Do It With A Smile

There are people who are good at what they do.
And then, there are people who are good at what they do and do it with a smile.

Watching Team USA Ice Hockey player T.J. Oshie kill it in the USA vs. Russia shootout was nerve-wracking and exhilarating all at once. His slow shootout style was different but that wasn't the only thing that was unique about the 27 year-old Oshie; before each of his six shootout shots, knowing that each shot was potentially a game winner or loss, he would flash a smile. Watching the game on my home TV, Oshie's smile made all the difference. In comparison to the serious-faced Russian legends Kovalchuk and Datsyuk (I don't blame them with Putin in the audience), Oshie just seemed damn excited to be on the ice and given the chance to shoot. If he was nervous, he channeled that nervous energy through his stick and released it with every shot that made it to the net.

Oshie's epic game-winning shot, poise and humility makes me think that society needs to recognize people who perform at the highest level with a smile on their face. In all fields of work, it is not just about talent anymore, it is also about attitude.

Will the NY Islanders Move to Brooklyn Hipster-fy Hockey?

For years, I've been telling everyone how hockey will become a widely popular sport and receive the attention it deserves on network television and in the media, mainly because I wanted more friends to watch games with me (...). Although football and basketball fans still outnumber hockey by a stretch, a recent article states that the NHL is selling out more arenas than the NBA this season. Yes those numbers might be skewed by the NBA's performance, but there are other signs that hockey might be growing in popularity; for one, I've been seeing occasional San Jose Sharks photos in my Facebook and Instagram feeds from unsuspecting west coast hockey fans, and two, Apple decided to include the LA Kings in their newest iPad Air commercial.

Apple approves of ice hockey.

But the true tipping point of my hockey popularity theory will be its adoption by hipsters. In 2011, I sensed the hipster hockey trend as the NHL and Versus' (now owned by NBC) aggressively marketed to hipsters in Williamsburg. Now, with the impending 2015 move of the New York Islanders to Barclays Center in Brooklyn--the hipster-fying of hockey is inevitable. Who wants to bet Pharrell will be sporting a throwback hockey jersey at the 2016 Grammys?

Will Hipsters ruin hockey?
The thought crossed my mind this Monday when I attended an Islanders/Bruins game at the current Nassau Coliseum venue out in Long Island. Stepping inside the Islanders arena was like stepping back into time, as if the arena hasn't changed since the 80s. Of all the NHL hockey games I've attended, this was the first time that prior to the game there was a moment of silence for an original season ticket holder who recently passed away. That and the rowdy Islanders fan section felt pleasantly intimate.

Sean and I are smiling because the Bruins won 6-3

Will the history, family-like atmosphere and camaraderie disappear at Barclays? I hope not. The move has received mixed feelings by Islanders fans, but my hope is the move will inject energy into the franchise while still preserving all its quirks and traditions (like those Ice Girls!).  In many ways, hipsters and hockey is a destined combination--eclectic warmup music from techno to country, beards and swearing. I have high hopes that Brooklyn, NY Islanders fans and hipsters can make it work.

This is the Most Unique Frozen Four Ever

I haven't blogged about ice hockey in a very long time, a year to be exact, because it's tough to find BU hockey games on TV in New York and this shortened NHL season hasn't made it easy for me to catch a Bruins/Rangers game at the garden. Nevertheless, this has been a super eventful hockey season as BU's Coach Jack Parker announced his retirement after 40 years with the Terriers and in true BU fashion, the final games were an emotional roller coaster, beating archrival Boston College 6-3 to make it to the Hockey East Conference Final!

Unfortunately BU's season ended to UMass Lowell (whaat, wouldn't have thought this would happen 5 years ago) in the Hockey East Final and Parker's career would not see another NCAA tourney. But if anything, this college hockey season has been a story of the unexpected. All four schools in the Frozen Four--Quinnipiac, St. Cloud St, UMass Lowell and Yale--have never won a National Championship. Yale is the only school that has made it to the Frozen Four. Once. SIX DECADES AGO in 1952.*

It's going to be a historic championship no matter which team wins, and I'm just super excited it won't be BC. I'll be cheering for Lowell all the way, go Hockey East!

*Source: Wikipedia

The Bruins Bear is Literally The Coolest Hockey Mascot Ever

Also check out the Bruins Bear on Pinterest (The World's Most Pinteresting Bear)

Boston Bruins Parade, BEST DAY EVER [PHOTOS]

It's 5:00 am and I'm still buzzing from the energy I gained earlier today at the Bruins Parade in Boston. The parade started at the Garden and ended at Copley Square where I patiently waited since 9:30 am for Captain Zdeno Chara and MVP Tim Thomas to arrive a little past noon with the Stanley Cup! I was joined by a million other Bruins and Boston fans, all decked out in Black & Yellow. This day along with Terrier Day (parade for the 2009 BU Hockey Champs) lives on as some the best celebrations in my life. Yay, Boston is back to being a hockeytown!

Boston Bruins are Stanley Cup Champs (& I Can Finally Get The Hat I Wanted)!

Just when I thought I couldn't get back into hockey again, I witness my favorite NHL team the Boston Bruins win a Stanley Cup Championship in Game 7. My Boston friends always told me to not get attached to the Bruins because they will only break my heart, and they sure did year after year, losing 3-goal or 3-game leads. Painful as it was, there is no other arena than the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston that I feel at home in--the mustard yellow seats, fully loaded nachos and organ renditions of top 40 hits. Bruins are my team and the only professional team I have seen live; however, I have never seen them win in person. Nevertheless, I couldn't be happier that after 39 years the Lord Stanley's Cup is back in Beantown.

