New Season, New Schedule

It's that time of year--HOCKEY SEASON!  I limited myself to one game a month (this might be difficult to do seeing that my Boston couch source Reese is in Korea), but if I can get NESN in my apartment then almost all my problems will be solved.  The only game I MUST go to is the Round 1 Beanpot against BC at the garden, and also just because I love the Beanpot and the Garden and when BU wins.  The 9-3 preseason start against Toronto isn't a bad sign either.  GO TERRIERS!

Watch the Beanpot in NYC Tomorrow!

Boston University plays Northeastern University tomorrow February 1 in the first round of the annual Beanpot Tournament at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. For my fellow New Yorkers, you can catch all the action at the official BU Beanpot watching party at Mustang Harry's, 352 7th Avenue (b/w 29th and 30th St) at 8 pm. You won't want to miss round 1 of the tournament, as last year, Northeastern lost the Beanpot championship to BU (has won over half of all Beanpot Tournaments).

See you tomorrow night at Mustang Harry's at 8 pm. Go Terriers!

Why My First Rangers Game Sucked But Didn't

January 25 was another eventful hockey night this year, it marks my first ever Rangers game at Madison Square Garden against one of my fav NHL teams and Stanley Cup Champs the Pittsburgh Penguins. It would also be my first time seeing former BU captain and Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy play since the 2009 NCAA National Championship in DC, and my first time seeing Crosby play in real life and not just on my 27" TV.

The Pens scored first, while the Rangers struggled to match the Pens offensively throughout the game. Avery didn't punch anyone and Gaborik didn't score, so naturally, the Pens kicked Rangers ass and won 4-2.

Even though I felt like I was watching a mediocre college hockey game (only 14 shots at the end of the first) and Rangers fans were booing the team for more than half the game, THE GAME WAS STILL FUN BECAUSE:

1) I am a fan of both teams, so EVERY goal was a GOOD goal. I could only come out a winner.
2) Don Draper was at the game. And, you all know how much I effing love Don Draper.
3) My $12 Bacardi-spiked Strawberry drink came in a blinking, siren-like plastic jug that can only be classified as unnecessarily-distracting-and-quite-possibly-the-coolest-cup-alive.
3) Two words: Sidney Crosby (#87).4) Again, seeing one of my favorite BU players play professionally... Matty Gilroy #97.
5) The tickets were a gift from my sweetie for Christmas. The NHL has a conspiracy against us, we are 0-4 in witnessing a home-team win. I guess this means more NHL games until the curse is broken!
6) It's funny to see hockey couples. He's the highest scoring forward and she's the sieve. How appropriate.
This hockey field trip to MSG took a toll on my wallet (damn, blinking cup!), so probably no more hockey adventures for a while... or is it? Vancouver anyone?

BU Beats BC at Frozen Fenway

Five months ago when the Boston University vs. Boston College hockey game at Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park was officially announced, I have been dreaming about what the glorious January 8, 2010 would be like--the crisp smell of clean arena ice, ball park food, hockey jerseys, lots of layers and (if I'm lucky) a nice consistent snowfall. Last night was exactly all of that. It was a magical, frigid night, temperatures in the low 'teens. I almost lost some toes, but it is okay because BU won the game 3-2!

Photo Recap:
Reese and I got matcing Hockey East Frozen Fenway 2010 BU Sherpa beanies
National Anthem--Check out the pretty snowfall!
Fenway even updated the Park scoreboard with the hockey game scoreI absolutely loved the BU Fenway jerseys which Coach Parker designed himself. Unfortunately, the jerseys will not be replicated and the team will be the only ones with it. I guess it makes it even more special. I must say the Red Sox font and blades on the Red Sox logo are pretty awesome. Photo courtesy of The Daily Free Press.
Our seats were right behind the BU bandSasquatch made a late third period appearanceLast night reminded me why I love this city, why I love BU, why I love this sport and why I should probably invest in long wool socks and winter boots.

Red Hot Hockey: BU v. Cornell at MSG

Last night was the first time I've stepped in Madison Square Garden for a hockey game since two years ago at the first Red Hot Hockey BU/Cornell matchup. With a 3-3 tie, I left MSG last night feeling a lot less pumped compared to the last Red Hot Hockey. To be honest, I'm just glad BU was able to tie it up and play more aggressively in the third period. It would have been nice to win in OT, but I was satisfied by the team's performance in the end, outshooting Cornell 13-3.

