Happy Thursday everyone! I meant to get to this post earlier in the week but boring household stuff like cleaning and laundry got in the way. Not the snowstorm, though. I come from Pennsylvania so I'm used to that stuff. And for those of you who might have been worried, the games this weekend will not be canceled. Florida is already in town so things will go on according to planned with three games in three days. And what a huge set it is for the Road Warriors, especially after dropping all three last week. Two games against division rivals (Florida and Gwinnett) and one against a North Division foe that they have beaten twice already (Kalamazoo) make up this weekend's busy schedule. Here's how I view each opponent coming in and what might swing the outcome.
Florida: In much the same boat as the Road Warriors right now. Many players out due to injury and call-ups and playing .500 hockey over their last 10. These are still the top two teams in the South Division and I expect a tight, well-played game. Ultimately, though, I think the loss of Mitch Fadden to a blood clot in his leg is too much for the Everblades to overcome this night and a solid defensive outing by the Road Warriors leads to a win.
Gwinnett: Revenge will be the word of the day on Friday. Greenville has lost three straight against Gwinnett and is now 5-6-0 against the Gladiators this season. Aaron Bendickson was placed on the 3-day IR earlier this week and if he isn't back that puts even more pressure on the Road Warriors to shut down the line of Tim Miller, Pat Galivan, and Michael Forney - a line which torched them last weekend. Greenville has won three of five against the Gladiators at the BI-LO Center this season so home ice should be in their favor. This is a close one to call and I'm going to rule a push for right now.
Kalamazoo: The Wings are a tricky team to figure out, and probably to play against. They can score a ton and have skill up front and on the back end. In goal, Ryan Nie is a perennial 25-game winner in the ECHL and Riley Gill was the Goalie of the Month in October, and stellar in the Kelly Cup playoffs last year. Despite the goaltending, Kalamazoo's defense is one of the worst in the league. I think on Saturday Greenville's offense will have an awakening and help the team roll to a comfortable win.
So now that the serious matter of this weekend's games is out of the way, let's have some fun. My song of the week this week is something totally off the wall, and that's why I love it. It was suggested to me by Sheila Denard, but I have to confess that I almost didn't listen to it. The title is "Dirty Night Clowns" by Chris Garneau. Now the reason I almost just ignored it is because I am terribly afraid of clowns. If I see one at a street festival or fair you can be pretty sure I'm going to bolt the other way. My natural reaction when I saw the title of the song was, "Nope. No chance. I'm going to watch this video and have nightmares for weeks." But Sheila took the time to send it to me so I owed it to her to give it a chance.
And wouldn't you know that the song has been stuck in my head for days now. No nightmares, either, which is nice. The dancing skeletons and Grateful Dead-looking bears actually crack me up a good bit. I know for sure that a lot of people won't like this song as much as me, but that's too bad because it's my blog and I get to say what goes in it. Haha! So here's "Dirty Night Clowns," this week's song of the week.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Song of the Week
So I've decided to try something new. During the season I live, eat, sleep, and breathe hockey and I love it. Wouldn't be pursuing a career in it if I didn't. But at the same time there is more in my life than just hockey so I want to write about that a bit. Today's topic is music.
Music is huge to me. I have to have it on no matter what I'm doing during my day. I wake up to music on my alarm clock, have it on at my desk throughout the workday, plug in my iPod while I'm working out, blast the home stereo when I'm cleaning the apartment and on and on. One of my favorite things to do on an off day is scour the web for new music, find something I like, and listen to as much of that band's music as I can. I get such a rush out of discovering new music and then also sharing it with my friends.
Some people have told me my taste in music is a bit odd, but not because I like really strange music. More because I don't like some bands that everyone says I should like. I don't like Led Zepplin. I don't particularly like The Beatles. I really don't like Nirvana. It's not that I think they're bad bands; I know that they're good and I know that their work absolutely influenced a ton of the bands I listen to. It's just that their music doesn't move me in any way and I refuse to listen to music that bores me. If that means I have weird taste in music, then so be it. But I will listen to any genre, like I said, as long as the song makes me feel something (other than bored).
I can't remember where I heard this quote (and I don't know if it's exactly right) but it's one that I've always thought made too much sense: "If you are a love of art, then you love all art. If you are a lover of music, then you love all music." That's the approach I try to take when I'm looking for new music.
So why all this babbling? Will I ever get to my point? Yes I will get to my point and it is this. In this space I am going to post a Song of the Week for the rest of the hockey season. There won't be much rhyme or reason to how I choose the week's song. It could be my favorite tune of the moment, it could be something that I think relates to what's been going on with the Road Warriors, or it could be something completely off the wall. I also want to take suggestions from you all. If you have a song that you think deserves consideration for Song of the Week you can email it to me at grwradioray@gmail.com, and if I like your suggestion enough I'll post it here.
That being said, this week's Song of the Week is "Scalliwag" by Gaelic Storm.
