Exclaim! presents The Cross-Check: the Official Hockey Association of the Arts National Newsletter



Vol. 1 Issue 4: February 2006



Contents



I. From The Desk Next To The Desk of Tom Goodwin

II. From The Desk of Tom Goodwin

III. Cross-Canada Cross-Check: team updates

IV. HAA Player Profile: Jim Bryson, Ottawa Songbird Millionaires

V. Carelton Cup Review by Kim Temple



I. From the Desk Next To The Desk Of Tom Goodwin…



A busy man at the best of times, HAA Commissioner Tom Goodwin has been burning the midnight oil /and/ both ends of the candle of late in preparation for both the GTHLA playoffs and the fast-approaching eighth installment of the annual Exclaim! Hockey Summit of the Arts. Better known to some as the greatest recreational hockey tournament on the planet, this year's Summit is shaping up as the best one ever and is expected to see between 24 and 28 artist-oriented teams from across the country converge on the rinks and stages of Toronto in pursuit of goals, good times, and glory.



As the tournament is tethered to the so-called Easter Weekend, this year's event will take place from Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April

16. Given the later than usual date, it remains too early in the registration process to make any official announcements as to which teams will be participating (but suffice it to say more than a few classic rivalries will be renewed). I have, however, managed to glean some details from snippets of Mr. Goodwin's impassioned phone conversations as he perseveres to lock down the lug nuts on what promises to be yet another magnificent vehicle.



Most of this year's games will again be contested on the ice surfaces of McCormick and De La Salle arenas. The Hootenanny, however, will take place at the venerable and spacious Bloor Street rock emporium, Lee's Palace. Sunday’s wind-up, meanwhile, has us all back at the Gladstone Hotel. What's more, the tourney will see its arts quotient increased exponentially as teams will be obligated to contribute to a rich mosaic of hitherto unrealized visual, literary and performance splendour, transforming Summit rinks into veritable galleries of creative expression.



So there you have it. Be sure to check out the dramatically revamped Summit web site (which ought to be launching any day now) for all the latest details on the event that has deposed countless birthdays, anniversaries and religious observances as /the/ calendar highlight for just about anyone who has had the good fortune to be part of it. Until then, good health, good luck and long may you skate.



Chuck Molgat



II. From The Desk of Tom Goodwin

Hey Folks,



Thanks to Chuck for covering the big points and thanks to Grant for continuing to put this great newsletter together. I just want to add a few Hockey Association of the Arts highlights we’ve had since the last newsletter. We had our inaugural Le Puck Quebecoise a Montreal la dernier Novembre and the inaugural CCCP (Canada-NYC Challenge of Central Park) in New York City. Both were fantastic. The Ottawa Carleton Cup outdoor hockey portion struggled a bit with difficult weather, but it didn’t affect the spirit at all when everyone decided to take their skates off and just play ball hockey instead. It certainly is a thrill to see our community grow. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Eighth Annual Exclaim! Hockey Summit of the Arts in April.



All the Best,

Tom Goodwin



III. Cross Canada Cross-Check: An update on the teams of the E!HAA…



3 Gut Feelings (Guelph ON):



HOCKEY, BABY!

The Guelph 3 Gut Feelings are pleased to announce the birth of Eva Gammage Cantelon, born Monday, January 16th, and weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 ounces to proud parents Angie Gammage (#11 - assistant captain on D) and Shawn Cantelon (#7 - 3 Gut's top scorer), Eva has already been handed over to the 3 Gut training camp and will be strapping on skates in no time. (Let's see, 9 months ago was...The Summit 2005. You do the math.) Congratulations, Shawn and Angie! Let's hear it for in-house farm teams!







Vish Khanna's band, Nathan Coles Outfit is having fun these days, playing shows throughout Ontario and Quebec in Feb/March. They've almost sold out of their acclaimed debut record, "Twleve Upheavals That Brought The Redwoods To Flight" and are a late addition to Canadian Music Week. check www.nathancolesoutfit.com for more info.



