Tag: hockey

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Getting Personal

Giving Thanks

Let me be blunt – I am not a fan of the “post something your thankful for everyday on Facebook” nonsense. I’m happy that you have a great family, friends, boyfriend, dog, etc. I do, too. But the things I’m most thankful for might not fall into your standard buckets.

I’m thankful for the teen moms who existed before the MTV show, like my birth mom, who may have had unprotected sex, but was smart enough to realize she could not handle a child and gave me up for adoption, allowing me to grow up in an amazing family with plenty of opportunity.

I’m thankful for AT&T, although they may not have the greatest cell reception or customer service, because they have given my father a job for the past 35 years, allowing him to support my mother and I.

I’m thankful for hockey. Yes, hockey. Hockey has given me something to be passionate about, it brought me and my boyfriend together (no joke, we met at a hockey tournament), and gives me something to connect with friends and family about.

I’m thankful for the Humane Society, Animal Protection Association and all other pet rescue companies. My rescue pup brings an insane amount of joy to my life, and these folks get to give people that same joy day after day.

I’m thankful for the Great Pumpkin (my Eclipse). Without it, I would be unable to go to the job I love every day, visit friends and family, and have some much needed me time with nothing but the radio.

I’m thankful for Martha Foote Crow. If this lovely lady did not decide to start Alpha Phi at Syracuse in 1872, I would not have had the opportunity to grow, lead, and meet some of the most amazing women on earth.

I’m thankful for communications. Communication is such an integral part of my life – my degree (Strategic Communications), my passion (writing), my relationships – that without it, I would not be the same individual I am today.

And yes, I’m thankful for my supportive family, my loving boyfriend, my fantastic friends, and my darling dachshund. But you already knew that. 

Categories
sports

Breaking My Silence

I’ve been reasonably quiet concerning the impending NHL lockout, but I can’t hold my silence anymore.

I call bullshit.

Bullshit to Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr for not spending June 12 – Sept. 16 working on a new contract. Bullshit on players and owners for not believing that $3.2 billion dollars split wasn’t enough for either side. Bullshit on Gary Bettman, who makes more then Marian Hossa, Henrik Zetterberg, Rick Nash and Sidney Crosby. Actually, only 15 players out of the nearly 1000 under the NHLPA make more than Bettman, at $7.98 million in 2011-2012. Bullshit to the thousands of fans who spend their hard working money on season tickets, suites and nosebleed seats to bring their dad, son, daughter or friend with the hopes of seeing something amazing. Bullshit to the bars, restaurants, parking garages and scalpers trying to get by. Bullshit to the ticket reps, mascots and concessions workers with resumes on Craigslist. Bullshit to every former player, executive, owner and coach who has their name forever engraved on Lord Stanley.

And mostly bullshit to me, for still believing in a league that has done so little to keep me in mind.

Categories
sports

A Playoff Prayer

our father, who art in saint louis, hockey be thy name. thy will be done, lord stanley will be won, on ice as in the stands. give us this day, our hockey sticks, and forgive our penalties as we forgive those who cross check against us. lead us not into elimination, but lead us to victory. amen.

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Categories
Parks Picks sports

Top 5: Things the NHL can Learn from College Hockey

While many sports fans tuned into the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight college basketball games this weekend, I tuned my attention to the quarter finals of the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four tournament. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s college hockey’s championship tournament. I’ve been a casual college hockey fan since 2007 when I witnessed the Frozen Four finals at Scottrade Center. Michigan State took home their first championship against Boston College, and I instantly wanted to apply to North Dakota and become a part of their ice skating hockey cheerleading squad. In more recent years, I’ve seen the semifinal rounds in St. Louis, and followed Western Michigan a bit, but I can’t help but want to bring some of that college spirit into the NHL.

1. No Touch Icing: This is a pretty standard topic of discussion at NHLPA meets, but removing the touch rule on icings is flat out safer. After seeing what concussions can do to a player, it’d be a huge improvement.