I first heard this song on Pandora (greatest invention ever in my opinion) and bought the album "Bring Yer Wellies" not long ago. I haven't been able to stop listening to the entire album for weeks. I'd be willing to bet the same will happen to you. So enjoy "Scalliwag" and check back next week to see what the new song will be!
Music is huge to me. I have to have it on no matter what I'm doing during my day. I wake up to music on my alarm clock, have it on at my desk throughout the workday, plug in my iPod while I'm working out, blast the home stereo when I'm cleaning the apartment and on and on. One of my favorite things to do on an off day is scour the web for new music, find something I like, and listen to as much of that band's music as I can. I get such a rush out of discovering new music and then also sharing it with my friends.
Some people have told me my taste in music is a bit odd, but not because I like really strange music. More because I don't like some bands that everyone says I should like. I don't like Led Zepplin. I don't particularly like The Beatles. I really don't like Nirvana. It's not that I think they're bad bands; I know that they're good and I know that their work absolutely influenced a ton of the bands I listen to. It's just that their music doesn't move me in any way and I refuse to listen to music that bores me. If that means I have weird taste in music, then so be it. But I will listen to any genre, like I said, as long as the song makes me feel something (other than bored).
I can't remember where I heard this quote (and I don't know if it's exactly right) but it's one that I've always thought made too much sense: "If you are a love of art, then you love all art. If you are a lover of music, then you love all music." That's the approach I try to take when I'm looking for new music.
So why all this babbling? Will I ever get to my point? Yes I will get to my point and it is this. In this space I am going to post a Song of the Week for the rest of the hockey season. There won't be much rhyme or reason to how I choose the week's song. It could be my favorite tune of the moment, it could be something that I think relates to what's been going on with the Road Warriors, or it could be something completely off the wall. I also want to take suggestions from you all. If you have a song that you think deserves consideration for Song of the Week you can email it to me at grwradioray@gmail.com, and if I like your suggestion enough I'll post it here.
That being said, this week's Song of the Week is "Scalliwag" by Gaelic Storm.
I first heard this song on Pandora (greatest invention ever in my opinion) and bought the album "Bring Yer Wellies" not long ago. I haven't been able to stop listening to the entire album for weeks. I'd be willing to bet the same will happen to you. So enjoy "Scalliwag" and check back next week to see what the new song will be!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
My Christmas Wish List
Merry Christmas Road Warrior nation! It's Radio Ray checking in with you from snowy Pennsylvania. That's because I've successfully made the nine-hour trek north to spend time with friends and family for the Christmas holiday. I hope if you are traveling this year that you arrive wherever you are going safely and get to enjoy your time with loved ones. For those of us in the hockey industry the days we get off around Christmas are treasured. Especially this season with the Road Warriors having seven days off between games. Many, if not all, of the players and staff got time to travel home and see their families unlike some other teams in the ECHL. Gwinnett and Florida are playing tonight and tomorrow night so I would be very surprised if any of those players will be afforded the chance to travel home. It has also been a very busy first few months for the Road Warriors so a week to get away from the rink and relax is not a bad thing. The players, though, will have to take care to stay active during the break because even a few days off can wipe out much of the hard work they do to train for and maintain their high level of fitness.
The true importance, though, of Christmas is sharing time with the ones we love. What makes it even better is that we get to exchange gifts and enjoy some great food and drink. To me, there's no better way to relax! Growing up I always loved coming up with wish lists for Santa and then waiting all month to see which wishes would come true. I might be a little bit late with this one, I am a procrastinator after all, but here is my wish list for this Christmas. If you can help fill any of these wishes leave a comment down below!
1. For all of my family traveling to Pittsburgh from the midwest and New England all arrive safely.
2. Snow, at least an inches worth, in Greenville this winter.
3. Books to add to my collection. Reading is my favorite way to pass time on long road trips.
4. More teams in the Western Conference in the ECHL. They do the best they can w/a tough situation, but it's silly to have seven out of eight teams from the conference make the playoffs.
5. Tickets and a ride to the Winter Classic between Pittsburgh and Washington at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Jan. 1.
6. For the Road Warriors to one day play an outdoor game in the ECHL.
7. A bike. I gave up my bicycle after I finished college, but with all the great riding in and around Greenville I definitely want a bike again.
8. A well-attended ECHL All-Star Game. The league made a bold move in changing the format of the All-Star Game to have host Bakersfield play the ECHL All-Stars. I like gutsy, bold moves like that and I hope the great fans in Bakersfield respond to it.
9. A new case for my guitar. Taking it on the road is a great way to kill down time at the hotel. I'm nervous that if I keep transporting it in the soft case I have right now that it'll get damaged.