Black Hearts (Toronto):



Angie Gammage (Guelph 3 Gut Feelings) has given birth to a brand new baby and a brand new team called The Black Hearts. This is the GTHLA's first all-girl team, full of kick-ass rock 'n' rollers of varying skill levels. The team showcases talent from the Guelph 3 Gut Feelings, Peterborough Pneumonia, Montreal Deadly Ninjas, Dufferin Groove, and The Fruit, while encouraging new recruits and up-and-comers to get involved in the league. Black Hearts debuted as an exhibition team the night of the league's No-Star game in November 2005, making a splash with an impressive 4-3 loss vs. the wily veteran Voyageurs. The league has welcomed this much-needed dose of testrogen with open arms and will be scheduling exhibition games vs. the Black Hearts in 2006. The team's motto: "We're the Black Hearts - We love you!" League teams are encouraged to scout players from the Black Hearts for their roster, as has already been done by the Winnipeg Wheatfield Souldiers and the Parkdale Hockey Lads.







Boom (Toronto):



Rumours of Boom’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. After a summer of soul searching, chief Boomer, Pete Gaffney, came to the realization that the Boom way is the only way. You can’t extinguish a Bovine fire with Gasoline. A Boom by any other name is still a Boom. Why fix it if it ain’t broke? The club is winding down an undistinguished exhibition season and plans to peak just as the Easter Bunny arrives.



Resident Boom clown, Derek Scott is off to Moscow for a couple of weeks of performance and to hone his Rooskie dipsy-doodle in prep for the Exclaim. Boom’s all-star blue-liner, Matty Stark, is working as the Boom operator on Chris “Cheeseman” Boulton’s Rent-a-Goalie series for Showcase Television, where incidentally, Boom’s white jerseys will be sported in the on ice scenes.



The rumour mill hints that at this year’s tourney we may see a return of power forward and radio personality Brother Bill to the Boom line-up. The Brother has been invading the airwaves on the West Coast for the past couple of seasons and the Boom fraternity welcomes his crushing and victorious return.



And on a disappointing but nonetheless celebratory note, all star Boom forward and all 'round mucker, Anton Davey, will have to pass on this year's Exclaim. Seems the tournament conflicts with his running in the Boston Marathon. Good luck Anton.

See you all in April. Keep it on the ice.



The Ferries (Halifax-Dartmouth NS):



A Ferry Can Dream By Spencer Cadarian for Sports Illustriated and Melody Marker



Members of the Halifax - Dartmouth Ferries squad, including Andy Dunn, Hugh MacSween, Terry Cjernak, Pete Ross and Steve Rolston have been spotted honing skills with a group of media hounds and TV types at an often fast-paced Monday night Halifax Metro Centre pick up game. "The pace and competition are good and we've been clicking together well," says Rolston, frontman for Halifax wash-ups, King Konqueror. "It's helped me realize that, not only will we be a better team because of this, but that my true calling isn't rock n roll, it's hockey. I'm banking on breaking into the pro ranks next year. Shit man, I'm Sidney Crosby, bitch," exclaimed the stay at home defenceman. "I mean, getting nominated for an East Coast Music Award, fuck that pussy-ass shit, Dave Marsh and Chris Murphy can have that glory. My life is now hockey". And Chris Murphy is now a host on CBC Radio 3 on Sirius satellite radio.



