text:
Posts by Topic: Duluth RSS feed
Difficult week for DU, Coach Gwozdecky, as Pioneers prepare for Gold Pan series vs. CC
Services for Dr. George Gwozdecky, father of DU hockey coach George Gwozdecky, were today in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Dr. Gwozdecky died peacefully Saturday at age 93, with Coach Gwozdecky by his side. Coach Gwozdecky is scheduled to return to Colorado on Thursday night and rejoin the Pioneers before they host rival Colorado College at Magness Arena on Friday to begin a home-and-home series.
On Monday, former DU forward Joe Casey died in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He was 37. Cause of death has not yet been determined, but the captain of the local senior-A hockey team — who was in good shape — suffered from the flu or another illness last weekend.
The Pioneers swept the Tigers earlier this season and need just one win or a tie to reclaim the Gold Pan, which meant everything to Casey, a hard-nosed role player who was raised in Colorado Springs.
I knew Joe pretty well, far better than a typical relationship with a DU player. He drank a lot of coffee before games and loved to block shots. He was extremely proud to be the Pioneers' best shot-blocker, and used to tell me about all the shin pads he cracked from doing the dirty work. He was a rugged outdoorsman, a guy's guy who was respected by everyone he befriended.
(I got to know Joe before games, seeing him in front of the locker room by the coffee stand. It was the best coffee in the building(s), and although it was there for the players, coaches and officials, Joe encouraged me to take what I wanted because it was otherwise going to waste. We both couldn't live without our coffee at hockey games.)
Joe wore No. 7 for the Pios and played four seasons, from 1996 to 2000 — the tough years before/during/after DU was homeless while Magness Arena was being built after the DU Arena was torn down. Joe scored 12 goals in 38 games as a senior, when the Pioneers went 16-23-2 in what I believe was the third season at Magness Arena. Recruiting had taken a huge hit because the visiting blue-chippers didn't see much to appreciate while the Pioneers played in front of dull crowds at McNichols Sports Arena, Denver Coliseum, the Air Force Academy and World Arena. Tough times, but Joe was having a blast, completing his dream of playing college hockey.
He went north after college to Jackson Hole, joining its senior-A team, and according to hockeydb.com, he played one season in the Central Hockey League, in 2006-07 for the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. My deepest sympathies to Joe's family. He was a real beauty.
Meanwhile, Coach Gwozdecky traveled with his hockey team to Duluth, Minn., on Thursday, and then drove to Thunder Bay on Friday when he learned of his father's illness. Coach Gwozdecky will return to Denver, and the Pioneers' bench, for the CC series.
I will be covering Friday's game, and Adrian Dater is scheduled to work Saturday's game in Colorado Springs.
Keep tabs with Mike Chambers on Twitter: @MChambersDP
Read more of Mike Chambers at All Things Avs.
Categories: Hockey, University of Denver
"Homeless" DU hockey team picked third in its final season in the WCHA; Air Force top pick in AHA
Because of next Tuesday's presidential debate at Magness Arena, DU has evacuated its Murray Armstrong Hockey Complex (locker room, lounge, etc.) and is practicing at Joy Burns Arena on the Pioneers' campus and using the Avalanche facility at Family Sports Center in Centennial.
The Secret Service owns Magness Arena right now, and will continue to do so until after the Pioneers' Oct. 6 exhibition game against British Columbia at the Pepsi Center.
Meanwhile, the rebuilding Pioneers were picked to finish third by the media in the final year of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as we know it.
Comments Off on "Homeless" DU hockey team picked third in its final season in the WCHA; Air Force top pick in AHA
Categories: Air Force Academy, Colorado College, Hockey, University of Denver
DU Pioneers playing for WCHA championship vs. Sioux
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Freshman goalie Juho Olkinuora will backstop the DU Pioneers in tonight's WCHA Final Five championship at the Xcel Energy Center, a rematch of the 2011 final. It's North Dakota vs. DU … again.
DU has won a record 15 of these things, including three times under coach George Gwozdecky (2002, 2005 and 2008). Both these teams will get bids to the NCAA Tournament tomorrow morning, with tonight's winner getting the auto bid. UND is gunning for a No. 1 seed, which might end up getting the Sioux back here for next week's West Regional, if Minnesota is a No. 2 or No. 3 seed. That's as far as I'm going with the PairWise Rankings, given that we won't have to guess in three hours (or more).
