Last chance

You can donate to CFI still tomorrow by going to Jerah's charity sale. It is across our parking lot next to Stacey's. Great stuff for a great cause.

Stars Tickets Still Available $6

We still have $6 tickets available for 2 Iowa Stars Games.

• Saturday, March 29th
  
• Friday, April 4th (all proceeds to CFI)

No food is included, but a very INEXPENSIVE ticket for some great entertainment. Only 5 Home games remain! Last chance to see some hockey.

Bid for Jerseys

The Iowa Stars will be wearing specially designed jerseys during warm ups on April 4th. These jerseys are being auctioned off BEFORE this game. The winning bidder will get the jersey after warm ups and will be able wear it during the game. After the game, you will be able to get your picture with the player who's jersey you won.

Visit http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdsmapprentice to bid on any of these jerseys. We helped provide these jerseys as we know all proceeds go directly to CFI.

Thanks & good luck!

Charlie Joseph Ford

A huge congrats from the Alien Family to Tony & Tam Ford on the birth of their first baby!

Charlie Joseph Ford was born on 3.21.08. At a whopping 21.5 inches long, and 10 pounds 2 ounces
the Alien Hockey C Team have drafted his rights as a future center.

A strange birthmark in the shape of a Black Hawk can be seen on his left leg. As you can also see, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth but rather a Vapor XXXX stick at his side. Tony noticed that he entered this world with hockey gloves on, but little Charlie Joseph quickly removed one of theese and uttered his first words "I'll protect you Toppy!"

Tony being the great husband & father decided to pass on a Vegas Team spot and also take a break from the Summer league to be with his wife and new child. Congrats again Tony!

(even though he was born a day after my birthday, it wasn't necessary to give him my name...but thanks!)

1 Week and Counting

Our Vegas Team leaves next Wednesday afternoon for the big event. Although this is serious business, we are making sure we leave some time for fun events.

Our captain, Adam Lowell, has set curfews, team dinners & off-ice conditioning for all team members to keep us focused.

The team has already had its share of player concerns. Nathan Brand went down went he slipped and fell hurting his ribs. This was done while on land with no skates...we worry since ice is much more slippery. Star Center , Chris LeFleur goes down during a regular season game with a dislocated shoulder. After much rehab and a pitcher of Miller Lite, he regained his composure and is back on track. The most shocking of all involves highly touted 2nd round pick, Patrick McElyea. With the World Spelling Bee Grand Championships being held the same week as the Vegas trip, it was a long shot that McElyea would even be a qualifier so he made his Vegas plans. However, after nailing m-y-c-e-t-i-s-m-u-s, which means a type of mushroom poisoning, Patrick guaranteed himself a spot to the "Leaders Of Spelling Entire Rhetoric" (L.O.S.E.R) contest in Taiwan. His deceptive slowness will be greatly missed.

This loss brings a new addition to the Vegas Team. Waiting in the wings for the last several months as the first alternate, Dan Bishop gets his wish and joins the highly coveted Alien Vegas Team. Known to most as simply "Bishop", he brings much to the table in place of McElyea. I could describe his play, but Wikipedia does it so well when describing the bishop's moves in chess:
The bishop has no restrictions in distance for each move, but is limited to diagonal movement. Bishops cannot jump over other pieces. A bishop captures by occupying the square on which an enemy piece sits.

Bishop will wear the Alien Jersey, hat & sweater proudly and we expect nothing but the best from this new addition.

Caffeine is King!

It seems as though many sports news stories you hear are regarding some form of banned substances. Whether its Bonds on steroids or Clemens on HGH, the controversy revolves around eliminating uses of foreign substances that enhance performance.

I believe the adult league needs to really take a close look at caffeine.

With the Coca Cola/Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo team being crowned Boulevard Keg Champs of the C League yesterday & the D League Champs Cup O' Kryptonite winning the Trainer's Trophy last Sunday, we first admire their championship run, then question their nutritional intake.

What is the common bond between these 2 teams? Team chemistry? Strong Defense? Great Goaltending? I think its more of what runs through their body....a bitter white crystalline alkaloid, C₈H₁₀N₄O₂, usually derived from coffee or tea: used in medicine chiefly as a nervous system stimulant.