King Konqueror is reported to have just wrapped up a 12 song recording session with producer, Laurence Currie. "Is that what he was doing there? Recording us?" chimed Rolston, "Well I guess we'll have to see what happens with that, as long as it doesn't take too much of my focus away from hockey". Rolston has also joined forces with El Torpedo rockers, Matt Mays and Timjim Baker, calling themselves The Dartmouth Allstar Reggae Soundsystem and spinning heavy reggae vibes every Thursday at Tribeca Bistro and Bar. "It's been going very well," says Tribeca owner and Ferries' sniper, Paul Boudreau, "Rolly does some toasting on the mic and the boys play a nice mix of roots, dub, dj-style, rocksteady and old ska. The place gets hopping, the bass gets asses shaking, and the boys get drunk and have a good time". "Oh yeah it's been a hoot", Says Rolston, "Ladies, beer, dancing ninjas, puffing a little ganja and playing reggae all night. It should only compliment my hockey career and we plan to get Andy Dunn to help out when the El Torpedo boys are touring. Hugh MacSween likes reggae, ladies and ganja too, so we'll see him there lots I'm sure. There should be a strong Ferries influence, like for sure".



When asked to comment on Rolston's dreams of a pro hockey career MacSween was surprised and amused, "Heh heh. Hockey career? Get off the pot, Steve. I think he'd have to learn how to shoot the puck harder and at the very least he'd have to learn how to stick handle, oh and skate better of course, like turn and stop both ways. That boy's been dreaming since he won our hockey pool by fluke four years ago.". This reporter agrees; don't ever put all of your eggs in one basket, #77. Dancing ninjas? Get off the pot indeed.



The Fluid Living Arseholes (Toronto):



We have been invited to play in this year's international tournament in Dubai which takes place from April 11 -14th. Teams from hardcore hockey meccas such as Tokyo, Bangkok, Shangai will be in attendance. The tourney is being hosted by the Dubai Mighty Camels (Sports Net feature & was featured as part of the CBC documentary “Hockey Nomad” by Dave Bidini). We also have a friendly scheduled with the Abhu Dabi National team and there will be a team featuring European NHL legends playing some exhibition games as well. Our goalie John May, a television producer, has coerced a film crew to shoot footage for a documentary...will keep you posted.



There is not a lot of info up on the site yet, but the site for the tourney is found under dubaimightycamels.com



The Fruit (Toronto):



2006 kicked off with a roar for Evil Doers with a live radio spot on CKLN 88.1, on February 3rd followed by a Second Anniversary Party at the Horseshoe Tavern on Saturday February 4th. Look for an East Coast tour in early spring, a journey to the mecca of Rock n' Roll, LA in June and a brand new record this summer, all part of the Rock n' Roll Take Over! For more info, merchandise and other fun things, go to www.evildoersmuisc.net or visit us on myspace @ www.myspace.com/evildoersrock



Flying Vees (Vancouver):



For their third year at the tournament, the Flying Vees are happy to welcome to new players to the roster: Glenn D’Cruze, the man behind a beautiful new band called the North Atlantic Explorers, and Kamloops’ own Billy Bones, lead singer of Raised By Wolves, and owner of the Sparrow Guitar company. He’s looking to sponsor some bands with the excellent guitars they make, so if you’re interested, get in touch with Billy at info@sparrowguitars.com.







In other roster news, winger Kristian Olsen just got back from the Antarctica, filming a documentary on renegade environmentalist Paul Watson as he attempted to disrupt the annual Japanese whale hunt. Absolutely wild, ship-ramming chaos ensued. Ask Kristian about it at the tourney.



You can hear goalie Grant Lawrence spouting off about music and hockey on various CBC Radio 3 shows, including the weekly podcast, the Saturday night show on CBC Radio Two in Canada, and on Sirius satellite radio.



Humiliation (Toronto nee Victoria):



Toronto experienced an unprecedented spike in laundry detergent consumption as a result of the great Lads/Humiliation sweater swap that occurred Sat. Jan. 14. After exchanging jerseys and skating around giggling at the image of the other team being your team, the Orange squad, once again, reigned victorious.



Speaking of the Orange squad – Let it be known from this point forward: The Victoria Humiliation shall now be known as The Humiliation. Goodbye Victoria. The Garden City has been very good to us but it's time to become a more global phenomenon, leaving Victoria to those who live there.



