>Dos and Don’ts
>Roster pix are up!!
It’s like getting the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is for men. Kind of. Not really.
I’m sorry, but UMD’s site doesn’t let me link to the pix, which is very unfortunate.
DO: look much more grown up than last year. (Brady Hjelle)
DON’T: get rid of your awesome facial hair! (Brady Lamb)
DO: wear stylin’ pinstripes. (a lot of guys)
DON’T: have a crooked tie/shirt collar. (Jordan Fulton and Brady Hjelle)
DO: wear a pink tie and a big smile! (David Grun)
DON’T: wear exactly the same thing as Rob Bordson. (Jake Hendrickson)
DO: get a haircut so that I can’t graft your hair onto anyone else’s head. (Mike Connolly)
DON’T: refuse to cut your hair even when the team has awesome mohawks. (Mike Montgomery)
DO: make your hair at least slightly less peroxide-brassy. (Rob Bordson)
DON’T: have frosted tips. You are not Ryan Seacrest. (Justin Fontaine)
DO: use an appropriate amount of hair gel. (Drew Olson)
DON’T: let your mom cut your bangs over the kitchen sink!!! (Jack Connolly)
DO: get a nice hunky summer tan. (Chad Huttel and Scott Kishel)
DON’T: use tanning oil to slick your hair straight back. (Dylan Olsen)
DO: smile and show your cutie dimples. (Kyle Schmidt)
DON’T: look so sad! (Dan Delisle)
DO: be a majorly hot hottie. (Mike Seidel)
>Fantasy
>
MEg has roped me into sharing her team this year (because I am largely responsible for two of her best pics last year: Stalock and Fonzie; and also because she has to miss the draft. I’m being used), and I’m doing a LOT of research. And because I am such a kind and loving person, I’m going to give my fellow “owners” some of my, um, best tips. Come now, let’s all bask in the glow of my vast knowledge of college hockey.
Starting goalie: Bryce Christianson, UAA
With UAA blogger Donald predicting a top-5 finish for the Seawolves this year, a great pick for those middle-of-the-round drafters would be UAA’s probable starting goalie. Donald’s predictions are usually pretty accurate, with a margin of error of only 4 or 5 places.
Freshman superstar: Ben Hanowski, SCSU
Minnesota high school stud Ben Hanowski is lacing up for the Bad Huskies this year. His Little Falls coach had pretty much one play in his playbook: give the puck to Ben. Why would Bob Motzko deviate from something that worked so well? I’m sure Ben would be happy to play 55 minutes a night.
Defensive hotshot: Ricky Doriott, MTU
Look for a break-out season from Michigan Tech’s own Ricky Dorito. Er, Doriott. He’s a fast skater, well-conditioned, and is one of the brilliant minds on the forefront of experimental physics.
Offensive breakout: Mike Dorr, UMD traitor UMTC benchwarmer MSUM student-nonathlete
Oops. Save that pick til next year…
Hope that helps you make your picks, Weldie!
>What’s Wrong With This Picture?
>
So here’s my distraction.
THE BANANA SUIT IS HERE, PEOPLE!!!!! But you don’t get to see the whole thing until the game!
>Vintage Clothing
>
I’m not supposed to reveal the source of this shirt, because this person is ashamed to admit his true allegiance, but this is pretty nifty. I mean, really, you didn’t think I came up with “Runnin’ with the dogs” on my own?
>That Other Draft
>
Let’s get started!
Me: First, RWD would like to thank the Internet for hosting this draft, you’ve been great hosts and I’ve felt so welcome. In the first round of the 2009-2010 My Guy draft, RWD would like to select… JACK CONNOLLY.
Applause, applause, hand him a jersey, take photo with like ten old dudes in suits.
Bruce Ciskie: All right, folks, we’re sitting here with the man of the hour, #1 overall pick Jack Connolly. Jack finished second last year in the My Guy competition, so it’s natural RWD would start out with someone she knew could jump in and be a playmaker right away. Jack, how do you feel right now?
JCON: This chick is crazy. I mean, seriously. I fear for my life.
Bruce Ciskie: I don’t doubt it. Good luck with that. Let’s go on to the next round.
Me: RWD would like to congratulate Jack Parker and Boston University on their national championship. In the second round of the 2009-2010 My Guy draft, RWD would like to select… BRADY LAMB.
Applause, applause, hand him a jersey, take photo with like an old person, a random UMD alumnus, and six random children. Ciskie is too busy writing about college football on Twitter to interview a second-rounder.