10. For Brandon Saad to get drafted and turn into a good NHL player. He's a forward with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League and has 36 points in 31 games. He is originally from Gibsonia, PA and attended Pine Richland High School where my dad went. I saw his team play a state championship game in Johnstown at the War Memorial Arena when he was a freshman and I think it'd be great to see another Pittsburgh kid (Ryan Malone, R.J. Umberger, John Zeiler) stick in the NHL.
11. For T.J. Reynolds to grow his mustache back. T.J.'s size and reputation are intimidating enough but the 'stache put him over the top.
12. At least one sell out at a Road Warriors game this season. We had the biggest crowd of the season on Dec. 17 at just under 4,600 and the place was rocking. It would be incredible to hear how loud it would be with 7,100.
13. The continued health of the Road Warriors' players. The team is building something special this season and has been relatively lucky in dodging major injuries. Knock on wood and hope that continues.
14. Cullen Eddy and Sean Berkstresser to never knock on my hotel room door. You all saw what happened to Blake Parlett's and Connor Shields' hotel room when I gave them control of the video diary two weeks ago. At least I know if there's a late-night knock at my door to use the peephole first.
15. Many more years of Road Warriors hockey in Greenville. The first two-and-a-half months of this season have been exciting and memorable for me, especially because of the great fans that the Road Warriors have. We need to build our family up and make sure that hockey thrives here in the Upstate.
It may be a pretty long Christmas list, but I've been a good boy this year so I think Santa should pull through for me. I'm going to print it off, put it in an envelope and mail it to the North Pole so it gets there before Saturday.
In the meantime I hope you and your families have a blessed and safe Christmas. Once you've unwrapped all the presents and have eaten all the Christmas cookies come out and see us on December 27 at the BI-LO Center against South Carolina.
Radio Ray
The true importance, though, of Christmas is sharing time with the ones we love. What makes it even better is that we get to exchange gifts and enjoy some great food and drink. To me, there's no better way to relax! Growing up I always loved coming up with wish lists for Santa and then waiting all month to see which wishes would come true. I might be a little bit late with this one, I am a procrastinator after all, but here is my wish list for this Christmas. If you can help fill any of these wishes leave a comment down below!
1. For all of my family traveling to Pittsburgh from the midwest and New England all arrive safely.
2. Snow, at least an inches worth, in Greenville this winter.
3. Books to add to my collection. Reading is my favorite way to pass time on long road trips.
4. More teams in the Western Conference in the ECHL. They do the best they can w/a tough situation, but it's silly to have seven out of eight teams from the conference make the playoffs.
5. Tickets and a ride to the Winter Classic between Pittsburgh and Washington at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Jan. 1.
6. For the Road Warriors to one day play an outdoor game in the ECHL.
7. A bike. I gave up my bicycle after I finished college, but with all the great riding in and around Greenville I definitely want a bike again.
8. A well-attended ECHL All-Star Game. The league made a bold move in changing the format of the All-Star Game to have host Bakersfield play the ECHL All-Stars. I like gutsy, bold moves like that and I hope the great fans in Bakersfield respond to it.
9. A new case for my guitar. Taking it on the road is a great way to kill down time at the hotel. I'm nervous that if I keep transporting it in the soft case I have right now that it'll get damaged.
10. For Brandon Saad to get drafted and turn into a good NHL player. He's a forward with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League and has 36 points in 31 games. He is originally from Gibsonia, PA and attended Pine Richland High School where my dad went. I saw his team play a state championship game in Johnstown at the War Memorial Arena when he was a freshman and I think it'd be great to see another Pittsburgh kid (Ryan Malone, R.J. Umberger, John Zeiler) stick in the NHL.
11. For T.J. Reynolds to grow his mustache back. T.J.'s size and reputation are intimidating enough but the 'stache put him over the top.
12. At least one sell out at a Road Warriors game this season. We had the biggest crowd of the season on Dec. 17 at just under 4,600 and the place was rocking. It would be incredible to hear how loud it would be with 7,100.
13. The continued health of the Road Warriors' players. The team is building something special this season and has been relatively lucky in dodging major injuries. Knock on wood and hope that continues.
14. Cullen Eddy and Sean Berkstresser to never knock on my hotel room door. You all saw what happened to Blake Parlett's and Connor Shields' hotel room when I gave them control of the video diary two weeks ago. At least I know if there's a late-night knock at my door to use the peephole first.
15. Many more years of Road Warriors hockey in Greenville. The first two-and-a-half months of this season have been exciting and memorable for me, especially because of the great fans that the Road Warriors have. We need to build our family up and make sure that hockey thrives here in the Upstate.
It may be a pretty long Christmas list, but I've been a good boy this year so I think Santa should pull through for me. I'm going to print it off, put it in an envelope and mail it to the North Pole so it gets there before Saturday.
In the meantime I hope you and your families have a blessed and safe Christmas. Once you've unwrapped all the presents and have eaten all the Christmas cookies come out and see us on December 27 at the BI-LO Center against South Carolina.
Radio Ray
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