late but special star player blog-Zach Parise

Even though he is not one of my boys Zach Parise is still in serious need of some attention for what he did during the olympics. This kid was great, he helped his team to the medal round where they faced Canada for the gold medal. The 2 teams met once before in competion but this time it was serious. The Americans needed to win to get the gold. Things were all good until the Canadians made it a 2-1 game and it stayed that way in the 3rd. I was praying for a miracle when Zach came down the ice and scored with less than a minute to play. It was all tied up and went into a 20 minute over time which the Americans lost but if it wasn't for this young man we wouldn't have had a chance. So to many Americans he is the new version of one of the boys of that miracle on ice team from 1980. This 25 year old plays for the New Jersey devils but is originally from Minneapollis. He seems like such a good guy but I wanted to honor him for giving us a shot at gold! Congrats Zach on the silver

Star player Michael Forney

I really like this guy. He is such a sweet boy and he works really hard. Michael has scored at least 5 goals this season for the Gladiators. Shortly after my prayer session with the boys Mike was called up to the AHL's Chicago wolves briefly. He was back with the Gladiators in a week and stayed for about a week or 2 before going back to Chicago where he's currently playing. All the girls like Forney and why not? He's cute, sweet and talented. I talk with him often through Facebook, he's very approachable- he doesn't act like he doesn't have time or doesn't care. He actually enjoys the attention and acts like it but not in the way that makes him look like a jerk. I absulutly love Forney and hope to be able to go to a NHL game to support him that day may not be to far off he was at the Thrasher prospect camp and was kept in the system, hince why he was a Gladiator. All of this is why I wanted to honor Mike. He is so genuine, likeable, talented and relatable. I wish him all the best. I will post more stories about this kid in his bio blog!!