Its ironic that a soft drink sponsored team and a team run by a coffee shop owner take the championship in their respective leagues. After all, at the start of the season, Coke/YDD captain Matt Whitaker could be seen falling asleep on the bench, then all of a sudden...quickness, agility, responsiveness? Yes, a player can get better naturally, but we're talking about Whitaker. Next, you have Richter & Zorich of Kryptonite. I think they each logged 57 minutes per game and they moved like lightning. Take a closer look at their jerseys and you will see brown stains just under their chin. You may think a lack of hygiene, I think espresso residue.

What does this all mean? Should their be an *asterisk next to their names on the trophy? Should there be future testing and possible bans? Tough questions to ask in the off-season, but ones that can't be overlooked.

If nothing does change, and no restrictions are put in place, beware of the Alien Hockey/Red Bull Squad coming to a league near you!

Des Moines Ice Farmers ???

With the possibility of a new name for the Iowa Stars, the conversation arises with what should they be called. Many think the name should be "connected" in some way with either Des Moines or Iowa. Others just want an original cool name. Either way, I want to hear your suggestions.

Post your comments on this blog entry for others to see. Then maybe we'll put up a poll question with the top picks and vote.

Don't take my picks...
Iowa Aliens
Iowa E-85s
Iowa Corn Dogs
Des Moines Hawkeyes (boo)
Iowa Coca Cola / Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo

Lets hear what you got!

Saturday, March 22nd at Plaza Pub

Team Tony party at Plaza Pub
Saturday, March 22^nd come have some fun at Plaza Pub on Douglas, south of Merle Hay Mall. Your $10 donation at the door will all be donated to CFI...and that will get you a wrist band for free beer and wells from 7-9pm. The band Split Second will be playing from 8-1am. So come out for with your friends and support a great charity and some great music!!

Calling all adults. Cant's beat the above deal if you tried. Come out and support Tony, a great cause & your bad habits.

Hockey & Lingerie???

Guys,
Its been a long grueling hockey season. You've played in league, pay & plays, stick & pucks, public skates, etc. You've spent alot of time & money on this great sport. Your significant other may have paid the price as well. Not seeing very much of you and being a "hockey widow" is not what they like. Here is your chance to redeem yourself.

Jerah Gallinger is hosting a fundraiser for CFI on Saturday, March 29th selling bras & lingerie. Stacey Bra & Lingerie located in our same complex (Governor Square) has donated items for this great sale. It will be held next to Stacey (just across the parking lot from us).

You can buy your loved one something for them to enjoy...or they can check out the items while you slide on over to Alien Hockey and do some of your own browsing..either way its a win-win.

Hockey playing females, you too can treat yourself to some nice items as well.

Remember, its for a great cause (and possibly will get you some brownie points for more hockey time)

Here is a link to the flier.
http://www.alienhockey.com/Lingerie%20n%20More%20Charity%20Sale.pdf

Want to Promote Your Business for a Cause?

The Final Round of the Apprentice Competition is on April 4th. The final contest has the contestants raising money for CFI (Children & Families of Iowa). Jerah Gallinger is creating jerseys that will be worn by the Iowa Stars players during warm ups of that game. The jerseys will then be auctioned off after the game with the proceeds going to CFI. I am helping him get these jerseys at wholesale costs in order to maximize the profits for CFI.

Here is where you can help as well. We are offering (3) businesses the opportunity to place their logo on the back tail of the jersey. A donation of $300 will get you one of these 3 spots. This will help cover the jersey & printing costs and allow 100% of proceeds from the auction to go to CFI. If your business or your employer would be interested in sponsoring, please contact me.

Thanks you for your support.

Remember, we also have $6 tickets to that game for sale.

Supporting a AAA Program

The local youth hockey kids are looking to fund their way to a AAA hockey program. They are hosting a golf outing as a fundraiser to make that happen.

