Brian and Bryan are Playing Hockey: Season 3

It is that time of the year again, the ice is slick, the gear stinks, and the competitive spirits are at an all time high.

Bryan and I are going to be playing Hockey again.

As a recap for those interested.

Season 1: Anaheim Ice (owned and operated by my most hated rival, the Ducks)

This was my first season of playing organized ice hockey.  It was a lot of fun.  We played the Rookie Division on the Maple Leafs.  Two interesting things from this season, 1.) we went undefeated and won the championship, I scored a goal in the championship game. 2.) I wore an XXL jersey because I thought the number on the back was funny. (That was a mistake that won't be made again)

On a side note, after the Championship game Bryan was told he could no longer play Rookie leading us to this...

Season 2: Pasadena Ice

This season very much felt like a sophomore season, we were playing on the Isotopes and we started the season very badly.  In fact one could argue the whole season was bad.  The rink and ice in Pasadena was terrible, the competition was uneven and the worst thing of all we had to pay for parking for every game.  I spent $70 on parking, that's dumb.

Our team while not the most talented did work the best together.  As the season progressed we got better as a team show spurts of good hockey but usually it was bad.  We once again ended the season playing in the championship team going up against the only undefeated team made up of all players that were playing far below their skill level.  We kicked their ass in the final.  I had 2 assists in the final game and it made all the crappiness of the league and playing in pasadena worth it.

Now that brings us to...

Season 3: Westminster Ice

Once again Bryan and I were looking for a place to play hockey.  Not wanting to ever see Pasadena again, and Bryan unable to play rookie in Anaheim, we found Westminster Ice. (which interestingly enough is owned by the Ducks as well).  Bryan and I attended the draft skate on Sunday, I realized how out of shape I am, need more cardio, and Bryan showed how good he is at making people look silly.

The end result, I was drafted to the very nicely named "Wesley Snipers".  I had a whole slew of jokes/ celebrations from Blade, Drop Zone, and other Wesley Snipes classics.  Bryan, however was told a very dreaded piece of news...

Hi Bryan,

Unfortunately the hockey staff do believe you are too strong for the rookie division.  Attached is a refund request form. Please fill out and return and we can process your refund.

Sorry for any inconvenience

So what were two hockey loving boys to do.

Well we were given two options, refund or we get bumped up a level to Bronze.  This isn't such a huge deal for Bryan he has played Bronze before.  But for me I am nervous as all hell.  I had a hard enough time playing against players at my own skill level I can only imagine how well I will do against players that are clearly better then me.

I let my reservations be known to the runners of the league and they spoke to our potential Bronze team captain.  He was more then happy to have Bryan and I join the team.

So without future adieu, here is the schedule for Brian and Bryan's 2011 Spring Hockey Schedule...

...playing for...

the Green Danglemen  (they really like puns in Westminster)

SUN 2-20 @ 6:15PM vs Beer League

SAT 2-26 @ 7:05PM vs Team Jack

SAT 3-05 @ 7:05PM vs Hockey Tron

SUN 3-13 @ 10:25PM vs USA Skates

SAT 3-19 @ 5:45PM vs 5 for Fighting

SAT 3-26 @ 7:05PM vs Beer League

SUN 4-03 @ 6:25PM vs Team Jack

SUN 4-10 @ 6:25PM vs USA Skates

SAT 4-16 @ 7:05PM vs Hockey Tron

SAT 4-23 @ 7:05PM vs 5 for Fighting

SAT 4-30 @ 4:30PM vs Beer League

SAT 5-07 @ 5:40PM vs Team Jack

So if you want to come to any of the game above we would love to see you.  Jenn and Andi will be in the stands.  It should be a lot of fun.

The address for the rink is below.  You can see the rink from the 22 freeway.

Westminster Ice

13071 Springdale St

Westminster, CA 92683

Hockey Preview - Sharks vs Blackhawks

So this time last year I was driving north to visit my parents for Thanksgiving.  I was happy to be going back to the Bay Area but I was unhappy because I wasn't watching the Sharks play the Blackhawks.  Well, some may argue it was good that I didn't watch the game because the Blackhawks destroyed the Sharks to a final score of 7 - 2.

Needless to say, it is Turkey time again, once again I am driving North, and once again the Sharks are playing the Blackhawks.  If history repeats itself I am not going to be very thankful this evening.

The Sharks have been plagued by inconsistency all season, and it seems the only time we can truly win is if we score at least 5 goals.  The game tonight is going to be tough but like our last game against the Kings it is going to serve as a test for how the Sharks compare to a strong team in the Western Conference.

All I am going to ask for is a good game from the Sharks with a strong 60 minutes of hockey.  If they can play to their skill set we should get the 2 points and hopefully renewed confidence.

So to all you readers out there, may we all give thanks their is Hockey today, and pray that our Tiburones from silicon valley can beat down those dark birds from the windy city.

