Hello everyone, sorry it has been so long. I have been travelling North America spreading the good word of LAX and haven't had time to keep up with my blogs. The good thing is that I have plenty of new material for my next few blogs. Stay tuned over the next few weeks to hear all about my summer so far.
Cheers,
Colin #7
Hey all, just checking back in from California. We arrived yesterday, back from the East. After spending a few days there I remembered why I love California so much. It was cold as all **ll back home!! It was nice to see family and friends and get my mind away from the Stealth for a few days. I like to call it recharging my batteries for the home stretch. As bad as things have been, we still have a shot at the post season and that is all that is on my mind right now....starting with the Mammoth at home this coming weekend. Lets get the HP rockin' for this one baby!!! We need it.
I have some time today and want to expand on one of my video blogs. I always get asked the question; "how is indoor lacrosse like hockey?" I try to answer that question as best I can, but today I'll go in to depth to try and convert some of you beloved hockey fans in the United States.
First off, the game of lacrosse is played in hockey arena's...enough said there. That should be enough to get everyone to come give the NLL a try!! If that doesn't work, why don't you come to see the number of goals scored? I love hockey, believe me it is no secret that I am a die hard Habs fan, even though some of you don't approve!! The one complaint I always hear about hockey is that there aren't enough goals scored in a game. They are working on making the nets bigger and downsizing the goaltenders, neither of which I agree as the game seems healthy to me. Indoor lacrosse will give you goal seekers the goals you need. It is normal to watch a COMPETITIVE 12-10 game. Nothing watered down, but an exciting game with many goals.
If that still doesn't do it, try coming for the physical aspect of the game. There are some "HUGE" hits during a lacrosse game, but come to enjoy the constant physical nature of our game. What makes lax so impressive is the fact that the athletes perform their mastery while constantly being pestered by the defenders. In hockey, there are usually bigger hits, but nothing as constant. That of course changes in the playoffs, as those seven game series' in the NHL truly are the best feats of any athletes.
Lastly, come watch lacrosse because the players leave everything they have on the floor. Yes it is action packed and yes it is a cheaper alternative, but the most gratifying part of watching a lacrosse game is the energy and authenticity the players exude. We don't make tons of money, and we don't have any arterial motives. We play because we love the game and we love competing. I can't say if that is true in hockey or any other sport, but I know for a fact that we are truly honest competitors in an ever increasing fake sports world. The downside of not being considered big time are obvious but the upside is that we have not be influenced at all by any outside interests. We play the game because we want to win it. Not because of an endorsement or because of contract extension. We play because we love the game!!
Take my thoughts for what they are worth, but it is part of our job to sell the American Hockey fan to the great game of lacrosse. I say give it a try and tell me what you think, I think you'll love it!!!
Before I leave I have one last note to touch on. I had the chance this weekend to play in the All star game in Colorado. I have many thoughts about the weekend, but one in specific stood out to me. Of course the fans in Denver are awesome, and of course the skill at the game is unbelievable, but my highlight was getting to play with Minnesota's Nick Inch. This may seem strange to many NLL fans, but I grew up in Kitchener with Nick and had many experiences with him as he grew up in the lacrosse scene. I remember presenting him with the player of the game award when I was a referee and he was a novice aged player. I remember coaching him for many years in Jr. A lacrosse and lastly I remember him getting drafted and finally playing in the NLL. Not only does this make me feel a little old, it also makes me really proud. It was great to see him in the NLL all star game, even though he couldn't bury a goal!! I will cherish that memory forever...Way to go Monkey, you deserve it.
Feel free to check out the video attached to this blog as I talk in person about the comparisons between hockey and lacrosse.
Until next time, stay tuned.
Colin #7
What's up yard? Just checking in after an awfully tough weekend out East. We lost back to back games in Boston and New York this past weekend, the second in heartwrenching style. I am frustrated and dissapointed with how we are doing, but I need to find a way to stay positive and keep this thing moving toward a playoff spot.
I am heading out to the all-star game tomorrow in Denver and am excited to take part in the festivities, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bogged down with the toughts of our season. I am going to take the rest of this week and all of next week to reflect and think of how I can be better and I think my teamates are all doing the same thing. In hopes that we come back fresh and positive after the break.
The good news is that we have three straight home games agains division rivals. A good run here in March will put us right back in the swing of things. We still control our own destiny and is sport that is all you can ask for!!!
The all star game will be cool as the fans in Denver are the best in the game. They will make this one hell of an event even though it will be weird to have them cheering for me (as a member of the West) rather than against me. The weekend all starts off Friday evening with a meet and greet between the players and fans followed by the skills competitiion. Saturday has the Hall of Fame introduction ceremony as well as the game itself at 7pm. It will be great to see all the all stars as well as the many first timers that I am looking forward to meeting. I will check in next week again to let you knwo how it went. The timing is perfect as I really want to enjoy a fun weekend away from all the issues we are having in Stealthland.
If you noticed I found the time to do some video blogs as well on the right hand side of my page. I talk about many things, so feel free to check them out as well.
Too bad the Canadiens didn't do anything yesterday at the trade deadline, I thought adding some grit would have helped down the stretch, but I trust Gainey knows what he is doing.
Until next time, stay tuned.
Colin #7
Hey all, as always I hope all is well in the Yard.
I just have a minute, but I wanted to drop by to let everyone know that we had a big win this past weekend at home against the Mammoth. ?We beat them 14-9 and had some help in the other games, so we are now in a playoff spot in the West. ?We travel to Boston on Friday to play them Saturday night and then off to New York to play the Titans on Sunday evening. ?Needless to say it is a big weekend for the Stealth.
I've got tons of new video that I shot on the weekend that I will be posting over the next week or so. ?I will drop by once more once we arrive in Boston.
Until then, stay tuned.....
Cheers,
Colin #7
Hey all, I'm sure all is well in the Yard. ?Checking out the site today I noticed all the great athletes that have been checking in lately...WOW, what a lineup! ?It is great hearing from all the other athletes and fans and getting their perspective on the sporting world.
In my world, it is back to the grind after a week off. ?After our tough loss to Portland two weeks ago, we all took the week off to re-group. ?For me, it was up to Lake Tahoe and then to Vegas for four days. ?It was a great trip, and Brooklyn loved the bright lights of Vegas. ?It was?awesome?to get away, but now I am ready to get back at it. ?We host Colorado this weekend for what?essentially?is a third place battle. ?They have been hot lately and will be ?a tough opponent as they normally are. ?There won't be many?surprises?for either team, as we know each other so well.
In Stealth land we have been struggling a bit to find our identity. ?I still believe once we do, we are going to be a great team with a really good shot at making a run at the title. ?With that being said, if we don't we may continue to struggle. ?This will be a big weekend for us, as we strive to find our grove. ?It is certainly not time for panic, but this win at home would go a long way for us!!
On Saturday night the HP?Pavilion?is also hosting Joey Chestnut (A Yardbarker athlete) as he tries to break the record for eating macaroni. ?I myself am a big eater and I am really looking forward to seeing him get after the macaroni. ?I think if I get my shot I am going to call him out in the Pizza bracket, cause I love my pizza. ?All in all it is going to be a great night at the HP, so I hope to see a bunch of you out there supporting the Stealth as we start to make our move in the NLL Western Division.
Nothing for top five lists today, but I will find some time to have a look at some of the books your guys offered in your responses!!
T'ill then, all the best.
Cheers,
Colin #7