On a more personal note, Teige Reid (the guy in the Home Hardware commercial with the circular saw) is the proud new father of baby Ciara. It seems his wife Siobhån Dungan played a significant role in this as well.



Luke Moretti and Graham Duncan were proud to represent the Creamsicle Tide in the New York City vs Canada tournament on Jan. 7th. It was a spectacular day playing hockey outside in Central Park within sight of 110th Street.



Morningstars (Toronto):



The Morningstars refused to send in an update after learning Boom has returned to the tournament.



Nightmares (Toronto):



The Nightmares recently celebrated their first penalty-free game. After much self-congratuling and carrying on at the teams secret headquarters, things took a turn towards the ugly. A monster brawl broke out between members of the defence (including goalies)and some overly vocal forwards. Eyewitnesses close to the team reported that things got way out of hand after Eric Grauer and Michael McGuire teamed up to put a serious beating on members of the infamous Dean line. Through the din of furniture breaking over skulls, a young prospect from the Nightmares farm system said he heard someone saying, "You forwards get all the goals, all the money, and all the tail!"



In other news, Nightmare Andrew Scott and his band Sloan played two concerts with the Rolling Stones in Boston. On his day off, he saw the Bruins versus the Dallas Stars. Who cares who won? It was an honour just to call Nightmare Captain and Coach Mike Belitsky from the Boston Gardens.



Recently, the Nightmares lost an exhibition game to the reigning world-champion Canadian National Freestanding Amputee Hockey Team [coached by Nightmare goalie Jamie McGuire]. The game was covered by TSN's "That's Hockey!"



Ninja Tune Wicked Deadly Karate Chops (Montreal):



Since last update the debut of splinter tournament Le Puck Quebecois went off without a hitch here in Montreal over Nov 12/13th. Victoria, Guelph, Ottawa, NY, Peterborough, Dufferin, and ourselves squared off for the coveted totem of Fleur De Lys glory. After a round of qualifying and numbers tallying Ottawa & Peterborough moved into the finals, while Guelph & Dufferin battled for 3rd place bragging rights.



Dufferin triumphed over Guelph in a 8-4 win. What started as a fairly lop-sided game with Dufferin taking control, ended with Guelph shaking

off some really bad hang-overs (trust me I know, I was drafted in to play defense) and mounting a decent 3rd period run on the board.



After local one man band karaoke sensation The World Provider opened proceedings with a hot whistled rendition of the national anthem Ottawa & Peterborough faced off in the finals. A tight game all the way opened up in the last minutes with Peterborough jumping ahead by two to claim a 7-5 win.



Congrats go to Nathan McCunn from Ottawa for being point leader at the tournament with an impressive 17 points over 3 games.



More details can be found at : www.ninjahockey.ca



Thanks to Dave Bidini for kicking it all off with a book reading on the Thursday prior.



Parkdale Hockey Lads (Parkdale ON):



As we hit mid-season, Parkdales finest find themselve in the middle of their best season ever! The Lads currently sit in third place in the Zed Division of the GTHLA with a team best of 10.5 points. The D is kinda doing its job and as of this writing, the team actually leads the league in scoring. This season's success recently saw the Lads beat their long time rival Humilation 7-3 in the first ever Exclaim! hockey jersey swap game where the VH's wore the Lad bleu, blanc et rouge while the Lads slipped into the dreaded orange jerseys of the current Summit champs. It was weird, with the first couple of shifts having passes turn into giveaways as players looked for someone in the familiar colours. Apparently Moretti cheered when The Lads opened the scoring, thinking it was his team that had tallied... or maybe it was just the booze talking... Good times.



The Lads’ Junior development program recently took another shot in the arm with the news that #22 Bobby Pipe is expecting another ankle biter, (or is that ankle burner?) and #4 Mike Frolick and his lovely Zamboni driving wife Jen welcomed little Molly into the world on January 19th. Mom and baby are both doing great, while Mike hopes that Molly dosen't inherit daddy's penchant for ill-advised end to end rushes.