Nevertheless, with a sold-out crowd of 18,000, the game was fun and nail-biting--everthing I love about going to hockey games.
Now, let's hope BU can keep up the momentum we saw in the third period to this weekend's game against BC, the first time BU is playing its rival (BOOOOO) this season. See you at Agganis Saturday!

Reading Infidelity: Eclipse, Burn the Boats, A.H.W.O.S.G.

Usually, I'm a one-book girl. I don't start a book until I'm done with the book I'm reading; however, desperate circumstances and timely events has caused me to abandon my literary monogamy. I checked out three books this weekend and am very satisfied:

1) Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer I'll be frank, it's not the writing that keeps me reading (I take day-long breaks between chapters to check that my brain is still there and purge all the guilt I have for reading the chapter) but the curiosity of what is to happen next to Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the next Twilight installments?? I mean, aren't you curious? Does Edward ever pop Bella's vampire cherry and turn her into a vampire? Or will Bella ever eat a human? I don't know, this series is absurdly absurd. It's popularity dumbfounding. And, my 11-year old brother sent me the series in a care package.

2) Burn the Boats by Scott Weighart
This is my most anticipated read out of the three. I went all the way to Boston to get it at last weekend's BU v. Michigan game at Agganis Arena, which we won (Wut!Wut!). Boy have I been waiting to relive the past season in book form with a 16-page photo insert. I fought through nausea on the Fung Wah bus to start reading, and in the first chapter, I was already shedding tiny tears. The book recounts the road leading to the national championship starting with the off season. Hearing the players' personal account of the journey, the hard work and team building excercises that went on behind the scenes makes every game of last season even more special. As a fan, I greatly appreciate Weighart's effort to capture the magic that was last year's seven championship season, because I know from experience--you can't put into words what it feels like to be down two goals and then win it ALL in less than a minute in the last period. It's like a heart attack, but the good kind.

3) A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
I stole this book from my friend's coffee table. He said it's been sitting there for three years and I was free to take it (so maybe I didn't steal it). Again (to explain Eclipse), I like free reading material. A.H.W.O.S.G. is a memoir but unlike any memoir I have ready before. I can't explain how it is because it would be complicated, but Eggers basically breaks all conventions of how a book is organized and written and creates a very entertaining, smart and funny book. I haven't gotten too far (since I'm juggling between books--man, polygamy is hard!), but I can tell you this guy is a genius.

All in all, I think I'm going to commit to Burn the Boats first. You know how I like them hockey books and an easy read.

Making Time for 2009-2010 BU Hockey

BU lost its home opener to Notre Dame tonight, 3-0. The first shut out against Goalie Millan I can think of. But like a true Terrier fan, we take the losses with the wins and look forward to future games! It's hard to replicate the significance of every game last season leading up to the National Championship, but there ARE many BIG games this season with Red Hot Hockey at MSG and BU vs. BC at Fenway. It's another exciting year filled with big rivalries and high-blood pressure games, and I've secured tickets for the games highlighted below:

It's OFFICIAL, BU v. BC at FENWAY

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Wade

Holy mother of God, Hockey East announced today that BU will be playing BC at Fenway Park on January 8, 2010!!! I WILL BE THERE, and because I'm nice, here's a link on how to get tix.

BU v. BC at Fenway Please?

Yesterday, the NHL announced Boston's Fenway Park as the location of the 2010 Winter Classic. The Boston Bruins will play the Philadelphia Flyers on New Year's day. The NHL article also mentioned a week long of events prior to and after the Winter Classic in Boston. Events like open skate at Fenway, Dane Cook comedy show, House of Blues concert and a POSSIBLE BU/BC GAME AT FENWAY PARK!

Here's the most important sentence in the entire article:
"There also are ongoing discussions regarding plans for the men's and women's hockey teams from Boston College and Boston University to play games against one another at Fenway on Jan. 8."

Hopefully this happens. Imagine the bragging rights of winning one of the biggest college hockey rivalries in one of the oldest ball parks in America. Since we're on this issue, check out the trailer for "The Battle of Comm Ave" from Rival Films:

I Can't, I Have Hockey

The hockey season may be over, but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it.  Yes, I did witness the best BU hockey season ever--won a national championship, witnessed my third Beanpot win--and nothing could top that; however, there's a lot to look forward to this Fall:

• Rival Films is coming out with a movie about the BU/BC rivalry!! Release date is Novemeber 2009
• An "authorized biography" of the 2008-09 BU Hockey Season named Burn the Boats will include in-depth player interviews and 16-page photo section.  Comes out before next season.
• BU is playing Notre Dame at home in Agganis Arena this Fall on 10/20/09
• The raising of the National Champ flag at Agganis (date to be determined)
• Red Hot Hockey at Madison Square Garden this Thanksgiving (Sat, 11/28/09) against Cornell University 

Once a BU hockey fan, always a BU hockey fan.

