INSIDE HOCKEY

It was a weird day for me. I dropped a player and added Mike Modano. Don’t gasp too loudly, I was shocked myself. All of my players are injured on my fantasy team. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m cursed or what, but if you took a look at my roster, there’s a lot of red splattered around.

One of my hockey buddies from last season, I’ll call him ‘Mr. Fireman,’ is the reason I’m in this league and I thank him. I do not thank him for his comment today about my roster looking like a hospital. Although it’s not looking good right now for my team, I am delicately unloading and replacing. In my history of playing fantasy hockey, I have won! I came in first one season and came in second another season. My trophy case is not empty.

Last season, I was frantically searching for a hockey buddy. This season I've been slightly sidetracked. Luckily I have been keeping busy with the fantasy league and I’ve been watching a bit of hockey on TV. I moved across town last spring and when I did, I acquired a local Orange County station. It’s pretty exciting that I can watch Ducks games in my pajamas now instead of having to leave my home.

However, I do miss my old sports bar, Hollywood Billiards and their nachos. I have yet to find a bar on this side of town that I don’t have to drive to and that’s just not going to work for me. If anyone has any ideas of decent bars on the west side of Los Angeles, let me know.

After what seems like a million games into the season, I finally got to the Honda Center for a Ducks v. Coyotes game on Sunday, January 4th. We (me and three enthusiastic hockey-goers) met at one of my favorite locations, Hooters, before the game. I am a fan of the grilled cheese and fries basket, okay? I was excited to be going to the game because we had good seats and because my friends were excited as well. Once we got to the arena, I quickly made my way over to get a tasty hot fudge sundae, always a wonderful highlight of the entire experience.

It was cool to see The Great One behind the bench, but I didn’t linger too long with my glances as I was in George Parros territory once again. It’d been too long since I’d seen the 'stache in person. Not only was the 'stache going strong, his hair was out of control as well. I should ask him how he gets his locks so sheen. I’m impressed. Also impressive: goalie Jonas Hiller, who stopped all 29 Phoenix shots.

For one of my friends, it was her first game. She was really into it, for the most part. As I was focused on the game, at one point I heard some Mötley Crüe talk coming from my pals (a few Guns 'N Roses comments, too). Behind me, a kid with his dad was asking questions nonstop. At least he was interested, I suppose.

Anaheim won 2-0. A little over three minutes into the second period, Chris Pronger scored the first goal. Thanks for helping out my fantasy team, Pronger! Bobby Ryan scored the second goal. The amazing Scott Niedermayer assisted both goals. Both were power play goals. The penalties were too many men on the ice. Gretzky might need to teach his boys how to count.

I realized I haven’t watched nearly enough hockey when I didn’t recognize some of the Ducks on the ice. I was tempted to lean back and join in with the kid behind me, but I thought it might be a little intrusive.

As a final note, I have to tell you I definitely won’t be cheering for the Stars, but I may get a twinge of personal satisfaction if Modano does something to help out my near morgue of a roster.