Women's Hockey - Some Cool Caps!

The other day I had my first taste of professional women's hockey. If you haven't been out you need to see a game. The pace is quick, the tickets a cheap, and the entire atmosphere is fun and friendly.

You can read more over at my website but some of my initial thoughts are listed below:
I loved hearing little girls giving play by play, telling their friends what was happening with such life in their voices. It was beyond precious.

I couldn't believe that Olympic athletes are my height, have the same purses and favorite sweats and outerwear I do. I know they're human but it was so weird to see these women who have represented their country behave so normally. Our country reveres athletes, well no, our country reveres professional male athletes with big contracts. These women aren't on a pedestal, they have regular jobs to support their families, and are active in the community. THESE are the athletes your children should have as role models.

Hearing from some of the players I found to be the favorites and about the ones I didn't get a chance to talk to my feelings on girls hockey has changed. These women who have pioneered the way for women's hockey played with the boys, it's evident in their stride, their footwork, their puck handling skills, everywhere. When Gigi Marvin or Captain Winny Brodt had the puck you could almost see someone confusing them with a male player save for the ponytail. The way they skated, the speed, everything was just much more commanding and in control. So now that there'd are morre girls hockey programs what do that mean for women's hockey and its future?

Speaking with the Whitecaps I've heard that many coaches are at wits end trying to understand how to coach girls. There a two big differences. Girls don't respond to all out yelling, they do better with explanations of why they should be playing better, discussing expectations and performance, etc. The other? Well girls need to know why they are doing exercises, not to question authority but to better understand how this relates to their game. Coach said I needed to work on quick starts, well he explained that xyz drill targets the muscles we use for quick starts, I'll do those in my extra ice time.

After seeing one game, I'm definitely excited to watch more.

Wayzata Punch Pizza supports "Pizza for Peter"

You know those silly reasons you find yourself unable to move away from a city? Well Punch Pizza is one of mine. Great community involvement, even better promotions, and to top it off the best pizza I ever had the joy of consuming. So here's another great thing the locally founded pizza joint is doing for its community.

Join us for our 4th Annual "Pizza for Peter" Charity Event at Punch Neapolitan Pizza Wayzata this Sunday December 5th.

For an entire month Peter Larson sleeps outside his house in a refrigerator box to raise money for people without homes. We want to help Peter reach his goal of raising $100,000 for
as many as 50 families.

50% of all our sales on Sunday will be donated to Peter and IOCP (Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners) to help them provide affordable housing in our community and help people in need.

For more information visit the links posted below.

Stop in anytime on Sunday at Punch Wayzata for a great meal for
a great cause! As always, your additional donations are welcome
and greatly appreciated. Peter will be helping out and avalabile
from 5-8pm that evening.

Thanks and hope you can make it!

Visit Peter Larson's Sleepout Page:
https://iocp.ejoinme.org/?tabid=220097&joinme=2767

Visit IOCP's page: http://www.iocp.org/

It's Officially Winter

There isn't one specific date when the seasons change. According to scientists it's the equinox, the 21st every three months and the season magically changes. Poof! Presto Change-O! Afraid not, every climate is different and every individual's tolerance is different as well.

My personal belief in the seasons has been if I don't acknowledge it, well it hasn't changed over yet! Stubborn? Yes. Out of touch? Very. But why? One part optimism and the other part perception. You see, winter in Minnesota is very cold. VERY COLD. When people complain of bad weather and are wearing hoodies in climes with 56 degrees as their current temp it makes me cringe. They know nothing about real winter, nothing.

Last night I met with Andrew Sherburne of "Pond Hockey," as well as "The Forgotten Miracle of 1960," and most recently an author of the children's book Ben and Lucy Play Pond Hockey. Andrew and I discussed many of his experiences at length, which can be found over at the hockey website I run, Chicks Who Give a Puck later on next week. One thing Andrew said that stuck with me was how Minnesotans tackle weather, especially winter. Last night it was 19 degrees and today another snowstorm has greeted the Cities with a blanket of fresh, white powder. Brrrrrrr!

Today I sat at my desk shivering and dreading winter when I remembered what Andrew had said, "You're only cold for a little while, and then you get moving and you forget about the cold because you are having so much fun!" and I began a mental list of all the adventures I will partake in this winter. If you stick around, you'll get to join me.

After six years of really living here including the three years I spent attending college here I'm finally going to enjoy winter rather than endure it. I've got a laundry list of things I plan on attempting, and am always open to suggestions, partners in crime, and feedback.

On the agenda this year that I have yet to try:
Attending my first high school hockey game.
Attending my first US Pond Hockey Tournament.
Attempting to ice fish.
Obtaining my snowmobile license.
Skating as many of the ponds, outdoor rinks and lakes in and around the cities.
Learning how to do a hockey stop.
Attempting to ice surf/snow kiting.
Participating in the Winter Carnival scavenger hunt.
Catching the Macy's Christmas Parade in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Snowshoe across Lake Minnetonka.
Trying every single restaurant in the Cities with a Juicy Lucy and rating them all.