The Shoot Out - Musings on a Backup Goalie

Goalie.   The last line of defense. The netminder.  The keeper.   There is no other position like it in sport.


In hockey, players are trying to score by getting a puck into the opposing team's net (or goal).  There are rules about how the puck can get to the net  (you can't kick the puck into the net, for example).  And in hockey , there is a goalie who is in charge of standing in front of the net to try to keep the pucks out.  The goalie gets to use special gear (bigger pads and helmet) and special rules apply (he or she can cover up the puck, for example).   But the goalie is part of the team.  The puck has to get by all other 5 players on the ice before it gets to the team's goalie.

That said, the goalie is highly visible.  A team wins - the goalie is great!  A team loses, and the goalie may feel the heat.  The goalie is central to the team, frequently its best skater, and a huge key to a team's success.    A team plays differently in front of a goalie in which they are confident, or accustomed.

Tonight, the University of Michigan's hockey team started its backup goalie  against the visiting Lake Superior State Lakers (both teams part of the CCHA).  The backup goalie played really well, stopping 34 shots and keeping Michigan in the game, letting in only 2 goals in regulation play.  Michigan also scored two goals, and at the end of regulation time, the game stood at a 2-2 tie.

In hockey, depending on the league, after a game is tied in the regulation time allowed, an overtime period may occur.  This happens in CCHA play - the overtime period lasts 5 minutes and the first team to score a goal wins the game (aka "sudden death").  Tonight, neither team scored in overtime.

Which leads to a shootout in the CCHA.  Each team picks three skaters and  each skater gets a one-on-one chance against the goalie to score.  They go one at a time.   If each team has the same number of goals after the first three skaters, additional skaters take shots on the goalie until one team has scored more shots than the other.  A shootout in college hockey is something of a nebulous event.  The outcome does not count for the NCAA.  Not all conferences use shootouts.  I don't like the shootout, especially in college hockey.

A shootout takes the game out of the hands of the team, and transfers it to the hands of individual players.  One skater, one goalie.  Is it exciting?  Yes, it is. Many fans love the shootouts - a dramatic finish to the end of a close game, not to mention the display of skill (both shooter and goalie) during the event.  I have not played goalie in hockey, but I have filled in as a goalie at soccer and there are few things in sport (even as a recreational athlete) like the excitement of a one-on-one between shooter and goalie.  I loved being the goalie against a breakaway in soccer. 

But a shootout changes the game.   It takes the game from a team sport to a one-on-one competition, transferring the focus from the team to individuals.  The best team may not win, but the one with the most skilled shooters with the best moves may.  Or the team with the hottest goalie.  But not necessarily the best team.  And it is a team sport, after all.

Michigan lost in a shootout tonight and its backup goalie played a great game. 

Play the hockey game.  Play an overtime.  Bet let the game stand as a tie if neither team wins at that point.

The Basement top plays of 2011

 54-40 – Baby Ran
.38 Special – Hold on Loosely
The Beatles – Anna (Go to Him)
Humble Pie – I Don't Need No Doctor
Angel – Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
Harry Nilsson – Good Old Desk
REO Speedwagon – Roll With The Changes
Humble Pie – 30 Days In A Hole (Live)
Foreigner – Feels Like the First Time
Humble Pie – Shine On
Harry Nilsson – Puppy Song
City Boy – (Moonlight) Shake My Head And Leave
Nirvana – Sliver
City Boy – The Greatest Story Ever Told

Lists, Lists, Lists - Songs I can't stop listening to, 2011 style

Again, the end of 2011 leaves me in the mood to make lists.  Here are listed the songs I keep coming back to this year, not necessarily the most played, but my favorite.  Some may be older than I am....

Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane.   This may be my life's anthem and the greatest song ever.
http://www.tomcochrane.com

Soldier - Ingrid Michaelson. This song makes me feel, even at my age, that I can accomplish anything
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com

You and Me - Elizabeth and the Catapault.  Just love the groove.
http://www.elizabethandthecatapult.com

Rainmaker - Harry Nillson.  For the days when Life is a Highway is not the best song ever, this song is. 
http://www.harrynilsson.com

 Dyamite - Taio Cruz.  Because every time I hear it I think of hockey (either playing or spectating).
http://www.taiocruzmusic.co.uk

One Step Away - Ratt.  Because I am true to my roots.  And Ratt was a damn fine band.
http://www.therattpack.com

Without Me - Eminem.  A little because he is from Detroit.  But mostly, because I dare you not to dance.  Seriously.  At least if you are over 18.
http://www.eminem.com/splash

What's Victoria's Secret? - Rick Springfield.  For too many reasons to name. 
http://www.rickspringfield.com

Beautiful, Dirty, Rich - Lady Gaga.   Again, I dare you not to dance.
http://www.ladygaga.com

Walking in Memphis - Mark Cohn.  Because we saw him in concert at The Ark this year and he is as funny as he is talented.
http://marccohn.net

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes. Because it has the best bass riff ever and because Michigan beat Notre Dame at football.
http://www.whitestripes.com

Tonight, Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae.  See Taio Cruz.  And The White Stripes.  This song was also played at the greatest dance party ever (aka the Post-Game Celebration at Michigan Stadium after the 2011 Notre Dame Game).
http://www.hotchellerae.com/us/home

Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen.   No good reason - just that this song always sounds like a good idea.  And it always rocks.
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html


I'll get the top-played songs of 2011 out soon.  But I wanted to get this list of the songs I loved in 2011 out as well. 

Lists, Lists, Lists - Where I Loved Eating in 2011

There is something about the end of the calendar year that lends itself to lists - so expect to see quite a few in my blog over the course of the next few days. 

Here's my list for where I loved to eat in 2011.  We did some traveling this year, but I'm going to constrain my list to Southeastern Michigan (aka the best place on earth). 

Logan, Ann Arbor. I love this restaurant.  The food, the wine, the experience.  Make a reservation and take your time - this restaurant is meant to be neither a quick nor an inexpensive meal but it is so worth both the time and the money.   http://logan-restaurant.com/

Giovanni's, Detroit.  Again, I love this restaurant.  Hands down, the best Italian food in the area.  Use the valet parking and make reservations, but absolutely visit.  http://www.giovannisristorante.com/

Afternoon Delight, Ann Arbor.  Yum!  Breakfast after the farmers market on Saturday mornings.  You can't beat it in Ann Arbor!  http://www.afternoondelightcafe.com/

Beezy's Cafe, Ypsilanti.   Best egg salad sandwich anywhere, ever.  Breakfast is also amazing (try the French toast or the chorizo scramble).  Faygo in bottles as well.  Love the vibe of this restaurant.  http://www.beezyscafe.com/


West End Grill, Ann Arbor.  Very, very good food and excellent wine.  http://www.westendgrillannarbor.com/

Tony's Coney, Canton.  Unfortunately, out of business but it was the best Coney Island restaurant I've eaten in (ever) and I miss it, so I'm including it.


Bill's Hot Dog Stand, Ypsilanti.  Just go, get 2 coney dogs with onions and root beer (during the time of the year Bill's is open) and enjoy.  Life is short.  Eat here a few times a year.  Bill's doesn't have a website, so I'm including a link to their reviews on Yelp.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/bills-drive-in-ypsilanti

Conor O'Neill's, Ann Arbor.  Or maybe I just love drinking here.  I always get the Ploughman's Sandwich and it is good, but I love Harp on tap.  And the maps of Ireland all over the establishment.  http://www.conoroneills.com/annarbor/

Bode's Corned Beef House, Plymouth.  I never deviate.  Scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, rye toast, and coffee.  http://www.bodehouse.com/

Taqueria Lupita, Detroit.  Perfect, authentic tacos.  http://www.taquerialupitari.com/

Best Lasagna Ever

No, seriously.  I don't know what quirk of fate made this lasagna different than all the other lasagnas I've produced over the years, but it was different.  And it was good.  This recipe takes some time because you will make the sauce from scratch, but it is worth the effort and really, it isn't that much work to put together - it just takes about 4 hours.This recipe makes an 8 x 8 pan's worth of lasagna.