Penguins are Stanley Cup Champs

The Pittsburgh Penguins is my go-to NHL team ever since the first Winter Classic in Buffalo and my discovery of Sidney Crosby. My love for the Pens then grew ten-fold when legendary BU goalie Johnny Curry signed with the Baby Pens and now BU's recent Assistant Captain Brian Strait is also heading to Wilkes-Barre Scranton.
*This is two years old, but I got Johnny Curry's autograph!
And tonight, the Pens are STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! Yeaaa, they beat the Detroit Red Wings. Although it was Game 7 at Detroit, I knew the Pens had it in them to win it because they didn't give up Game 6. Also, Detroit won the Cup last year against the Pens, so it makes sense the Pens wouldn't let it happen again.

Catch the highlights and the trophy ceremony here:

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII D-1 HOCKEY TEAM??

No joke, I was just informed by my trustworthy boyfriend that there's buzz all over the US College Hockey Forum about President Obama using bail-out money to form a D-1 Ice Hockey team at the University of Hawaii.

Quoting Flashy Man from Houghton, MI on 5/19/2009:

"An undisclosed White House aide has informed me that President Barack Obama will be pushing new legislation beginning next week to fund a new Men's Division 1 at the University of Hawaii using federal bailout funding. Obama chose to pursue a team in Hawaii to pay his gratitude to his birthplace. The Rainbow Warriors will start play at the Ice Palace Hawaii, the only rink in the state, in 2011."

Here are some of my favorite responses:

• "It'll never happen" -Federal League
• "Pigs will have wings before Hawaii has a D-1 team." -bigeasy29
• "Are you sure it's still 'Rainbow' Warriors?" -owslachief
• "This would be sooooo cool, players could go to Hawaii & get leid!" (As if this doesn't happen enough already) -Greyeagle

Here's what I have to say:

1. I used to take figure skating lessons at Ice Palace, the only public ice skating rink on the island, and I don't see how it would make a decent hockey arena with its tiny seating area and blacklights.
2. If this is true 2011 would be the BEST YEAR EVER.
3. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could still be a Hockey Mom in Hawaii.
4. PRESIDENT OBAMA YOU ARE AWESOME

Is today April 1st or something? Maybe someone thought it would be funny to play a sick joke on Zeny and tell her that her favorite sport maybe coming to her home... whatever the reason, I like the sound of this bailout.

Coach Parker Thanks the Fans

In last Thursday's (April 23, 2009) Daily Free Press, Coach Jack Parker thanked Terrier fans for their undying support in a full-page ad. He also restates that this year's team was the best hockey team he's every coached! It's official and in paper.

It's nice of Parker to recognize the fans and build excitement for next season. Even though I don't know my post-graduate plans, I already got my tickets for Red Hot Hockey at Madison Square Garden this Thanksgiving. SO EXCITED.

I figured not too many people read the Freep (Daily Free Press) anymore, so in case you missed Parker's love letter to all the fans, click on the image above to enlarge.

Boston Hockey Warm-Up Playlist

Click images to enlarge and read playlist

I had to design a CD package for class, and I did one for the BU Hockey Warm Up Playlist. I really just wanted a reason to get the warm up playlist from Agganis Arena and find out what that TECHNO SONG I've heard since freshman year is (it's "The Funeral" by Plasmic Honey). Thanks again to Agganis' marketing manager Jessica Connor who was really quick and helpful in getting me the playlist.

So, for all you BU Hockey fans and seniors who show up an hour early to home games to watch the team warm up, here are the songs we've grown accustomed to this past AWESOME season.

Today is CHRISTMAS, Signed Hockey Jersey!

Last Christmas, my second cousin who went to BU for grad school gave me an autographed jersey by the '98-'99 team. I WAS SO EXCITED, until I checked their record: 14-20-3. Not such a hot season, and it turns out he was sent the autographed jersey as an alumni gift; however, Mike Eruzione (1980 Olympic Ice Hockey Champs) signed this jersey in the top left right under the 'BO'.
BUT TODAY FELT LIKE REAL CHRISTMAS, because the best team in Terrier History autographed the jersey I have worn to every game in the past four years. We got Hobey Baker winner #97 Matt Gilroy (also signed with the NY Rangers for $3.5 mil/2 years), Colin Wilson who signed with Nashville Predators and is playing on the US National team... I can't believe how cool this is.
The autograph signing was from 5-6 pm at the Student Union, and the lines were already long at 4:20. The players must be exhausted from all the media and press, but it's nice for them to do this for the fans and especially little kids that look up to them.