Prayer and Closure

What a difference a week makes, I guess you could also call this blog a tale of 2 Thursdays. The thursday before last (the 18th of Feburuary) I got to pray over the Gladiators. This was no spur of the moment thing either, I had been emailing coach Pyle about praying over the boys for a while then on Monday or tuesday the week I went to pray I got the email from coach saying that I could come thursday to pray over them after practice. I was so very excited. So on Thursday I got up, got ready and left about an hour before practice started. When I got there I saw my friend Amy so I stopped to talk to her, all of a sudden I hear "Christine!!!" UH-OH I'm in trouble! "Yes Coach??" I walked over to coach and my hands were shaking. I wasn't in trouble he said he didn't know I was going to be there so early and he asked if I would like to pray over them before pracatice and I said yes. I also told him that I had scriptures for them. He seemed kinda relieved that I was there early. So I walked behind him until Scott "Miffer" Mifsud caught my attention. I talked to him for a little bit and told him about his prayer partner. He's so awesome and precious!! Then after that I said hey to some of the other boys and headed into the rink. Coach had the boys skate around for a while then opened the gate and I got really nervous. He yells "boys, bring it in!! Bring it in!!" He looks at me and tells me to stand on the board the gate rested on. So I got into place as the boys settled into their semi circle in front of me. I smiled as I saw Michael Forney move his eyebrows at me. "Crazy boy- loving women's attention a little too much" I thought. Then I looked over and smiled when I saw Phil Youngclaus standing to my left looking at me as he just realized he reconginized me. As I looked over the boys I realized something, I had no reason to be nervous because these were my boys!! I've loved this team (maybe not these excate boys but the team) for 2 years as of January and I've known at least some of these boys for a year and a half now. I looked over and there's Chad Denny, my sweet Miq Mak I love the heck out of that boys!! He smiled at me, so sweet. Coach spoke to the boys introducing me to them saying that I was there to get God on their side for the rest of the season. So I shared a few scriptures with them about strength then I asked for prayer request--none-- and so I prayed for everything (strength, safety, wins, wisdom, and anything else I could think of). I peeked around and for the most part all of them had their eyes closed and their heads bowed. When I got done coach leans over and says "how about 'Lord help them to listen to coach'?" I smiled and said "Well Actually there is scripture that says to respect your authority" He kinda laughs and says "very good, thanks" and fist bumps me as I got of the wood. I also heard the boys yell thank you, even though it wasn't in a vey excited tone. I stayed for practice and to talk to the boys afterward if they wanted to or needed to talk. I eneded up staying until Danny, Dan and Drew left (they were the last to leave). I did talk to all of the boys and Danny was very chatty and silly. I did end up getting a smile out of Phil, I love seeing that boys smile!! While I was there all the boys were fist bumping me thanking me and I felt like I was suppose to be there! So the next day I went back bright and early to see my boys and of course I was early so I watched some of the figure skaters until my boys showed up. I said hey to Chad Denny- sweetheart but not really talkative.Then Danny Taylor walks in, now the fun begins. Danny is pretty cool so we talked for a while when he said something simple and sweet, but awkward, "pray for Jamie's head." It took all I had not to laugh "ok I will and I'll tell his prayer partner." Poor baby got a concussion. I stayed for the whole practice and until Danny left. I love those guys but sadly they lost their 2 games after the prayer. Coach didn't blame the prayer, he said it actually helped. After that I have emailed him about praying over the boys again and it might actually happen. After Friday I thought I'd have a nice break from hockey until I decided to deal with Bogi or go to a Gladiators game. I was so wrong!! I woke up saturday and went to my gym and as I was on the tredmill I saw Chris "Thor" Thorburn of the Thrashers. I finished my stuff and I saw he was on the bike and that there was an open 1 by him so I went over to talk to him, he's pretty cool. After we talked he asked me if I was coming back to cheer for them and I told him I would come back to practice as soon as the break was over. The following thursday (1 week after the prayer) I kept my promise and went to the forum to deal with Bogi. Practice was half over when I got there but I saw Bogi so I was ok. While I was watching him I saw something I missed, his little smile and I heard him laugh. As soon as practice was over and the boys started to come off the ice my heart started to pound. Bogi came off and instantly was being asked for autographs so I crossed the aisle and got close to the dressing room doors. "Zach?" He smiles and says hey. I told him what I had to say and that I would be there when he wanted me there. He smiled and said something sooooo mature but in his own 19 year old way "You're fine you're good you don't have to apologize don't worry about I'll see ya later!" Oh I am so proud!! He is such a good boy!!

pink hockey

For the 2nd year in a row I went to the 2nd game in the pink in the rink series. It was awesome. At this point I was fully focused on the Gladiators for ministry purposes. I was in constant contact with Michael Forney and Coach Pyle, both are awesome guys. This was the 3rd game I went to this season for the Gladiators. Pink in the rink is a series of games where they wear special jerseys (this year it was through back jersey for the knights) and the ice is painted pink- hince the name pink in the rink. So the saturday before last I skipped the gym and was cursing the snow and ice. It had snowed the day before after I had left my gym and by saturday alot of it had not melted. I started to get ready slowly, just in case we didn't go. What I didn't know was that my stepdad was cleaning off the driveway so that we could go. My boys are not important to him but I guess he didn't want to lose money on our tickets. This was my Valentine's day gift from my parents so I joked with my boys that they were my Valentines and let me just say that I had the best Valentines ever!!! We finally did get to go and the roads were pretty clear. We up held a long standing game day tradition by going to Johnny Carrino's (very yummy!!) and then we headed on to the arena. When we got there we went in and walked to our seats but not before we ran into Krystal. She is soooooo awesome and kinda crazy (proven by our little people watching session at the gym where she called a guy a puffer fish). We got to our seats and there was time before the warm ups so I went to cash in the vochures and get a shirt. When I got back I saw one of my friends outside our section, she's a Mary Kay sales person, so I talked to her for a while but decided to sit down in my seat to watch my boys warm up. I tried to get some pictures of Chad Denny but I only got a few because Tim Miller kept blocking my shot. When the game finally started I was so excited to see the goalies from the MLK game back in goal, it was going to be good again. I love watching my boys they actually try to play well, although sometimes they do give up. I'm now a little Gladiator (little because some of the boys are taller than me) and I try to be very focused during games. They did really good in the 1st period scoring 2 goals I believe. They are so great at playing quick and physical hockey. I remember laughing at Phil Youngclaus about shoving people randomly, he's a good guy I love his smile and his style of playing. I also remember noticing that Phil had hair during warm ups. I love that boy both bald and with hair. the 1st period ended with those goals and a fight and a few shoving matches. I was really like the game even though the 2nd period was a snore fest. There was a few shoving matches but for whatever reason the refs wouldn't let them go, I hate when that happens- they should let them go. In the 3rd period there were more trips and shoving it was awesome remaing 2-0 which is completely awesome and I was hopping it was going to stay that way for Brownie and for coach. I kept looking over at coach just to see him and how he was, he looked pretty confident. I was cheering but not as much I ussually do, I was kinda tired. Brownie was a beast in goal!! I love that kid! I was noticing his mask which had pengiuns on it (not the cute cuddly version though, the pittsburg version) and that's why I call him Brownie the pengiun. I was yelling during the 3rd period, it was going to be a shut out!! Then at the end the checkers got 1 goal---ick!!!! Coach just had this look of "what the heck boys cover your goalie!!!" I was just as frustrated as he was, Brownie even made a face. I love that kid. so the game ended and I was kinda wanting to go to the after party but I knew the boys were heavy drinkers and I knew if they were playing fiesty they may have gotten fiesty in a completely different way. I do love my boys and I'm happy they at least won!!