Here is a link to their flier.
http://www.alienhockey.com/aaagolfflyer.pdf

So if you like hockey, like to golf or want to help support a AAA hockey program to show that Des Moines, IA CAN be a powerhouse when it comes to hockey, contact them.

Watch Hockey & Help a Cause....Cheap!

The Iowa Stars Apprentice contest is down to the final round. Jerah Gallinger & Tony Dressen are both looking to raise money for Children & Families of Iowa as their last event.

Alien Hockey is helping both contestants in some capacity to help this great cause. Team Tony has started a website seen at www.tonydressen.com.

Jerah Gallinger Info can be seen at his MySpace page.

Team Tony has given me tickets to sell for the April 4th Stars game. Tickets are ONLY $6 and it the last weekend game of the season. Come out for a final hurrah, enjoy a game & support a great cause. 100% of the ticket sales goes to CFI. No part goes to us, Tony or the Iowa Stars.

You can donate more if you would like and we will have 2 containers for collections at our shop.

Thanks for your support.

Lefty? Need a Stick? Pro Style?

Calling all left handed players.

We had an opportunity to acquire some Pro Model Sticks. These are brand new Pro Sticks & Top of the line models, and they are left handed. They include the Bauer Vapor XXXX, Easton Synergy Elite SE & Warrior Dolomite.

Special pricing of $150 is being offered on these Elite Sticks. Compare that to $175-$190 online with shipping.

We have 3 here currently, with a few more available. They are all similar to an Easton Draper pattern.

Won't last long, so stop in or call if you want one on hold!

Championship on the Line

The Wednesday League Champs have been crowned and Team Legends awaits the winner of today's match up.

"I'd rather see Waste Management in the Championships" stated Anderson of Legends. "They beat me in the semi-finals as I tended net for Don's, so I want revenge!"

The underdog team of Waste Management edged out Don's last week but will not move on as I have predicted in my earlier blog entry.

Sunday D League
After a great turnout for the Alien Hockey Adult Clinic at Wells Fargo yesterday, the 4 D league teams are ready to implement their new skills and strategy.

Alien Hockey Vs. B & B
The trash talk was flying yesterday at the Stars Game. "No reason to show up to the game!" yelled Natalia of Alien to her nemesis Brian Hobbs of B & B. They sat a few rows apart at the game last night, which was a good thing for both parties. "I'm not 100%, but I'll suit up for this game just to show those B & B players some things" exclaimed Natalia. "Anyway, what does B & B stand for again? Babies & Beginners?" The B & B teammates had to hold Hobbs back. "He was ready to jump over an elderly grandmother to get to Alien's coach" stated Faust of B & B. "She's lucky we held him back." Although the Alien team brings the better record, the B & B crew have the momentum. B & B by 2.

Cup O Kryptonite Vs. 11 to 7 Insurance
The 3rd ever championship game if the Novice League is on the line. Two very strong teams come together in what will be a great game. "I respect Johnson and his team. They have done a fine job with their players and I hope to share a beverage with him after the game" mentioned Green of 11 to 7. Captain Johnson of Cup responded "That Green is alright. He is a swell guy & human being. I like to eat cereal on my back porch." Great point Matt! The key to this game will be great positioning, quick changes & shutting down the top scorers. Although Cup has a bit more firepower, I like 11 to 7 in a close one here to win the "Trainer's Cup" by 1.

Good Luck to All!

And Then There Were 4.

Only 4 teams remain in the Quest for the coveted C League Boulevard Keg. The Wednesday night league has their championship game tomorrow and it matches up Legends Vs. Alien Mike. Our last poll survey had this as one of the top choices for a final game. Alien Mike has always shown flashes of greatness throughout the season and took their #6 seed and went on to beat Bearings & Alien Joe to get to the finals. Legends has always been strong throughout the season behind the solid goaltending of Davis. I predict a game that will likely be close. Each team will look to make no mistakes and try to get on the board early. I like Legends consistency, but I also like Alien Mike's unpredictability. Although the score will be close and it will be a defensive, low scoring affair, I take Alien Mike by 1.