As expected, DU will go with just five defensemen, because it only has five available. Junior Paul Phillips suffered a leg injury early in Friday's 3-2 double-OT victory over Minnesota-Duluth and will not play, and freshman Wade Bennett, who has yet to play this season, is also injured. No other lineup changes.
The Sioux, who have just 11 forwards, are going with junior Aaron Dell in the nets.
Crazy last 24 hours here, with temperatures in the 70s and an unreal St. Patrick's Day feel. Huge parade today and thousands of green-glad folks celebrating the holiday along with thousands of Sioux fans in green and black sweaters. Staying at the stately Saint Paul Hotel. Life is good.
Comments Off on DU Pioneers playing for WCHA championship vs. Sioux
Categories: College Sports, Hockey, University of Denver
DU beats Minnesota-Duluth in storybook fashion
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Tough time coming up with a good lead here, after spending five-plus hours watching or writing about DU's remarkable 4-3 double-overtime victory over Minnesota-Duluth. Not really. The story sells itself. I just put it out there: Goalie Sam Brittain makes a program-record 67 saves and freshman Zac Larraza gets his first career goal to cement the Pioneers' dramatic win at college hockey's best tournament.
I'm gassed. But not as tired as DU. Pios will play their sixth game in nine days Saturday, with a chance to increase their record Broadmoor Trophy titles to 16. Big-time heart shown by the Pios. Listen, they didn't need to win this game — an at-large NCAA bid was all but assured — but played like their season was on the line in the OTs. Fifth-year senior and co-captain Dustin Jackson said the heart stems from how the Pioneers have approached the last four weeks of the season — playing desperate — and has just become their regular mindset. This team, although completely beat up — Pios are down to just five defensemen — could be super dangerous in the NCAAs. They are battle-tested and believe in each other.
If they can get Chris Knowlton and Beau Bennett back at forward, and perhaps David Makowksi on the point for the power play, look out. I have a bad feeling about Paul Phillips' leg injury; the junior defenseman was hurt Thursday and did not play tonight. Otherwise, everyone happy in Pio-land.
Comments Off on DU beats Minnesota-Duluth in storybook fashion
Shortage of D for DU as Pioneers head into WCHA semis
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — DU will today be without junior defenseman Paul Phillips, who suffered a leg injury on his first or second shift Thursday in a 3-2 overtime win over Michigan Tech. The Pios have basically played without the Phillips, an assistant captain, for the past two games. He was also injured in Sunday's 3-2 OT victory over Wisconsin in Denver, an upper-body injury, I believe, and he did not return.
Freshman D Wade Bennett, who has not played this season, is not available. Thus, the Pioneers are left with five D — likely for the rest of the weekend and perhaps the rest of the season.
Potentially, DU could play six games in nine days before the 16-team NCAA Tournament is announced Sunday morning. A win today in the semifinals over Minnesota-Duluth gets the Pios into Saturday's Broadmoor Trophy championship game against tonight's Minnesota/North Dakota winner. DU began the WCHA playoffs last weekend against the Badgers, who won Game 1 before the Pios pulled out Games 2 and 3.
Comments Off on Shortage of D for DU as Pioneers head into WCHA semis
Categories: University of Denver
DU hockey postgame notes from St. Paul: Pios clinch NCAA bid, freshmen shine …
ST. PAUL, MINN. — Done trying to figure out the PairWise Rankings and what it means to DU, but I'm told the Pios will at least get an at-large bid on Sunday and compete in its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament beginning next weekend at one of four regionals. At 7:35 p.m. CT, they were 10th in the PWR, which equates to a No. 3 seed. Don't think the Pios care who they play. Confidence is high.
Because of Jason Zucker and Luke Salazar's late-game heroics in today's 3-2 OT victory over Michigan Tech, I didn't write much on freshman wing Ty Loney, who I thought was the No. 1 star in the WCHA Final Five quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center. Loney had just one shot (goal) but added the game-tying assist and was plus-2 on the Drew Shore-centered line, with Salazar.
Loney, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is the son of two-time Stanley Cup winner Troy Loney, whom I met today upon entering the building. Ty Loney obviously has great genes and size for his age, but he was a healthy scratch in six of DU's first 11 games this season. DU coach George Gwozdecky joked that he was so behind at the start of the season, he didn't think young Ty, who turned 20 on March 1, "could keep up" in practice.
