Okay, what to say this time? All right then, lets get right into it.

Doomsday Clock for the Diablos--6 days 0 hours 20 minutes

That's gametime BTW. I want the result of that game to be a foregone conclusion from the Very. First. Faceoff.

Okay....so hockeywise....not so much going on. I am looking foreward to our scrimmage saturday against the Moose. Or I guess their full name is the Big Gay Moose. For all you out there not involved in HockeyWorld, we have here in the great Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota, the quiet little phenomenon of the TCGHA.

Anyone want to take a guess on what that stands for? Anyone? Bueller??

No?

Okay...Its the Twin Cities Gay Hockey Association. How great is that? I mean, first of all, Only in Minnesota for starters. I mean....tolerant and artsy urban core? The undisputed State of Hockey?

"Hey!......You got your apple martini in my 23oz Budweiser!!!"

Actually I don't want to stir up ugly stereotypes, but when I tell people (my brother for one) they usually say "no way!" But the thing is, when you think about it, it's a no-brainer. I mean, if I'm permitted to stereotype a teensy bit; most gay men are not at all the swishy type. But a lot of them are well....pretty freaking fit. Canadian author Dave Bidini--Tropic of Hockey is a MUST read for anyone who likes this game and likes books (in other words--not a crazy person) Well, he describes playing all gay male teams as (if I can recall it right) "facing tough, sculpted, hard bodied men with a legitmate axe to grind. An axe they grounded into my face!" Of course, the AHA (our league) is no check so nothings that rough. Anyway from what I heard, the last time we played these guys (I missed it) was really cool. They actually announced everyone's name's and positions before the game (yep...they brought an announcer. Can you believe that? I think that's awesome)

But the real issue--and why, in a way, makes even this little blog entry feel a bit like paleosociology--is that as far I can see, NOBODY GIVES A CRAP. Show up at Ridder, wear our white uniforms. Play some freaking hockey.

That’s the important thing is this. We're all hockey players. That's what makes that famous scene in Miracle so powerful. You know, the "Bruise on the Leg is a Long Way From The Heart" scene. (Krazy Kirk's fav).

Locker room. Lake Placid. 1980 Olympics:

Herb Brooks: *under breath*......candy ass.....

Rob MacClannahan: What did you call me??

Brooks: You heard me...

Mac: You want me to play on one leg? Is that what you want??

Brooks: I want to be a hockey player!!

Mac: I AM A HOCKEY PLAYER!!!!

Let me tell you all something out there--even if it is, you know, all you guys on the team mostly :)--. Being a hockey player is really really cool thing to be. Admit it or not, it seeps into your identity and pretty soon it's just part of who you are. That's what that scene is all about there. Don't just play the game. Be who you are. And don't you fucking tell me that I'm not who I the fuck am.

BTW, in real life MacClanahan never really forgave Brooks for that insult. All the way to Herb's death. He understood rationally what Herb was trying to do, but was so hurtful that he never got a chance to resolve it 100%.

One of the many costs of reaching greatness I guess.....

Keep the blades sharp out there,

-Kai #10