Sunday pits Coca Cola/ Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo versus Waste Management. In an amazing win over the always feared Don's Auto, Waste Management looks to show no mercy on their future opponents. With a team loaded with firepower, Waste Management just needs to turn it on all at the same time. Each player will need to step up big to carry this momentum any further. A team like Coke/YDD is very strong offensively & defensively. Team chemistry is the strength of this group and they have only gotten better. Although momentum may look to be in Waste's favor, I feel 2 games in a row of upsets is a bit much. Coke/YDD experience will be too much too handle as Coke/YDD wins by 3.

The Final game that will pit the 2 league champs will be held on Wednesday, March 19th at 8:15 PM at MISF. Good Luck to all.

Oh, I guess there are consolation games going on as well. I will not bore your with details as these 4 teams stink and are playing for pride (and ice time & beer after the game).
Alien Joe by 2 over Irwins
Slapshot by 1 over Don's Auto

Props to His Peeps.

Team Captain of Alien Mike (pictured above sporting hs new "Thug Life" tattoo) wanted everyone to know he has officially changed his name to "Sir Shoot-A-Lot". Teammate Wheeler who messed up and had "Bug's Life" tattooed accross his back said, "as long as the captain can keep them lower than the cross bar, we may be ok".

Fellow forward Mike Kielty changed his name as well and shall now be called "Sir Never-A-Pass".

Quest for the Keg

Its what we play for. Sore backs, pulled groins, late nights & early Thursday mornings, but its all worth it for a chance at the Boulevard Keg.

This Wednesday, 4 Teams remain and will attempt to move on. On Sunday, 4 teams also remain. Who will win? I'll keep the predictions short and accurate.

Alien Joe Vs. Alien Mike
Always a great match up with 2 games during the regular season going into a shoot out. Over a few beverages just last Friday, Captain Mike Dylo stated with confidence, "We will not lose this game and I WILL score 4 goals." Captain Joe, with a few less beverages in him replied, "I guarantee you will not score 1 goal." Its a game of brother against brother, but even Mike's mom is cheering for me. Alien Joe by 2

Legends Vs. Irwins
The Cinderella Story of Irwins continues. A new focus & determination has Irwin's primed for a great game. Dave Brown has been remarkable, but will need the game of his life against the ever unstoppable Greg Davis. With no weaknesses, Legends brings a balanced attack. The upset continues this week as the grueling season wears on Davis and Irwins brings down the hammer. Irwins by 1.

Coke/YDD Vs. Slapshot
Almost as good a first round bye, Coke/YDD should have no trouble advancing in the Sunday session. Although Slapshot has shown signs of greatness, the consistency of the caffeine drinking, inked players of Coke/YDD should move on in convincing fashion. Coke/YDD by 6

Don's Auto Vs. Waste Management
Throw the regular season out the window. Its one game at a time. That's the vision of Team WM. Don's Auto is never counted out, but an over confident team may feel this night is just a formality. I have 2 predictions for this one due to the game being at 10 PM.
1) Waste Management by 2 (if Hutton, Heckman & White all show)
2) Don's Auto by 3 (if even 1 of the above names is missing)

New Stick & Pucks Added at Bucs

A Stick & Puck has been added to the Bucs Arena. It will run on Tuesdays from 5:45 - 6:45 PM starting March 11th and runs all spring/summer.

Cost will be $15/per family.

Contact Scott Long at Bucs Arena for more info.

Spread the Word.

Great Season Finale!

After finishing the season with a record of 3-12 and taking 5th place (6th place was 2-12-1), we moved on to the playoffs with our 8 & Under Mite Team.

Playing the #2 seed in the first game ended in a 3-3 tie. Playing the #3 seed in the second game ended in a 1-1 tie.

This got us a chance to play for 3rd Place overall and in convincing fashion, our kids won 4-1 beating the #4 seed.

The #2 Seeded Ducks went on to win the Championship (who we tied 1-1). Overall, Mark & I had a blast and the kids we had did what we asked. Play hard, don't give up & encourage your teammates. We were overly proud of a group of 5, 6, 7 & 8 year olds that played for the right reasons and had parents who supported this as well. Thanks Mite Stars!