 Remember keep your head up,

and if you are traveling may you travel safe.

Kick-Ass, Waffles, and Hockey...Oh My... aka what I did over the weekend

 

If you have the chance you should all definitely go see Kick Ass.  I saw this great film at the Cinerama Dome and it was amazing.  I would argue that Kick Ass is one of the best super hero movies ever forged.

This film is definitely worth the price of admission.

Waffles...

they are probably the perfect breakfast food.  How to make a waffle better use waffles instead of bread for a breakfast sandwich.  If you want a great Waffle Sandwich go to the Waffle on Sunset...  Order the Double Wide it is amazing.  Below is the link for the site.

The Waffle


This weekend was a great for Hockey.  Let me start with the Sharks and their quest for the cup.  On Friday the Sharks had a must win Game 2 and it was one of the craziest Sharks Games I've seen in a good while.  The Sharks had to come from behind 5 different times and then won in OT off of an amazing play by Devin Setoguchi.



Sunday, I had my second game with the Isotopes in Pasadena.  When we were warming up for the game I was very worried.  Our team is suppose to have 11 to 13 players.  5 minutes before the game we had 6 people.  At the drop of the puck we had 8.

The other team, they had 13.  So to say we were outnumbered was a bit of an understatement.  To make matters even better 5 minutes into the 1st period one of our defenders cut his face open on the ice and had to leave to get stitches.

Despite all of these potential problems we absolutely dominated the other team.  We skated faster then them, we controlled the puck longer and better then them, and it showed on the scoreboard.  We ended up winning the game 4-2.  It was a great game for our team especially after we lost our first game.

That brings us to Sunday night and Game 3 of the Sharks vs the Avs...

The Sharks were absolutely destroying the Avs the entire game.  If it wasn't for Craig Anderson the Sharks would have won the game.  But Anderson was playing like a brick wall stopping all 50 of the Sharks shots.  The game ended very bizarrely in OT when our best Defenseman Dan Boyle went for a routine backhand pass behind the net and sent the puck right past Nabakov.



The Sharks have to win the game on Tuesday to tie up the series 2-2.  If the Sharks bring the same level of play they did on Sunday then they should have no problem in accomplishing this.  The Sharks were dominating the Avs all game and their game plan was working to a T...


The only part of the Sharks game that really needs an improvement is the power play.  The Sharks didn't take advantage on the power play at all during the game.  If the Sharks are going to win this series they are going to need to do better on the power play.

There is plenty of hockey still to be played and I am still optimistic that the Sharks are going to come out on top.

That's all for now...

As always...

Keep your head up.

This is how you win a Hockey Fight

Hockey fighting is often looked at in a negative light.  I am of the school of thought that Fighting has its purpose in the game.  If you give a dirty hit to one of the other team's star players you can expect some repercussions for your actions.  Also, if you continually antagonize a player don't be surprised if he drops the gloves and comes at you.

The following is an example of the later...

Evander Kane of the Atlanta Thrashers should consider signing up for MMA training after this monster 1 punch KO on Penguins antagonizer Matt Cooke.

The best part of all of this is Kane is a forward who isn't suppose to be fighting.  This is an example of when it is better to just do the job yourself.

As always....

Keep your head up there

It's that Time of the Year again...

So once again that time of they year has arrived.

It is playoff time.

One strongly held tradition during this time of the year is the growing of playoff beards. The growing of beards was started back in the 80's by the then dominate New York Islanders.

The idea behind the tradition is each member of your team grows a beard that starts with the first day of the playoffs and the beard is to not be shaven off until the team wins the Stanley Cup or is eliminated.

To show my support of my team I will be joining the Tiburons from San Jose in growing a beard.

While many of you know that I already have a beard...this tradition(at least for me) requires some sacrifice. I am going to completely shave my beard off in the next few days. And let the hair grow hopefully well until June.

I encourage all male Hockey Fans out there to join me in this showing of support for your favorite team.

I'm going to be posting Pictures periodically of what my playoff beard looks like.

We still don't know who the Sharks are playing in the First round but I'm hoping for a Detroit Win tomorrow. That is the only time you will ever hear me rooting for Detroit.

That's all for now...

Here is something to get you all excited for seeing someone raise Lord Stanley's Cup

Remember keep your head up...

Keep Your Head Up

Well here is my first post on my first blog.

Having visited and enjoyed some of my co-workers blogs I decided to start one as well.

Where to begin...

The name of my blog if you can't figure out has to do with my love of Hockey.  There is nothing like jumping over the boards for the first time and skating across the ice.  

Through my upcoming posts I plan on posting about Hockey, specifically my love of the NHL's best team the San Jose Sharks, Video Games, TV, things I find funny, and pretty much any other random subject I can think of...

I hope you enjoy and remember...

once your go Over the Boards you have to Keep Your Head Up.