After a windy couple of nights knocked out our internet, I'm back on line. I was in charge for the of days around the house and finding free time has been tough. I know what my wife has done the last 15 or so years and she enjoys the little breaks from time to time. I'm glad I can give her those these days, with our schedule arranged a little different than in past years. she was able to go to join the rest of her family for her father's 70th celebration...
Yesterday, I was part of career day at my daughter's class. As I walked in, her face turned about as pink as the warmup suit she had on! After a brief summary of what I do and some backround, it was question and answer time. Not alot of tough questions but it was interesting to hear what they had to ask. I take for granted that some people really don't know about our game. The equipment, the rules, the players in the NHL, the cities. Having hockey as my life for as long as I have, it becomes second nature. I always enjoy talking about it. At the end, each student received a mini stick from the Pirates and Mrs. Jagolinzer got the signed stick from the team for her room...
After some tense moments, the Black Bears were granted a birth in the NCAA tournament. They face St. Cloud St of Minnesota. Two of our guys, Joe Motzko and Mark Hartigan, attended there, and of course we have a wager on the game. Lunch of the winners choice...
Speaking of NCAA, who could forget basketball. The customary pool was filled by each player. After the latest games, Mark Hartigan and yours truly lead the scores, and I have the most teams left. Could it be my coaching backround that helped in the selection?...
Finally, Bruce Crowder played for the Bruins and the Mariners, two teams I grew up watching. Then, I played for Bruce at Maine when he took an assistant job after retiring. After all these years, it has been a pleasure working along side him as a coach and a player this year. He would never let you know and for that matter, you may never guess that his 50th birthday is right around the corner. Both his wife, Lucy, and he have found the fountain of youth somewhere. I just wish he could have told me where it was before I started playing again. So, to my old friend, Happy 50th, Bruce. I think the best present we could give him Sunday is an eight point weekend, besides the Harley he wants... Weino

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