Photo Below: Matt Gilroy next to his Hobey Baker award.
Thanks again to BU and the Hockey program for letting all the fans enjoy this National Victory!

Terrier Day in Boston!

In celebration of BU's NCAA Hockey Title, BU held a parade with duck boats down Commonwealth Avenue and had free ice cream and cake.  Mayor Menino also gave a speech and proclaimed it Terrier Day in Boston.

Here are some photos from Marsh Plaza: 

Matt Gilroy gave a short speech wishing Eric Gryba a happy birthday and inviting everyone to party at T's Pub (973 Comm Ave):

Thanks BU for the parade, ice cream and cake!

Market that National Championship

As a Boston University communications student, I have to say I am very proud (and even impressed) by BU's recent efforts to promote it's NCAA Men's Ice Hockey National Title. Playing off the momentum of the win, in the short span of a day, the athletics page changed into a championship microsite, the dean of students produced a short clip to announce that there will be a parade and online newspaper BU TODAY is filling up my school email with events and news about the hockey win.

GoTerriers.com homepage:

You can watch highlights, see photos, buy championship gear, recap the season and most of all congratulate the Terriers!!

You need to watch the below film, it's a parody off the Matrix.  Dean Elmore invites you to the Terrier Day Parade:

Last but not least, my good friend Jason Kahn created a site called GoScarlet.com promoting students to use their print quota for celebratory posters!  Who needs to print out academic material when you have posters like, "Gryba SMASHed":

 

Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially proclaims this Tuesday, 4/14, as Terrier Day in the city of Boston.  EVERYONE SHOULD CELEBRATE!

Destination D.C. - The Drama that is BU Hockey

The three most significant milestones in life are:

1. Your Wedding Day
2. Birth of your first child
3. The day that your favorite sports team wins a National Title!!

Saturday night, BU played in the national championship game in D.C. against Miami University (Ohio) and tied up the game in the last minutes of the the third period after being down two goals... all I have to say is that when BU scored that second goal to make it BU 2-3... I was sooooo scared to watch the 59 seconds left on the clock tick away.

BUT being BU, they always find a way to come back and get the win, even if it means giving the fans an aneurism.  Nick Bonino's tying goal in the last minute of the game blew up the student section (you would have thought we won the game or something).  All of us were in disbelief, at this point, BU wasn't going to let a Miami overtime goal happen and we knew it. Bodies were everywhere.  People just jumped on each other and hugged strangers and the screaming didn't stop. 

IT WAS AMAZING... then Colby Cohen scored an OT goal, sudden death of Miami, and BU ARE THE NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!!! THIS IS THE MOMENT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY FOUR YEARS AT BU, and it happened at my very last game.  The world is good again.

BU fans in D.C. cheered down L street, directed traffic and announced to the city that BU was National Champs... if D.C. wasn't a hockey city before, it is now.  It's been an amazing four years being a part of BU hockey and I couldn't be happier with this finish.

Champions DO play here

FROZEN FOUR - Destination D.C.

BIGGEST GAME OF MY LIFE.

BU v. Ohio State - NCAA Hockey Northeast Regional

So I purchased $82 tickets for this weekend's NCAA Northeast Regional in New Hampshire, and I don't regret it.  BU beat Ohio State 8-3 last night to move on to play UNH today for a spot in this year's Frozen Four, while EVERY OTHER NUMBER ONE SEED--Michigan, Denver and Notre Dame--lost in the first round (a weekend of upsets).

Our first goal came with 11:11 (my favorite number) left in the period:

The Dog Pound, BU's student section, has been known to be rowdy, enthusiastic and very outspoken and we're proud of that; however, there are a few people who really give The Dog Pound a bad rap, by bad-mouthing and disrespecting opposing fans and EVEN our own fans.

It's a shame that a few have to ruin the experience for us all...

But I'm not going to let some tool bags get in the way of tonight's game.  Catch all the action on ESPN U at 5:30 pm.    

*Update: I forgot to mention how annoying the McDonalds stickers lined along the plexiglass near the goalie is.  What does fast food have to do with hockey?