that I had left behind ... it was enough to almost stay on the
plane ;-) In fact, as I found myself among native Minnesotans
and others returning from holiday vacations. They doubted my sanity.
They found it hard to believe that I was in the Twin Cities just
for a few hockey games.
I probably should have been questioning their sanity --- they kept
trying to convince me that "Mariucci" had been torn down.  You
meet some of the most interesting people on airport shuttles.  I
tried to tell them that Memorial Stadium had been torn down.  I even
went into all of the details about how the stadium had a swimming
pool right in the middle, but they just wouldn't listen.
 
Carol, Erik, and Paula were once again, wonderful hosts.  They've
had to "put up" with me three times now (US Olympic Festival '90,
NC$$ '91, Mariucci Classic '93).  This was my first (and last)
chance to see hockey in the "classic" Mariucci.  In July '90
at the US Olympic Festival, Mariucci served as the venue for speed
skating (roller). Paula and Erik's favorite beverage of Russian Tea
just wouldn't have had the same flavor in mid-July.
At the NC$$'s in 1991, I learned all about proper Minnesotan etiquette
for welcoming Wisconsin fans with various "cheese rituals."  This
custom was very tame when compared to the "neighbor" in Carol, Paula,
and Erik's section.  His name is Kirk.  He has an opinion and vocal
comments about everything --- a heckler extraordinaire!  He thought we
should refer to Ferris State as the "Ferris Wheels" or perhaps the
"Fighting Magnets" (presumably based upon some corollary with ferrous
oxide).  He thought the "Fighting Larries" might be an appropriate term
of endearment for St. Lawrence.  A proper cheer would include a "Whoop
... Whoop ... Whoop" like the "Three Stooges" are known to chant.
Kirk is a strong supporter for his Gophers.  Watch for him at a Gopher
game near you ...  but don't ask him about the NBA ...  he's not real
happy about what he refers to as the "Wolvies" (aka the Timberwolves),
especially when the local media displaces Golden Gopher Hockey coverage
for basketball.
 
For at least some semblance of Hockey-L content, a few comments
about the games.  As was mentioned, there was some chippy
play at times.  Sixty minutes of elapsed clock-time to play
a twenty minute period is a little too much.  I thought a new
record might be set for the maximum number of players in the
penalty box.
As for the Gophers, Carol and Erik mentioned their concerns about
the "real" Gophers not showing up at the venue. Carol has her
reservations about the concept of "modular forwards."
 
Since today is GroundHog Day, I can't help but wonder about how
Gophers differ from Groundhogs.  Is there a difference?  Do both
attach special significance to seeing their shadow?  ;-) So many
questions, so few answers ... Perhaps, all would be revealed if I were
to port a Golden Gopher chapeau.  However, a Gopher hat in these parts
would probably be as out-of-place as grits at the local McDonalds in
DinkyTown (U of M campus location).  (For those curious few, grits are a
new menu addition at McDonalds in the South; they are available for
$0.49)
 
I could ramble on about a multitude of other "sights and sounds"
from my visit, but I've already consumed enough network bandwidth.
I merely wanted to share a few observations about the great people
on Hockey-L! (especially in light of recent traffic in the list)
They'll even give you the sweatshirt ...  right off of their back
... Thanks Patti!
 
With Hockey-L and the services available through BITNET/CREN and the
Internet, I stay well-informed about current events in collegiate
hockey.  Hockey-L tips have brought about some great road-trips.
I've even made it to the home turf/ice of our esteemed List Owner,
Wayne Smith.  Alas, it was during baseball season and the Alfond was
without a roof!
 
Per the Bradley Center, I've got a ticket for the NC$$ this year.
Hope to see many of you there!
     James Bradshaw