Star Player David brown

In November David "Brownie the pengiun" Brown was without a job like many Americans, the difference was that David had the oppurinty to play with the pengiuns! The reason David was with out a job was that te Pengiuns released him because he had mono. So some where around December/january Coach Pyle called David's agent once he was cleared by the Doctor's to play. I wanted to honor this guy because of his shear talent. I'm watching him just in awe. I went to a game and the only time David allowed a goal was when he fell flat on his back. He's pretty wild, at least 40 shots on goal and only 1 let in! I was talking to David after practice friday and he is such a good guy very sweet. When I was at practice thursday I was standing on the peice of board that the gate rest on and he was kneeling in front of me just so curious as to why I was there but once coach explained he still looked curious but was very respectful and sweet. I'm sorry all of these are so short recently but almost all of these boys are either new are not so chatty but I wish him all of the best.

picture blog

I have a lot of pictures that may not fit into a blog but I wanted to let them be showcased, these are either taken by me or friends or found on google I'll let you know!!

My favorite or at least one of them from last season!! Andy Brandt!!

Taken by lindsey. This was me and turple after a game in 2009 (@ the end of the 2008-2009 season) he's awesome!!

Colby Celbrating a goal another product of a late night on google

Jim Craig. Obivously I got this from google but I like it. Jimmy is so cool!

star player: Sam Roberts

Sam joined the Gladiators this season just in time to be considered for a poll as one of the best new comers I didn't actually see who won the poll but I think Sam pretty much had it. Roberts joined Drew paris for the all-star game and skills competetion. In the game he scored 1 goal and 1 assist. This season he has scored 9 goals and 18 assists. Sam took a short stint on Lake Erie's AHL team. All of this is why I wanted to honor this young man. This young man is a fan favorite because he is a very sweet guy. I believe he came straight from his unviserity (Xavier) so he's doing well for this being his 1st professional season. Sadly I have very little experience with Sam and very few stories to tell about sam but I will gather some and post them during Sam's Bio blog. As usual I wish Sam well!