January also saw The Lads #44 Nick Hehn and #1 Luis Freitas represent Parkdale in the NYC CCUP tourney in Central Park. The weekend culminated with Nick and Luis playing in the Canada VS USA All-Star game on the Sunday (a 6-3 Canada win). They then hopped in the car and drove back to Toronto in time for Nick to play pick-up in the evening. That's two games in two countries, in one day. Nice one Nicky!





Trump even owns the zambonis in NYC!!



Finally, if any teams need t-shirts for the tourney, Nick and Tommy can screenprint them for you. Just email tommy at tommygnumber70@yahoo.ca or Nick bozonaut@yahoo.ca and we can negotiate a fair price- sooner than later please!



See you all at the summit!

Oi Oi Lads!



Porcupines (Parkdale ON):



Da Pines' are very happy to announce team captain, Boom Boom Geoff McPeek and wife Lisa had a baby girl (Sophia) in December. Well done Porcupine Geoff! The Junior Porcupine ranks are indeed expanding. Fellow 'Pines Lorne has put out a call to our Exclaim! GTHLA chapter with the hope of developing a junior Exclaim! team in the future. If there is enough interest it is proposed we have an exhibition game for the youngin's during the 2006 Exclaim! Cup. There's a post on the Exclaim! message board for anyone who is interested in getting their kids involved with this initiative- http://p206.ezboard.com/fgoodtimeshockeyfrm15.showMessage?topicID=97.topic



Porcupines got off to a great start in our league play this year but have hit a post holiday slide as of late. Some point to the stale water on our bench or the added poundage from gorging ourselves with too many goodies over the holidays (pass the gravy Petey!). It's all good. We're primed up for the end of the season and looking forward to some most excellent series' in the play-offs in the coming months. Most of all, Pines' are psyched for the upcoming 2006 Cup.



Porcupines Rock and Roll notes: Prickly 'Pines Goaler Dean is in the midst of cutting a debut album with his new band Maps Of The Night Sky (featuring sometimes-Soldier Wes Gerbrandt on bass). it's being recorded both at Chemical Sound and at the bands' own Tinshack Studio. They're planning to have it out early-mid spring, with tours to follow. think "ex-circus site camp-outs, in the dark wanderings". Generally not what Dean would put on to get primed to stop pucks. hey... maybe that's what happened during his last Pines' game against the Nightmares (a 10-1 shalacking from those free wheelin' 'Mares no less)... Clothes Make the Man (Porcupines- Adam, Ryan and Scott) have put the final touches on a new CD due to be released February 11th in Ottawa at the Babylon Night Club. They also have a number of shows lined up posted on their website- www.clothesmaketheman.org.



Sgt. Rock (Toronto): Too busy doing laps with the Neilsen Cup to send in an update!!







Songbird Millionaires (Ottawa): The Songbird Millionaires are currently totally flummoxed at attempting to create “hockey art”, a new criteria of this year’s tournament. The team is holding weekly meetings on the subject, chaired by goalie Blake “Hot Piss” Jacobs. It’s not going well. Please see this issue’s Player Profile for more on the Millionaires.



Wheatfield Souldiers (Winnipeg):



Mere points out of the top spot and closing fast on the Flying Burritos, the Wheatfield Souldiers remain focused on repeating as GTHLA Zed

Division champions. The holiday season found several members of the squad back home, praying at the Saint-Boniface grave at Louis Riel for anything other than a first-round playoff meeting with the Peterborough Pneumonia. On the team expansion front, Joey Serlin (along with wife Shereen) recently welcomed a new defense partner, Leo, into the world. Rock-wise, several Souldiers have been active of late, including goalie John Sutton, who just returned from a European tour with All Systems Go, and forward Dave Brown, whose new unit Weave Cleveland continues to threaten beer-sales records across the GTA. Meanwhile, goalie Jordan Stewart's band Crash Kelly is prepping for upcoming opening dates with Alice Cooper by putting in some support gigs with Helix. No joke.





