Hockey read of the day

Apparently some leagues frown upon drinking before and during games (which actually makes sense). Here's the story.

The article is amusing enough but check out the photo: what the hell kind of beer league has a trophy that big and what the hell is the bare-ass dude in the background doing?

Just curious.

--S.H.

Tour of California, Stage 8

Tour of California, Stage 8, a photo by JulieAndSteve on Flickr.

No hockey today. But went for nice spin around downtown L.A. on my Cannondale and watched the last stage of the Tour of California. Photo was taken under a pair of jacarondas on Broadway. Not sure what I sat in on the sidewalk. Pretty sure I don't want to know.

--S.H.

Art of the tip-in

Mandatory reading for all aspiring beer-leaguers, via this story in the New York Times today.

In fact, with the playoffs underway, my adult clinic coach ran a tip-in drill just last week, saying in tight playoff games, a tip-in could make the difference.

Of course, it's easier said than done. I think the closest I've come was -- and this is typical -- tipping a shot away from the goal. Which kind of made me the D-bag of the moment.

--S.H.

A night at the ballpark

A night at the ballpark, a photo by JulieAndSteve on Flickr.

Can't watch hockey every night--boy ose Dodger Dogs are skinny. Speaking of hockey, Kings playoff game at 6 p.m. Tuesday night followed by my beer league game for first place at 9 p.m. And the rink has a good TV.

Nice!

Listen to me blather about adult league hockey on public radio!

Warren Olney, the gracious host of KCRW's "Which Way L.A.?," let me spew forth about adult league hockey in a segment on his show today titled "Can the Kings make L.A. a hockey town?" Listen here

The only downside of my appearance is I had to share airtime with Kings radio announcer and blabbermouth Daryl Evans, who turns out to be a radio/ice hog. Hey dude: your shift is up. Get off the ice/radio.

Some hockey mom was also a guest. So you have to listen for a few minutes until Warren allowed a very caffeinated me to enter the fray. I would have loved to talk more about me, me and me -- as well as the NHL generally setting a bad example for the rest of the hockey universe by selling needless bloodshed that distracts from the athleticism and beauty of the game.

Oh well, next time. Still fun.

--S.H.

Full moon over San Gabriel Mountain ridge

Full moon over San Gabriel Mountain ridge, a photo by JulieAndSteve on Flickr.

Yeah it's a hockey blog. But it's MY hockey blog, so I get to post my sensitive man nature shots whenever I damn well please.

Like right now.

That's the super moon from last weekend, taken on the trail to Echo Mountain above Altadena. Put down your hockey bag and hike it sometime -- you can justify it by calling it a dryland conditioning session.

--S.H.

Choosing a post-game beer: the critical part of the game that doesn't get enough attention

I may not be able to expose my team to good hockey, but as captain I consider it my sacred duty to expose them to good beer. No Bud Lights in my locker room. Ever.

We've been on a bit of a roll and it seems to correlate with having Pacific Northwest beers, courtesy of my BevMo card. Over the past four weeks, we've enjoyed Mirror Pond, Black Star, Widmer Hefeweizen and Pyramid Hefeweizen. The team seemed to like the hefs the most -- they're on the light side, perfect for rehydrating fatigued adult leaguers.

Have a good beer selection? Leave a comment. I'm pretty sure the Hockey Gods favor those who don't buy the same beer week after week.

photo: Widmerbrothers.com

--S.H.

Hockey pic of the day

cbp hosting the winter classic, a photo by jrab on Flickr.

Cool photo from last year's Winter Classic.