A year ago, I had the opportunity to touch and kiss the Stanley Cup while dreaming about the Bruins winning, and now a year later my dream has come true!! I'm planning to go to Boston for the parade and am pretty pumped to finally buy the Bruins hat I've been wanting for a while. I'm glad I waited because now there's a real hardcore version out with "2011" on the back and huge ass letters saying "Stanley Cup Champions" on the front, just the way I like it:

Will History Be Made or Will Amazing Happen? The Battle of Playoff Commericals

The "History will be made" campaign, a collaborative effort between NHL, NBC Sports, Versus and ad agency Y&R, perfectly captures the intensity and excitement of the playoffs. The 2011 NHL playoffs began with a bang--reigniting my love for the sport--as four out of the eight round one match ups were decided in Game 7 and three highly anticipated teams (Canucks, Bruins & Sharks) won their series in sudden death OT. Through a powerful montage, the TV spots relive pivotal playoff moments, capturing images and sounds of victory beautifully in sync with heart-tugging instrumental music. Every day until the Stanley Cup final, NHL will be releasing a new version of the "History will be made" commercials featuring a hockey highlight from the night before, demonstrating NHL's marketing sophistication in creating real-time content. My favorite has to be Nathan Horton's double OT goal against the Canadiens in Game 7 that advanced the Bruins to the second round:

There are obvious similarities between NHL's "History will be made" campaign and the NBA playoffs "Where amazing happens" campaign created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, like the layer of crowd noise, reliving old sports moments and fading to black. You can see the similarities in the spot above and the one below: 

However, the sentiment of "History" is different than "Amazing." Amazing speaks to a surprise, a moment that is temporary and quick, while History is forever. History has the ability to uplift Detroit, the Hockey Town of America, in one of its worst recessions. History has the ability to bring pride back to the Blackhawks in Chicago after almost a half century of not winning the Stanley Cup. There is only one trophy passed down from champion to champion, and the NHL successfully reminds its fans of the unique legacy that is winning the Lord Stanley's Cup.

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!

As Close To The Stanley Cup I'll Ever Get

The NHL Playoffs begin today!  The NHL Network brought the Stanley Cup to the MediaVest office today, and forgive my language, I almost dropped panties (I wouldn't of course).  I am more excited than ever for the playoffs because 1) I actually care since I am no longer in college 2) There's fighting in professional hockey 3) It's a longer season; but, will I ever be as loyal to any professional team as I am to the Boston University Terriers?  Probably not. 
 
Every night, I watch Stanley Cup Playoff commericals that replay hockey legends hoisting the cup over their heads, kissing it gently like it is the greatest achievement in their life, and Me--I do paid search--I get to touch this prized possession! This is as close as I'll ever get to the cup.  I may never play hockey, but I appreciate what the Stanley Cup playoffs stand for--it stands for close calls, smart plays, great opportunity--and the team that wins will see every championship team before them engraved into the cup, with the most recent Pittsburgh Penguins, and know that they are among the best.

I feel very lucky because this isn't the first time my work has led me to a trophy.  When I interned at the Greater Boston Visitors & Convention Bureau, I got to see the 2007 World Series Trophy, which also made me almost drop panties.  I'm very grateful to be able to share what some people work their whole lives for--it's inspiring, it really is.  God, I love hockey.

Olympic Hockey Predictions - Another US Canada Matchup?

I took a minute to fill out the bracket.  If you're wondering, my decisions were based on very little rationale, except that I predict USA winning gold and Canada pulling through in tonight's game against Russia (as much as I love you Ovechkin, Canada's blow out game last night against Germany is a sign).  The Czechs and Swedes are also really good (and this is based on how many NHL players I know), so I see them moving on to the semi-finals as well.  BIG GAMES TODAY! GO USA!

USA vs. Canada, Miracle Part 2?

Will the US Men's Ice Hockey team beat Canada this Sunday and relive the same underdog victory that the US did over the Soviet Union in 1980?  Will this be another 'Miracle on Ice'?  Most predict not because Canada the home-team just won't let it happen.

Today at 7:40 pm starts the one game that will set the tone for Canada in the remaining week of the Winter Olympics.  As the host country, Canada is probably not too happy being fifth in the medal count with eight medals, but there is only one thing that matters to them--HOCKEY, and that Gold medal is one Canada cannot lose.  That doesn't mean I am cheering for Crosby and the Canada kids, because USA with a winning record so far, allowing only one goal from Switzerland and Norway, has just as much of a reason to win Gold.  It may not be the Cold War but its a frickin recession and we Americans need a reason to BELIEVE!  Unemployment is at an all-time low, young Americans are losing faith in the college system, dumb celebrities are taking over our televisions and Tiger cheated on his wife... WE NEED A MIRACLE!

I have been looking forward to this game for the past week and I want it to be close, good fight.  I'm starting the morning off with a recap of the US's last two games (DVR'ed it), then watching Disney's Miracle and throwing on my BU jersey signed by 2009 National Champs (if anybody knows a miracle, it's this team).  AHHHH, I'm so ready for this and you should be ready too.  Watch the 1980 Miracle: 

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!

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: