Tag Archives: sports

Why Minor League Hockey Is Better Than the NHL

Aeros 4 (Booster)

Last Saturday we went to see the Houston Aeros take on the San Antonio Rampage—two teams in the AHL, professional hockey’s minor league—and I loved … every … minute … of … it!

I used to think I did’t like hockey. It turns out though, that I just don’t like NHL hockey. Growing up, my Czech aunt took me to more than my fair share of LA Kings games. I always enjoyed the experience, but I never really cared about the actual game.

Despite the fact that I attended games regularly and even got to see the Great One play, I never became fan. After the game on Saturday, however, I’m convinced that it’s just the NHL I don’t like and not hockey itself.

My major gripes with NHL hockey games are that

  1. The games are too low scoring. Every game I’ve ever seen to was like 1-0 or 2, 0. I want to see goals!
  2. The NHL has legislated fighting out of the sport. Hockey without fights is just Men’s team figure skating.
  3. I always had trouble following the game. It doesn’t help that at NHL games good seats are so expensive. I can never see the puck from up in the nosebleeds.

Aeros 6 Cropped + Focus

So, how did the Aeros game change my opinion about hockey? The score was 5-3, there were a couple of decent fights, and we sat ten rows behind the goal without breaking the bank.

I don’t care that I don’t know the rules of the game, consider me sold on AHL hockey. I’ll be back for more.

Do you prefer professional or minor league sports? Who’s your favorite team? Sound off in the comments below.

All images are from my flickr, unless otherwise noted.

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The Seven Most Epic Unibrows of All Time

In this edition of Lucky 7s, I tackle the seven unruliest unibrows ever. Read on below to see who made the cut.

1. Anthony Davis

Arkansas-Little Rock v Kentucky
Image via Business Insider.

This past March, I wasn’t so much obsessed with NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as I was with fierce-looking unibrow of University of Kentucky basketball phenom, Anthony Davis. Don’t worry about him though. He’s getting ready to count the millions he’ll be getting when he is drafted into the NBA later this year.

2. Gerald Samson

Gerald Samson
Image via Simpsons Wiki.

Gerald, AKA “The Monobrow”, Samson is the arch-nemesis of Maggie Simpson. How could a baby possibly have any enemies you may ask? She probably didn’t like the way he was looking at her.

3. Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo self portrait
Image via Wikipedia.

I’ll say this for Frida, at least she was honest. She painted how she looked. I mean, if I had her talent as a painter I’d have been tempted to not fill in the space above and to the center of my eyes.

4. The Red Bird

Angry Birds for iPhone
Image via Rovio.

It’s no coincidence that the angriest looking of the Angry Birds is the one with one big, honkin’ eyebrow. Known only as the Red Bird, this avian antagonist flings himself at anything shielding his sworn porcine adversaries.

5. George Harrison

George Harrison
Image via ZTams.

George Harrison was my favorite Beatle not named John or Paul. Amazingly, he also wrote all of the best Beatles’ songs not written by John or Paul. What George lacked in the not being John or Paul department he more than made up for in the having a giant caterpillar over his eyes department.

6. Bert

Bert Smile
Image via Muppet Wiki.

Oh, Bert! He’s the nerdy half of my favorite Sesame Street duo. From his pigeon obsession to his love of checkers and the letter W, everything about him reeks of lameness. Not being able to grow a mustache under his nose he decided to grow one over his eyes instead.

7. Wally Moon

WALLY MOON LOS ANGELES DODGERS 1964
Image via Frank Kelsey’s flickr.

I’d never heard of Wally Moon until I stumbled across this blog post about the worst baseball cards of all time in which Moon’s brows are prominently featured. Wally Moon is to unibrows what Tom Selleck is to mustaches—in a word, epic.

“Eyebrows. There should be two.”

Yes, I know I totally just quoted Miss Congeniality right there. However, truth is truth regardless of the source. Remember—tweezers—they’re not just for splinters.

Am I missing anyone from the list of epic eyebrows? Sound off in the comments below.

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Seven Reasons Mark Cuban Needs to Buy the Dodgers

Mark Cuban guest starred in the episode.

Image via Wikipedia

For the second straight year the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to make the post-season. While it may not bring immediate results, I think the best thing that could happen for the franchise of my youth would be if Mark Cuban were to buy the Blue Crew.

When Cuban burst onto the the professional sports scene I found him obnoxious and boorish. I was convinced that he’d never take his team all the way.

In the decade that’s followed Cuban won me over and his Mavericks are the defending NBA Champions. Now I’m a fan.

In this edition of Lucky Sevens I’d like to present seven reasons why the Dodgers need Mark Cuban to buy them.

Brand Name

How many NBA owners not named Mark Cuban can you name? That’s what I thought. Cuban as a brand is just as well known as his team.

Star Power

There’s no denying Cuban’s in love with the limelight. Truth is, he handles it pretty well. Stints on Dancing with the Stars and Shark Tank have solidified Cuban as not only a sports figure, but as an entertainer as well.

Showtown will embrace Cuban as one of their own.

Free Chalupas at Dodger Stadium

Early in his tenure as Mav’s owner, Cuban routinely gave out Taco Bell chalupas to all ticket-holders who attended a game where they scored 100 or more.

Forget Dodger Dogs, LA’s Angelino community will go crazy over free non-authentic Mexican cuisine.

Deal Maker

Mark Cuban understands the business of professional sports. He’s proven that he can land key talent including future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd.

Just think of what he could do for LA in a year when both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are free agents!

Can Keep Talent

In order to build championship calibre teams, the Dodgers need to keep existing Dodgers’ stars Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, and Clayton Kershaw.

After his 2006 NBA Finals collapse, many sports pundits thought Dirk Nowitzki needed to leave Dallas in order to have success again. Cuban managed to keep Nowitzki and both have been vindicated during the most recent NBA Finals.

Can Work with a Difficult Commissioner

After dealing with the Angel of Stern for the last eleven years working with Bud Selig should be like a walk in the park.

Can Win

It’s been over 20 years since LA last won the World Series. I’m not saying it’ll happen overnight, but Mark Cuban can make it happen for the Dodgers.

You can’t argue with hardware. He got close in 2006, but in 2011 Cuban and his Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Dodgers Logo

The Dodgers are arguably the most important professional sports team in America. This is the team of Jackie Robinson and Fernandomania. With Mark Cuban as owner, they can be great again.

Do you think Mark Cuban would be a good ball club owner? Who would do better? Sound off in the comments below.

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