Hockey This & That for a July Holiday

We're heading into the dog days of summer.... and I hate it. But what can you do? Other than complain that is.

So yesterday was the last broadcast of NHL Live for the season. Originally it was supposed to go through to July 11. But for some reason, they cut it off on the 3rd. I don't know what the heck I'm going to do now at work. It was two hours of sanctuary every Monday - Friday. I'll probably have to go back to web streaming Canadian sports radio. The only problem with that is that I'll know more about traffic in TO than I will on the Southern State. But at least.... there's hockey. Mostly Leafs hockey, but hockey non-the-less.

Satan and Tank to the Penguins: I sent a heartfelt email to my mother-in-law when I heard the news. I knew she'd be upset with the information. When I first brought her to a game, she fell for Kozlov. He smiled at her at the glass.

When Kozlov wasn't "part of the plan" last summer, I introduced her to Ruslan. As another blond haired, blue-eyed Russian boy with rosy cheeks, he was a perfect fit for her. As women, it makes the game even better and more enjoyable when you can focus and attach yourself to one player. Maybe it has something to do with that mother instinct, but an attachment makes the game and the team more a personal experience.

"Seems like everyone I like disappears -- Oh well."

Yes Mom. "Race horses and hockey players: they'll break your heart." (I heard that on XM radio but I don't know who said it. It may have been Hradek, but it stuck with me.)

Since my office closed early yesterday, I took the opportunity to spend some quality time with IslanderQueen sipping Starbucks ice coffee and talking at 200 mph. We didn't have much time, and we always have a lot to say. We laugh, we cry, we shop and play Marco Polo in the make-up aisles of Target. Why am I telling you this?

Well, since I left early I had no idea that Blogfather Chris Botta posted that he was doing a guest spot on XM radio. It was a nice surprise to hear him on Power Play on my way home from work. The best part was the way he handled the "Snow/Nolan" questions. Very polished, very professional, but what else would he be? Hmmmm.... next up as a replacement for Melrose on ESPN? Why not. Too bad he's still hellbent on shutting down NYIPointblank on the 7th; so that will be yet another hockey info outlet that we'll lose. Phooey!!

Tuesday July 8th is slated for a player signing evening at the Islanders team store at Broadway mall in Hicksville. According to the website Okposo and Comeau are scheduled to be there. Those two kids will be household names by the time the summer is over.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July people. I'm going back to sleep.