Columbus = CONQUERED.

I can find few words to describe last night's "Columbus Invasion." Pens fans completely took over the City.



At times, the "Lets Go Pens" chants were deafening - in a visiting arena. I think I probably gave out about 300 high fives. A drunk guy picked me up, threw me over his shoulder, and danced on the side walk. I met the excellent Adam & Derek - authors of The Pensblog. I lost my voice. And much more...



All in all - incredible night. Not to mention, the Pens absolute drubbing of the Blue Jackets, who just last week, were fighting Detroit for the #1 spot in the Western Conference.

This was my second time heading to Columbus for a Pens game - and once again, it was an absolutely incredible time. Times like these make me even more proud to be not only a Pens fan, but a hockey fan.



The Pens have won 9 in a row... not to mention going 11-0-1 over their past 12 games. As the always entertaining Paul Bissonette would say, "BOOM." Lets Go Pens!

ACHA-blog - Boston University Club Hockey

Most hockey fans have no idea what the ACHA is, and probably couldn't care less. When it all boils down to it - the ACHA is the league for club hockey in the United States. Schools like the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Texas, Boston College, and of course... the University of Kentucky - all have hockey teams that compete under the ACHA umbrella. The ACHA has three divisions, conferences, and crowns National champions (one in every division) every year.

Because of my not so secret love for hockey in un-traditional markets, I kind of love the ACHA, because for a lot of college students, the ACHA brings hockey to those markets. But the ACHA doesn't just operate in un-traditional markets... the ACHA brings hockey to colleges all over the Country, even those with decorated Varsity programs.

That brings us to Boston University....

This weekend BU came down to Lexington (They flew!) to play UK. (I had been looking forward to these games since I saw the schedule this past summer.) I somehow came across a video about their team on YouTube which talks about their quest to become affiliated with their University. Upon further research, it seems that BU has some rule that says that a club team won't be recognized by the University if they have a varsity team of the same sport. (BU has a varsity hockey team - a very good one at that - 2009 National Champions good.) Because of this - the BU club hockey team has no official recognition from the school. Because they don't have official recognition from the school - they can't join the ACHA (among other things). They can't compete for National Championships, they're listed as a "Non-ACHA school" on ACHA schools' calendars on the ACHA website.



Pretty much -- it sucks for them.

Schools like Boston College, Bowling Green, Ohio State - all have varsity hockey programs AND club hockey programs.

While I spent my weekend heckling the BU players, I have nothing but respect for that team. They flew to Lexington to play two games in the middle of the night against UK, and they were two great games. I wish that the officials at Boston University who are in charge of these decisions would take the time to check out this team and give them a chance for affiliation. They played two great games and represented their University with class. What more could a school ask for?

While it's very likely that I will never see the BU club hockey team play again, I hope someday in the near future I'll be able to read about Boston University officially recognizing their team. They most certainly deserve it.

Sometimes words seem awfully futile - RIP Taylor Vit

I haven't posted since January. That was awhile ago. I mean... Luca Caputi was still a Penguin back then...

I've talked before about how much I love the University of Kentucky's hockey team. When I first came to Kentucky, I missed Pennsylvania, and one of the things I missed most about home was hockey. From my first trip to a UK hockey game, I was hooked. It reminded me of home, it was comforting to be around something familiar, to be around hockey... the smell of the ice, the fans, the sport. I've been going to their games for three years now, and with every game at midnight, I've grown to love the organization and even the sport of hockey even more.

On Sunday night, UK hockey player Taylor Vit was involved in a serious car accident, and yesterday, he lost his life. I've watched Taylor play for three years now... and watched him play in his last game on Saturday night. He was one of the best.

I didn't know Taylor personally, and I can only begin to understand how big of a loss this is. All those involved in this sport we love know that hockey is a family. The players, coaches, fans... it's a family. Especially in the South, where finding hockey is a little more difficult. I've never been involved in UK's hockey team as anything more than a fan, but UK's hockey team means a lot to me, and I grieve with them in this tragic loss.

I can only imagine what Taylor's friends, family and teammates are going through right now... it seems like anything I could say right now in no way could offer any comfort.

But to the UK hockey team, as a very awesome London Knights' season ticket holder once told me, "...Keep your head up and your stick on the ice," and know that all of us fans are pulling for you, and will be there to cheer you on.



We won't forget you #14.

My most heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Vit family, as well as Taylor's friends, and teammates. God Bless.