For the Sauce:

1 yellow onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground sirloin
1 14.5 ounce can tomato sauce
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
1 tsp dried basil
1.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp dried oregano
dash salt and a few grinds of pepper

Brown the meat in a big pot and drain.  Return the pot to the heat and add the onion and garlic and continue to cook until they are soft.  Add the tomato sauce, paste, water and seasonings and simmer 2 hours over low heat.  I turn off the heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes before I assemble the lasagna.



Heat your oven to 350.

For the Lasagna:

6 no-boil Lasagna noodles
2 turkey Italian sausages, cooked through and sliced into 1/2 inch thick pieces
4 cups fresh spinach - rinsed, spun dry, and chopped (remove the thick stems first)
1 container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 cup shredded parmesan
2 cups shredded mozzerella

Spray an 8 by 8 cooking pan with non-stick cooking spray.  I put a piece of aluminum foil on my pan and  then spray it - it makes the clean up much easier.

Mix the cheeses and eggs together in a bowl.

Begin layering the Lasagna:

Sauce
2 noodles (side by side)
Cheese
Spinach
Sauce
2 Noodles
Cheese
Italian Sausage
2 Noodles
Sauce

Cover pan with foil and bake for about 60-70 minutes and until the Lasagna is completely heated.

Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Post Title IX Musings - The You Throw Like a Girl Edition

I was jostled out of a happy place tonight watching Michigan's hockey team at Yost.  And it wasn't because we lost (rather messily) to Northeastern.  It was because of the jeering of the 30-something guy sitting behind me.  Let me explain.

At hockey games there are two intermissions.    A lot of times there is entertainment during the intermissions to keep the fans engaged - like games or "skill" competitions.  Fans are selected to compete in these games. One common event at Yost in an intermission is the tricycle race.  Two fans are selected to race tricycles to one end of the rink and back.  Tonight's competitors were students - a young man and woman who finished the race fairly closely, although the young man did prevail.  The crowd is usually fairly enthusiastic in cheering the participants on - how awkward it must be to try to propel a bicycle on the ice, after all.

The man behind me heckled the winner. "You beat a girl!"   More than once.  As in, your victory was meaningless because your competition was unworthy.

Seriously?  In 2011?   By a 30-something educated person?    In a for-fun competition with non-athletes?  Involving tricycles?  A girl is unworthy competition?  And it is acceptable to shout this in a crowd?   That the thought even occurred to the heckler in the first place is stunning.  

I'm not talking about weight lifting or professional or college sports, I'm  talking about a recreational game played for fun as an interlude at a sporting event.  And I'm speaking as someone who finished ahead of a heck of a lot of men at the 5K I ran Thursday morning.   Not that I'd thought about my recent race that way before tonight.

And silly me, for thinking in 2011, we had finally moved beyond "you throw like a girl" or "you run like a girl" and assuming that doing either of these two things "like a girl" was synonymous to doing them poorly.

My post-Title IX complacency was jostled tonight by someone younger than I.   And to the heckler in my section, I say  the following:  Please lace up your running shoes, sir, and let's go a few miles.  You can eat my dust. 

Spinach Lentil Salad

This week's CSA goodies  inspire creativity once again!  Having been informed by my perennial dining companion that his daily lunch salad needs a little more diversity of ingredients, I used up a few odds and ends and came up with a keeper.  This recipe feeds two, generously, in my house.  I did put a lot more spinach in my bowl than my PDC's, however.

Salad:

 1 cup cooked lentils (see note below)
 4-5 radishes, well rinsed and diced
 1/4 cup red onion, diced
 4 smallish carrots, peeled and chopped
 4 cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed and spun dry and chopped (remove any thick stems)
 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (plus a little more for topping, optional)

Dressing:

1/4 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup  good quality olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
few grinds of black pepper


Combine the salad ingredients and toss.   Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and stir into the salad ingredients.   Refrigerate for at least one hour.  Divide the salad into two bowls and top with additional feta crumbles if desired.

Lentil Note:

I used Bob's Red Mill brown lentils, rinsed and picked over, if you use a half cup of dried lentils and 1.5 cups of chicken broth when cooking, you will be in good shape.  I made the lentils and then let them cool in a separate bowl while I prepared the rest of the salad ingredients.