Retro Bio- Jack O'callahan

Jack O'Callahan (OC), oh goodness where to start? OC was known as the guy who'd be the 1st to drop glove, even fighting during practice when he played for the Olympic team. Time for the basics of this "bad boy". He was born on July 2 1957 in Charlestown Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston latin school in 1975 and then attended boston university from 1975-1979 where he was the team captian for 2 seasons (1977-1978 & 1978-1979). He was also a 2 time all star, All New england, All american, 2 time team MVP, beanpot MVP, NCAA tournament MVP and a 2 time Cochrane award winner. OC played for team USA at the 1979 world championships. In 1980 he played for the US Oylmpic hockey team but was hurt in an exhibition game and returned for the miracle on ice game where he tied the scpre at 1 by putting a massive hit on a soviet and setting up Buzz. OC was drafted by the black hawks in 1977 but played with the AHL New Brunswick team 1st after the 1980 olympics. He did eventually play for the black hawks from 195-1987 and then played for the NJ devils. OC retired after the 1989 world championships. He returned to Chicago and works in Financial Services on the Chicago Mercantile exchange. He also founded beanpot finanicial services with Jack Hughes who played in the NHL. In a 1981 T.V. movie he was played by Peter Horton but then in 2004 he was played by Michael Mantanuto. Michael played for Boston U and university of maine. He got the part of OC after he got into a fight at tryouts. OC was tough but talented so he would be most like Alexander Oviechkin, Dan Sullivan, Tim Miller, Michael Couch, Eric Boulton, Myles Stoesz and Boris Valabik (among others like them).

Retro Bio Jim Craig

What's to be said about good old Jimmy? This guy is what got me thinking about playing goalie. This 52 year young goalie was born May 31, 1957 in Easton Massachusetts. He played at Boston University and led Boston to the championship in 1978. He was the NCAA all star in 1979 and was inducted to the schools hall of fame in 1989. In 1980 Jim played goalie for the US team in the olypmics (which was his mom's dream). In the "miracle on the ice" game against the Soviets Criag deflected 36 of 39 shots. After the game (which they won in an upset) a flag was put around his shoulders while he was looking for his dad and the flag is now in the sports museum of America in NY. Jim was drafted by the Atlanta flames in 1977 but didn't play for them until after the olympic break in 1980. In the 1980-1981 season he played for the Boston Bruins. He played for the national team for the 1981 Canada cup but missed the tournament because of an injury. He spent the next sason with the Erie blades (a minor league team). In 1983 he played for the US again but this time it was in the IIHF pool B tournment in which he was named goaltender of the tournment. The Minnesota North Stars signed him to a free agent contract and he played in 1984 beofre retiring from hockey. He is now in high demand as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, marketing and sales strategist. Jim was also a sales and marketing ezecutive and strategist. He is the president for a promotions and marketing firm called gold medal strategies. Jim was played by Steve Guttenburg in a 1981 made for T.V. movie. He was also played by Eddie Cahill in the 2004 film Miracle. Eddie also played in Friends and CSI:New York. Today we have a few people who play like him or have made "Craig like plays". The boys who play like Craig include (but not limited to) Danny Turple, Craig Kallawski, Ondrej Pavelec, and Kari L. (when he is not hurt). Danny can sympothise with Jim about being moved around lot. All the boys named have the fluid butterfly, dive for the puck style Jim had. I was told that I should mention that in a recent game Johan Hedberg, also known as Moose, made a save that was pretty spectacular and there for Jim like. Jim was an amazing goalie and I wish so much that I could have seen him play. I also wish that I could meet him. Thanks Jimmy for inspiring the country when we needed it the most.

We finally got rid of him!!!

The guy I compare to Jeff Gordan is now gone. I don't pity the devils at all, as soon as Ilya gets tired of being in NJ he'll give up on doing good to get traded which worked in Atlanta. The bad thing in all of this is that Don our GM is getting a lot of the blame for the trade. The thing is that Ilya wanted to leave so he gave up. Why blame a GM when faced with a guy who WANTS to leave. So don't blame Don blame Ilya for being selfish and giving up. If he wanted to go he could have told Don and Don would have arranged it since Ilya would have been a free agent anyway. Oh to all of those who ripped up their season tickets: 1) you were stupid 1 guy doesn't make up the team!! 2) you could have given them to me!! Also in the trade maddness Anssi Samela left as well. In return we got a top prospect, a rookie and a d-man!! so we're good!! BYE BYE ILYA! We'll miss ya (NOT)!