[I’m leading off with the voices of the Cardinals, Dave Harris and Bob Cunniff, because I can.  The new camera exposes vistas on the far side of the arena.]

*Those five words are the medical equivalent of “your gall bladder has to come out.”  It’s not a good thing.  Our Cardinal girls’ hockey team opened the season last night with an unfortunate 2-1 loss to the North Metro Stars (if you Google “North Metro,” you still cannot find how many schools are involved in the conglomerate, but it encompasses most of the northern inner suburbs of Minneapolis).  We have high hopes for our team, so an opening season loss at home is an owie.  The teams played evenly in the first period until there were just a few minutes left.  Then the Stars applied constant pressure, the Cards couldn’t clear the zone, then, as usually happens after extended pressure, North Metro scored on a shot on which Card goalie, Stephanie Drown (senior), was totally screened.  It was 1-0 after one.

Warm-ups:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjhqQeUi53o

The Cards began to take over the game in the 2nd period.  Nevertheless, the Stars were able to score again on a long shot that was deflected.  Then the Stars star was awarded a penalty shot – she had already scored one of their goals and assisted on the other.  Things looked bleak for the Cards if they went down 3-0!   But Steph stopped the penalty shot.  With new life, the Cards scored late in the period on a power play to close within 2-1.  We thought we’d win then – we were the faster team, were carrying the play, and now led in shots on goal.

The 3rd period mirrored the 2nd – the Cards had the better of the play but could not dent the Stars’ goalie.  There were several good attempts, including one by Alia Kopischke (senior forward) where she stick handled by several defenders for a point blank shot.  The Cards pulled their goalie for the last minute, buzzed the net constantly, but could not get the tying goal.  The Cards finished with a 28-20 shot advantage, but as Mitch Loch used to say – that’s just a stat.

Shanee’ Herd (junior defense) was named player of the game.  No dispute here.  Shanee’ is now in her 5th year as a starter and is solid in all aspects of the game.  She is a solidifying force on the blue line.  We were also impressed with Nicole Bartels (freshman defense) -her first game with the varsity, she has a good feel for the game and was able to get off many shots toward the goal.  We have pretty good speed on our forward lines – they should be able to produce offensive pressure all year, and then the goals will come.

[A portent of things to come?  The JV dominated its game, but it ended 0-0 in OT.  Shoulda known it would go to OT, because we had an after-game event.]

[. . . and note the story about names on the uniforms.  Of course, they’re generally hidden by ponytails!  😉  ]

[Coaches]

[Mark Illies, father of Becca, on the PA system; John and Marnee’ Herd, parents of Shanee’, scorekeepers.]

[2008 state champ alums:  Ashley Holmes, now playing for the North Dakota Fighting Soon-Not-To-Be Sioux, on the puck shoot.  Abby Williams, now of the Bemidji State Beavers, came over and had a nice visit with the Super Fans.  Rumors were Kat DelZoppo was also in the house.]

[The previously referenced Shanee’ (40) and Nicole (23).]

[Kalley Kragenbring (10), sophomore forward]

[Tripped on the blue line?  Anonymity will ne preserved.]

[Alia]

[Kalley (again?)]

[Rachael Finley, senior forward – and, as noted below, front page columnist for the Echo Press.  The epitome of the student/athlete!]

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/89515/

[Nicole (again?) – honestly, I’m just firing at moving targets through a telephoto lens.  🙂 ]

[Steph]

[Quinn Kragenbring (20), senior forward – sisters are always a good idea on hockey teams; and Shanee’]

[Rachael centers Alia and Quinn]

[Shelby Iverson (38), junior forward, and Shanee’]

[Becca Illies, junior forward]

[Shelby, centers Becca and Kalley]

[Time-out for the last minute push.]

This is Vacationland USA, so of course hockey wasn’t the only game in town.  The Salty Dogs (Annie O’Flynn, Bruce Kelly, Erik Schultz, and Tom Mulder) played the winery that afternoon.  We were heartened to see a certain basketball/soccer/softball mom, w/friends, there – she advised their attendance was a direct result of advertising by the camp social director in this blog.  As novices, however, they did not know to stay until the final set – that’s when the talent really let’s their hair down (well, if they have any) 🙂  .  The boys and Annie had the joint rockin’ at the end – to the extent that an afternoon on diet pop and pretzels had emboldened them to advise customers they could not leave without paying a cover charge!  Tom even successfully completed back-to-back Roy Orbison numbers without the aid of a truss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x-NFQORWgw  (“Cannibals”)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpwHqKPiWJQ  (“End of the Line”)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxeSIGvuhk  (“Running Scared”)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZm1wydspOw (“If I Had a Million Dollars”) 

And there was an after game event – Lisa Lynn was at SAWA.  Naturally, with the JV game going to overtime and the varsity game going down to the wire, we arrived at SAWA much later than we had hoped.  Lisa was on break when we arrived – a bit overwhelmed by the business she’s in.  SAWA was absolutely packed – good for business, not so good for a single entertainer of the mellow variety.  The din in the place – by multiple parties having a raucously good time – made it difficult to even hear her perform.  So, we could not video her – in the absence of such, we’ll reprise her performance of “The Law and the Lonesome” at Bug-A-Boo Bay this summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OZINpLpMo

 [Lisa’s CD is permanently ensconced in the Obert-mobile – and it has yet to wear out its welcome.]

Several recent retirees are now regular attendees at these events.  They have advised, however, that they are not ready for these types of all-dayers.  We understand.  Our experience has shown you have to ease into these things and gradually build up your stamina.  😉

And yesterday, on the grandson’s 18th birthday, Patty and the Pine Tones played a reunion concert at the Pines as a fund raiser for Helps International.  The supervisor also partook of a silent auction and came away with a couple of nice bottles of wine.

[Al Lieffort, Terry Kennedy, Annie O’Flynn, Bruce Kelly, Patty Kakak]

Finally, an alumni report – “Roadblock” has her Gusties off to a 4-0 start.  And we heard through the hockey grapevine that Ally Nielsen scored the winning goal in St. Ben’s season opener.