Me: In the third round of the 2009-2010 My Guy draft… dans la troisième étape du 2009-2010 Mon Homme repechage… RWD would like to select… RWD voudrait choisir… MIKE SEIDEL.
Hey, it’s the third round. By now, everyone’s gone home. Jersey’s in the mail.
Aaand…. scene!
>Wigstock
>
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a lovely Photoshop post for you folks. I stumbled across
this blog which fancies itself THE college hockey blog (or so its name says), and its proprietor called my Oregon Trail banner the “greatest banner to a blog you’ll ever see.” This brings the number of reactions to said banner containing the appropriate amount of reverence and awe to one.It’s also been a long time since I embarrassed My Sweet Jacky on the internets. I know it’s not nice but I’m remorseless in general, so please accept my shallow apology.
I am, of course, desperate to keep the original content flowing in order to make it until the exhibition game without skipping a day of posting, so I’ve been trying to make associations to blog posts anywhere I can. I am reminded of the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie has writer’s block and asks if the other girls remember this guy she dated, Randall the Sandal Guy, and says “Is that anything??”
So this vowel-rationing gentleman named “blldgsrule” joined the Penalty Box recently, and I noticed his signature line says “if I hear one more person behind me say “jacks 22 right?” im going to turn around and say “yea nevermind the long curly blonde hair, he dyed his hair and got a perm.”
PEOPLE, AN ACTUAL LIGHTBULB APPEARED ABOVE MY HEAD.
Admit it. You’ve wondered. You’ve also wondered what would happen if you took a flatiron to Goldilocks.
Creeped out? Oh well. On the plus side, I knocked over the sun sphere.
>Oops! I Did It Again
>
In 2005, I forgot the first anniversary (btw, ANNIVERSARIES by definition happen on a yearly basis. Never on a monthly basis. Just a PSA for my sickeningly sweet friends out there.) because apparently I was too mad about Steve Czech being elected captain.
In 2006, I forgot about the second anniversary because I was too busy hating Anthony LaPanta. A noble pursuit. I hate that Robby Inchwormakoski person, too. Then 4 days later I was really excited that 10,000 people had read RWD, and then I had to edit that post to finally recognize I’d been doing it for 2 years. It was fun, we sang Harry Chapin. Good times.
In 2007, I forgot about the third anniversary (does this feel like The Twelve Days of Christmas to you?) because I was suffering from crippling road rage. I finally acknowledged it 8 days later, but I was really too stressed about losing Mike Curry to care.
In 2008, I didn’t even acknowledge the fourth anniversary. Probably in anger management counseling. Never was there a greater waste of money.
I love love love love love love love writing RWD. Thank you so much for reading.
>Switching Lanes
>
When we talk about football, we have to be all Southern, doncha know?
Anyway, here’s what we have to talk about. Tonight’s football game. Which was on TV! Glorious!
Kind of.
Come on, guys. Only one UMD sport is supposed to enrage me. You football boys are just supposed to win games. I didn’t know you even know how to lose! Ok, I know that we had a true freshman at quarterback and we really have no passing game (except for the one exciting big one that I thought for sure was going to, like, the piccolo player), but even the referee couldn’t get the team’s name right (“Time out, Cal Washington!”) and they were sightseeing at Mount Rushmore two days ago! Speaking of Mount Rushmore, did you know it hides a lost city made entirely out of gold? I learned that yesterday from Nicolas Cage. Anyway, a bunch of pansies who were out romancing bison mere days ago should have been no match for Isaac Odim!
I was happy to see UMD football on my TV, though, and they certainly tried hard and weathered many many many attempts (some successful) by Central Washington to injure our players (including #9 who learned his blocking moves from the Vikings’ #4). And the announcers totally called us “Minnesota” a few times… take that you stinkin’ Gophers!
Edit: Overheard by Mullet at the football game: “Is Central Washington in Minnesota?” Jolly good.
>Things To Do In Duluth When You’re Dead
>
The Star Tribune had an article about
can’t-miss activities in Duluth. It’s uber-schmaltzy, which is somewhat off-putting, but it hits all the basic stops: Enger Tower, Lakewalk, Zoo, other people’s houses… Whatever.I go to Duluth a LOT, as we know, but mostly in the winter, of course, and the main attraction is hockey, but I also go to Duluth by MYSELF a lot and have to find things to do. So, they may not be the most popular places to go, or the top secret places only the locals know about, but I have my routines. Here’s what I MUST hit in Duluth/the Northland this fall/winter.
1. Sammy’s Pizza
I’ve already been to Sammy’s (the one on First, OF COURSE) once this summer, with my family (some were more enthusiastic about it than others…), but I love love love love love eating greasy pizza. Especially with extra cheese. I love to eat the tiny triangles, too.