Manitoba meets Manitoba: The Souldiers’ Chuck Molgat meets rock ‘n’ roll legend and Dictators singer Handsome Dick Manitoba in NYC.



V. HAA Player Profile: Jim Bryson



Team: Ottawa Songbird Millionaires

Band: I have a solo career (current album is “The North Side Benches”) and I also play in the Kathleen Edwards band.

Day job: I have somehow (touch wood) managed to play music for almost three years without other employment.

Hometown: Ottawa

Current city of residence: Ottawa (The one who stayed).

Position: Left Wing (However I play center all the time at the Exclaim! Cup. Might help explain our 6 game losing streak going into this year).

Instruments played: Guitar, Piano & Organ, Banjo, Vibraphone and some other things with marginal success

Shoots: Right but on few occasions

Nicknames: Baumer

How old were you when you learned how to skate / play your instrument?: I learned to skate young and learned some piano young but guitar came much later: 18 or 19 I think.

Who taught you?: Mrs. Payne taught us piano, guitar was a hack home job and I learned to skate at the old Stittsville Arena.

Favourite current band: No one band, but I have been pretty attached to Smog lately.

Greatest Hockey Moment: None in particular ‘cause we have never won anything, but I sure like playing with Hinchly and Geddes when we are awake and making passes. (editor’s note: the Songbird Millionaires in fact won every award at last year’s tournament that didn’t specifically involve athletic ability).

Greatest Music Moment: Playing Farm Aid this past summer was amazing.

Best Celebrity Encounter of 2005: Dr. Phil, Willie Nelson.

Your Hockey Hero: Guy Lafleur. He could do it all: skate, score, and smoke. And man alive, that Flower Power was a terrific drink.

Pre-game ritual: Bubble bath.

Your most memorable moments of the Exclaim! Cup: None of them directly involve hockey but playing Europe’s “The Final Countdown” and seeing a packed Horseshoe going nuts was completely awesome. We all agreed we have never had better responses playing our own music. Sad story really. Also doing a "Pyramid" every year is pretty interesting and seeing Josh and Blake and Andy toss Potatoes out in the audience and having them all throw back at us was painfully memorable as well. We have a "hockey last" approach to the weekend.

Your thoughts on the new NHL: I like the new NHL a lot, they just have to stick with it. And I think the shootout is fine, no-ones turns it off when it happens!

One thing you would change with the Exclaim! Cup: It is pretty terrific but if I had to say something I would say I would prefer fewer teams.

Who will win the Stanley Cup this year?: Lisa would kill me if I did not say "The Ottawa Senators" and I would like to see that for sure. Canucks / Senators would look pretty good to me.

VI. The Carleton Cup Review by Kim Temple



CARLETON CUP 2006 - The 17th Annual Ultimate Canadian Triathlon (Skate, Run, Drink) in Ottawa - Saturday, January 28th, 2006.



Historical Note: the Carleton Cup race has been cancelled once (1990; engraved on the trophy as the winner that year is "Global Warming"), and postponed and rescheduled twice (1991 and 2002) due to warm weather. At 48 hours before race time the Rideau Canal has been closed to skaters for a week with daytime temperatures hovering as high as + 7 Celsius.



For those of you who missed it:



FRIDAY night at the MANX: the all-girl Black Hearts hockey club secured the first table in this warm and friendly east village-type pub, followed by the Winnipeg Wheatfield Souldiers, the Guelph 3 Gut Feelings, and the Parkdale Lads. Last but not least, our fearless leader Jon Knowles arrived in a flurry of flashbulbs, all smiles and handshakes, like the King of Kensington. Instant celebrity: this year's surprise guest, his lovely sister Gillian! Brave Little Souldiers: Chuck E. Molgat, Elizabeth and Ferris skated to the pub. The ice was chippy, they admitted, borderline treacherous, with giant crevices and unpredictable soft spots. It was a "skate at your own risk" proposition. There were wipeouts along the way.