2. Bring a Band: I cannot explain how awesome it is to hear a college band inside of a hockey rink. The first time you do, Charles Glenn will never be able to fulfill your musical rink needs again. Whether its the fight song after a goal or “Hey Baby” during a timeout, it adds an entire new level to the game.

3. Keep It Quiet: This goes against every marketing bone in me, but there’s something sacred about NCAA hockey. There are only 58 division one teams, with 16 making the tournament. Sure, you’ll catch an occasional game on CBS Sports or NBC Sports Network on a Friday night, but it hasn’t reached the madness of it’s basketball counterpart. It’s still exciting without everyone and there brother being involved.

4. Alternatively, Get With ESPN: Look, I like what NBS Sports Network is doing for the league. Every single Caps/Pens match up on Sunday afternoon is well received, but the NHL can never sit at the popular table without an endorsement from the leader.

5. Put the Ice Girls on Ice: Seriously, maybe it’s because I was a cheerleader, but girls in crop tops shaking their arms is not team spirit. Get these girls some skates and a choreographed intermission and I’ll be impressed.

Categories
Uncategorized

What We Learned – Super Bowl Style

The Super Bowl has come and gone with a close win by the Giants, minor middle finger mishap during half time, and enough new commercials to fill a weeks worth of American Idol. While it wasn’t the best year for the #BrandBowl, there were some lessons to be learned.

1. Dogs can sell anything. This seasons top ads had one thing in common – no, not an exceptional strategy – they all used dogs. From Volkswagon’s preview ad “The Bark Side” to the beloved Bud Light rescue dog Weego, this seasons ads created a real dog-eat-dog world. Below are some of my favorite publicized pooches.

Bud Light: WeeGo the Rescue Dog

Sketchers: GO RUN Mr. Quiggly! 

Volkswagon: The Dog Strikes Back

2. Betty White’s Still Got It: OK – this can be up for debate with some, but I still love Betty White, and her appearance in NBC’s “The Voice” spot was priceless.

NBC’s The Voice: Vocal Kombat

3. #Hashtags #Sell: #MakeItPlantinum and #SoLongVampires started off the first quarter. Tying in the Twitter hashtags boosted online traffic for the brands who used it. My favorite? #MarryBacon

Jack In The Box: Marry It

4. You Mess With American, Clint Eastwood Messes With You: Step aside Chuck Norris. Chrysler’s “Imported From Detroit” campaign took another one of America’s icons, Clint Eastwood, to show that halftime doesn’t mean the game is over. America, eff yeah.

Chrysler: It’s Halftime America

5. We Love Beer. This is something we all knew, but Budweiser’s “Eternal Optimism” proved it.

Budweiser: Eternal Optimism

6. At a loss for strategy? Throw in everything you possibly can. Kia included Adriana Lima, Motley Crue and Chuck Liddel. Samsung used The Darkness, Miranda Kerr and a stylus (seriously, a Stylus?) Did it work? Personally, I’ll take my iPhone any day.

Kia: A Dream Car. For Real Life.

Samsung: Galaxy Note

7. Twinkies will Survive 2012. OK – The first thing that was said when this commercial came on was “interesting choice of song” by my boyfriends dad. Little did we know that the song would just ad to the hilarity. It should be noted that I was raised on Ford trucks, but I always appreciate someone having the balls to call out their competitor.

Chevrolet: 2012

You could also talk about the (terrible, lip synced) halftime “performance,” the fact that Coke & Pepsi should just stop producing bad ads, or the unfortunate idea of leaked ads (it wasn’t nearly as fun to watch ads I’ve already seen), but I’d rather just post a few more videos. Which was your favorite?

M&M: Sexy and I Know It: How can you not chuckle at that?

Budweiser: Flash Fans: This was aired in Canada, but gained ridiculous digital recognition.

NBC Sports Network: The Next Ones: Obviously I’m going to like an ad with kids and hockey in it, but overall I’ve loved the NBC Sports campaign. And that child in the Flyers jersey is absolutely precious.