2. Gooseberry Falls
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous in the late fall. Especially when hung over. It’s a great way to take a big chunk out of a day, too, because it’s a bit of a drive, and there are quite a few places to hike.
3. U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
I don’t go there every time, but I did tell MEg that we had to go up there this fall. It’s a perfect way to get pumped up for a hockey game and to learn about hockey history.
4. The Lakeview Castle
I go to the Castle on virtually every visit, often more than once, partially because I general stay with two people who work there and partially because the food is REALLY tasty and not insanely expensive. It also has a great view of Lake Superior and is on the way to Gooseberry, too.
5. Skyline Drive
I generally like to drive at least part of it, either on the way out of town or on the way back from somewhere like a mini-mite tournament in Proctor. I really need to take someone with me so I can take pictures in my car without fear of driving off the road.
6. The Bulldog Shop
Because I can’t have enough UMD gear!!
7. The Firelight Inn
I stay here once a year. It’s a great bed and breakfast on the east side of Duluth, and even though staying there makes me a sexegenarian (according to FireHelmetGuy), I like having breakfast in bed and a jacuzzi in my room.
8. Duluth Pack
So I can pretend I’m outdoorsy. Also, it’s a good place for me to get Christmas presents for my family. We’ve had Duluth packs since before they became trendy.
I’m always looking for other suggestions (specifically outdoorsy stuff) to keep me occupied, because I get antsy on Saturdays while waiting for the game to start!
>Sharp News
>
RWD reader and fellow MacG S fan Vizoroo sent me
this link this morning. The article is from April, but it’s still relevant. Some Anaheim fan (I’m having trouble forgiving him/her for being an Anaheim fan, but s/he is a MacG S fan, which supercedes all) really likes MacG. And what’s not to adore and worship about him, anyway? He is talented, hard-working, handsome, and so very very very clutch. Which is not the proper usage of the word, but whatevs.Let’s see the highlight reel from the article:
In many ways, the story of MacGregor Sharp is the story of Mason Raymond. The Alberta natives played together for four years, two years on the same junior hockey team and two years at Minnesota-Duluth. At both programs, the same pattern played out: Sharp and Raymond would post similar numbers in their first year together, only to have Raymond pull away as the superstar in the second year. Though identical in size and age, their styles were different: Mason, the speedster with great hands and MacGregor, the relentless grinding puckhound.
I’m so glad we had MacG for 4 years. Sorry Mase, but I’m sure you’re not surprised. Nor do I think you care. (Though I’m sure MacGregor Sharp doesn’t care either, but that’s not the point. I care enough for both of us!)
Sharp followed up a shot on Gophers goaltender Alex Kangas, potting the rebound and knocking the flu-ridden Kangas out of the game. MacGregor opened scoring again the next night when he chased down a misplay by Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness, depositing the shorthanded puck in the net before the tender could return to his crease. Then, in the championship game, Sharp made a sweet pass on a 2-on-2 break on the power play, only to slide the return feed under Pioneers backstop Marc Cheverie. It was the first of Sharp’s three goals that night, and the Bulldogs became the first Play-In winner to ever take the WCHA championship.
How did he pick from so many different choices? I can not WAIT until the UMD Hockey Facebook Fan Page comes out with the 3rd installment of its highlight series.
His performance in both the WCHA and NCAA tournaments shows he’s developed poise. He has great two-way hockey sense: a grinding backcheck, but equally skilled at sniffing out rebounds and anticipating bad plays. He can create relentless first man pressure, but he’s also played a lot of time as the second forechecker. He plays a solid penalty kill, but his impressive passing and his ability to dangle on the halfboards made him an indispensible center on the best power play in the WCHA. If I had to pinpoint the part of his game that caught McNab’s attention, I’d say it was his play in the NHL sized rink. The Final Five was played at Xcel Energy in St. Paul, and the smaller but longer zones seemed to benefit Sharp on both sides of the puck.
He forgot to mention: he’s dreamy. Anaheim better not try to make him mean and cheap. I mean, seriously, you’ve got enough cheap goons. Mitts off my Sharpie.
Huh. I copied like, 3/4 of the article. Oh well, there’s still other a few other things on there.
Speaking of dreamy, WCH listed Mike Seidel as the 24th best prospect in the west. MacGregor Sharp is mentioned. But sorry, Chris. No one will replace MacGregor to me. Just like no one will replace Mike Curry or Evan Schwabe.
Runnin' With the Dogs 