THE MIDNIGHT SKATE: (If by midnight you mean 2:00am, and by ice you mean a mushy sheet of goo… Do not attempt if sober.) Still, those who'd brought their skates to the bar were eager to test the waters (literally), with flasks of whiskey in hand. Rough and choppy, and the ice wasn't all that great either. (Some readers may be wondering: why drive all that way to drink, race and play hockey with people you see every weekend anyway? The answer: Because. You've gotta try it to believe it. It's a great Canadian pastime. Feel the love.) GTHLA players started devising a contingency plan, in the event that authorities decided to close the canal. There would be a hardcore, unofficial "synchronize your watches and leave the starting line at 7:00pm sharp" race to the finish line. The fine for skating on a closed canal: approx. $100.



BACK AT THE CAPITAL HILL SUITES: Whiskey-swilling, arm-wrestling and hi-jinx ensued. Remember: What happens at the Cup STAYS at the Cup. Live and die by this rule.



SATURDAY'S HOCKEY: The 4th Annual Carleton Cup Outdoor Hockey Classic turned into a giant No-Star ball hockey jamboree (including teams from Montreal, Peterborough, Ottawa, Parkdale). Multi-ball ball hockey was invented on this day during the 3 Gut vs. Black Hearts game. The sun was shining. Birds were singing. Those white MTL jerseys are hawt!







THE CARLETON CUP: The race was a GO! We gathered at Oliver's pub at Carleton University where pledges for Cystic Fibrosis were handed in and eager first-timers were all a-titter with speculation about who might win this year. The field was wide open, since most people bailed thinking the canal would be closed. Last year's contenders: Murphy (reigning champ) was in Spain, Fil Freitas was doing a leisure skate with his girlfriend, Bob made Tanya stop for beavertails and beer, and so, of course, some serious athlete boy and girl beat everyone (boo!). Nonetheless, Tanya Hobbs (3 Gut / Black Hearts) still pulled off an impressive second place finish. Nice!



CUP NOSTALGIA: I'm happy to report the Lafayette (original Cup Finish Line, 1989 - 2003) is just as sketchy as always. Pindy and I watched the Leafs vs. Habs there while drinking giant bottles of 50. No one got stabbed.



THE FINISH LINE: Meanwhile, over at the Thirsty Scholar, racers rolled in, GALORE rocked the house, and we the Black Hearts debuted our killer all-girl (well, and Luis of the Parkdale Hockey Lads) band. Kevin Hilliard nominated us for the Best Song Selection award.







BACK by popular demand: The Black Hearts' killah set redux at the February fundraiser in Toronto at Mitzi's Sister. That's Saturday, February 25th. We love you! See you there!



CUP LOVE: I arrived home to an outpouring of group email love from Peterborough, Guelph, Ottawa, New York and Montreal. There's truly something special about the Cup that brings out the love in everyone - as do the Exclaim! Summit, the Patch Cup, the Central Park tourney, Songbird Music Cup, all of which I consider to be spinoffs of each other, the Carleton Cup being the grandaddy of 'em all. We are truly blessed to have this community of hockey, music and love.



CUP MERCH: The new t-shirts are gold. Talk to Jon Knowles, or go to the website for deets at http://www.carletoncup.com



GUELPH CUP: Patti from Montreal Ninjas may have succeeded in talking Adam from 3 Gut into organizing a one-day pre-Summit tourney in Guelph. Stay tuned....





Exclaim! Hockey Summit 2006: April 13, 14, 15 & 16.

Toronto Ontario Canada

Deadline for team submissions: MONDAY FEBRUARY 20



www.exclaimhockey.ca