What, me worry?

To quote Alfred E. Newman: "What, me worry?"

Is anybody reading this old enough to know who Alfred E. Newman is? If you don't know, look him up.

I must admit I have a bit of anxiety about the Kelly Cup Finals with the series locked 2-2 but I have confidence in the Cyclones. They are very evenly matched teams, but it seems to me the Wranglers are resorting to cheap shots and dirty play. Of course a win is a win - even a cheap and dirty win still counts.

But I take that as a sign that the Wranglers don't have the discipline to keep their composure; so if the Cyclones can keep stick to their plan, and execute without losing their heads, then the better team should prevail and the Cyclones will hoist the Kelly Cup inside the USBA.

Championship Intensity

There is a magic to playoff intensity. For each level advanced that intensity is magnified. In a champiomship round that power, magic, and intensity is increased exponentially

If you were one of the 8600+ fans at USBA for game 1 on May 24, 2008 you experienced it from the stands. Let me tell you, it is even more intense backstage!

I am very proud to be a part of it and to share a little bit about it. It is hard to describe but I will try. It is just very intense - but in a positive, energetic sort of way.

Everyone understands the importance so every decision, evert task, is double-thought and double-checked. We worked on the ice all day, dressing up the edges and tapering it out nicely.

The backstage tunnel is fairly open. Players and officials stretch, play hackey-sack or soccer ball to loosen up before games. Last night was different. They all did their normal routine but slightly more stern with their faces clearly showing that they understand the importance of the game.

Even the union stage hands are on the top of their game, checking and double-checking everything

It is a 'show' like any other but nobody wants to be the one to screw something up. Everybody knows his responsibility and is making sure to fulfill it.

Equipment managers, trainers, and team helpers display a similar up-tick in their diligence and professionalism. They pass each other in the hall and exchange pleasantries but, again, the level of concentration on the task at hand is much higher.

The task? TO WIN.

Nothing else matters. What I am seeing is a bunch os highly dedicated folks from both teams doing everything they need to do to help their team WIN one game at a time with the ultimate goal of being CHAMPIONS. Nothing short of that is acceptible.

It is amazing to be a part of. Again I can't say how proud I am to be a part of this.

To those reading this I can only hope you are here tonight, in body or in spirit, to share in the experience.

Remember our Hockey H.E.R.O.E.S.!!

GO CYCLONES!!!!!

(Brought to you live by BlackBerry at USBA)

More about the tux...

The hits keep rolling in, but not all are from unique IP addresses. We're still way ahead of where I expected to be - so keep spreading the word.

Assuming the challenge is met, the next step is deciding on my headgear.

Should I stick with the "po' boy" cap I usually wear, or dress up the tux with my black fedora?

Post a comment with your suggestion...

Tuxedo Wearing Zam Driver? YOU DECIDE...

400 Block of Stevenson Rd, Erlanger, Ky.
That's were I was at about 10:05 PM on May 17, 2008.
The day the Cincinnati Cyclones beat the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 5, in Overtime, on a Shorthanded goal. I tingled all over for half a mile!

Now the Cyclones are off to the Kelly Cup finals. I'm not surprised, but I can hardly believe it's true. Either way, it's AWESOME.

I'm not a traditional media/sportswriter guy but I guess by default I am one within the blogosphere. Any bona fide media/sports guy, at whatever level, at least once in his career, has to do some sort of wacky publicity stunt. I have one in mind.

It's not as wacky as camping out on the billboard until a team wins but it's wacky enough for me. And, it is an audience participation stunt.

Give me 100 hits from unique IP addresses on this blog by Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals at the US Bank Arena, and yours truly will wear a Cylcones tuxedo while driving the Zamboni during home playoff games.

That's right sports fans. There are 4,415 hits on the blog right now. I can track the IP addresses of the hits, so tell a buddy, link to a friend, put it on your myspace, whatever it takes. Direct 100 people to the blog by Game 1 for me to wear a tux.

It's a white jacket with a shaw collar, black trousers, black bow tie and cumberbund. For the game, I will buy a red shirt and red pocket-hanky. That's the Cyclones colors. Maybe I'll have to get a pair of gold socks too - but I don't want to be mistaken for Michael Jackson.

Let's get the hit count up! Show me what you've got!

DAUGHERTY GETS IT RIGHT!

THREE CHEERS TO PAUL DAUGHERTY for getting it right, perfectly, wonderfully, beautifully, RIGHT in his article on 5-9-08:

Daugherty 5-9-08

Let's hope some of us outside the Cyclones' realm read this. He makes every point that needs to be made.

Thank you, Paul Daugherty!