It’s hard to believe we’re already 1/2 way through the 2010-11 season! 

Brian and I made our way to Madison for the Beavers games a couple of weekends ago and ended up getting stuck an extra night due to the big blizzard that collapsed the Metrodome.  It was a fun trip, other than the game results and the fact that neither of our sisters (plus family) could make it to the Saturday game as planned, and the extra night provided the most entertainment.  We ended up getting a hotel room after the game and then walking through the blizzard to find the nearest watering hole.  I won’t go into too much detail since you can listen to the entire story on the archive of the 12/15 broadcast of Sports in the Round, but long story short we had an 8 year old give us directions at 11:30 at night to the closest bar which was ended up to be a biker bar.  The experience was priceless. 

I can’t say I’m the best rider in bad conditions like what we had to drive through that Sunday morning, just ask Schultzie or listen to the Sports in the Round archive from 12/15.  He did a great job driving I must admit, the worst of which was the first couple of hours out of Madison that Sunday morning since they got hit Saturday evening starting around 5 and it didn’t end until Sunday morning.  Not as much time to plow the Interstate as MN or western WI.  We made it back to Bemidji around 8 after leaving Madison around 10:30.  All in all, didn’t take much longer than usual though it sure felt like it.

Now it’s on to the Holiday Classic in Minneapolis New Year’s weekend.  They are non-conference games but still a good test for BSU as they take on Union and Ferris State.  Two teams not necessarily well known to Beaver fans, but both are having good seasons with Union ranked #12 and Ferris #18.  I hope they can come off their holiday break and get back on a win streak.  It will be tough second half of the WCHA season, with only 3 series left at home they will need to get some wins on the road to have a chance to move up in the standings.

The last episode of Sports in the Round for 2010 is tonight from 6-7 p.m. and per tradition we’ll be talking about the Paul Bunyan International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament.  It’s a very special tournament for 9-10 year olds, unlike any other I’ve ever seen, so hats off to all those volunteers who have pulled it off for so many years.  It brings in a lot of people to our region and creates a memorable time for all.  I only wish it was around when I was a Pee-Wee!

Have a great Christmas everyone and I hope you are tuned in next weekend as the BSU Men return to action on the Beaver Radio Network!