Loney has 10 goals and 20 points — a fine freshman season.
Also didn't have room to give freshman goalie Juho Olkinuora the required love in Friday's game story. He had 27 saves in a game that proves how much the program likes him — he started a tournament game with win-or-go-home stakes. "I felt good. It wasn't one of my best games, I'd say. There was stuff that I could clean up," Olkinuora said.
Sophomore Sam Brittain is expected to start in Friday's semis against Minnesota-Duluth. He and "Jussi" have been rotating regularly and are undoubtedly a nice luxury. "Like I've said before, we boost each other and make each other better," Olkinuora said." Whoever is in net, you know there aren't going to be any easy goals. I feel like it's a good situation."
DU junior defenseman Paul Phillips suffered a leg injury on his first or second shift and was getting an MRI performed after the game, in which he did not finish. If he can't go Friday the Pios will be limited to five D — including freshmen Joey LaLeggia, Scott Mayfield and Josiah Didier. Seniors John Ryder and John Lee are playing mega minutes and the young guys are playing exceptionally well. Phillips also didn't play most of Sunday's game against Wisconsin, after getting banged up against the boards, so going with five D is nothing unusual for this group.
Also want to get some Jason Zucker stuff out of the way, even though it's also in the game story.
"Certainly, he's got a great release and scored a big goal for us today," Gwozdecky said of the OT winner. "Jason and I had some discussions after the first period and after the second period, trying to analyze and help him get better in the game. I think he'd be the first to admit that he didn't have a great game tonight . . . Certainly we'd like to be able to see him, along with some of his other teammates, play more of complete game (today)."
Finally, this from Salazar. The 5-foot-nothing, 155-pounder has scored a goal in his last three games, and has four in his last five. He has been a late-game hero in three consecutive 3-2 OT victories, scoring the third-period tying goal March 3 at UNO and the OT tally Sunday against Wisconsin.
"We've been down or tied in the third period the last few games and don't want to change our game plan," Salazar joked. "I've pretty much just been lucky."
DU Pioneers on one of the most remarkable streaks in American sports
I hope I'm not jinxing the Denver Pioneers here, heading into a huge series this weekend against the North Dakota Fighting Sioux at Magness Arena, but this has to be written, tweeted … shouted — particularly when comparing it to an equally exclusive program like UND.
The Pioneers haven't been swept in a WCHA regular-season or playoff series since Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, 2008 — at St. Cloud State. According to my math, they have gained at least one point in 53 consecutive series over four seasons (including non-consecutive games with Colorado College), a truly remarkable streak, because nobody in the WCHA comes close to that feat, and I doubt any team in the NCAA can touch it. The WCHA may not be the country's toughest conference this season, but it certainly has been among the top two for the last decade or more.
In comparison, North Dakota has been swept twice this season (at Wisconsin and at Minnesota), league-leading Minnesota once (at DU) and second-place Minnesota-Duluth once (at Minnesota). Colorado College has been swept twice (at North Dakota and at Bemidji State) and Wisconsin has been swept three times (at CC, at UND and against SCSU).
DU has been madly inconsistent this season (mostly because of injuries) but the closest it got to being swept was Oct. 28-29 at Michigan Tech, when the Huskies won 7-2 before tying 2-2.
Senior defenseman John Lee was a freshman when DU lost twice at St. Cloud. "It's a long time to not be swept, and it's a really good thing," Lee said. "The coaches prepare us like every game is a new series. If you win Friday night, it doesn't mean anything for Saturday, and vise versa. I think our coaches do a good job every day to get us ready to play."
Added freshman defenseman Joey LaLeggia (who is our feature in Friday's paper): "It goes back to Coach Gwozdecky. If we lose on Friday, he does a great job preparing us for Saturday, staying positive and getting us to bounce back. I think it's that and the great players he and his staff bring in."
Overall, the Pioneers haven't been swept since last season, when they lost their home-opening weekend series 6-2 and 3-0 to Boston College.
DU preparing for Nebraska Omaha, Murray to begin series in nets for Pios
DU junior goalie Adam Murray will start in Friday's two-game series opener against Nebraska Omaha at Magness Arena. Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said Saturday's starter will be determined after Game 1.
Two revelations about UNO: The Mavericks don't like a hyphen between Nebraska and Omaha and they chose to bus here instead of fly. They are scheduled to practice at Joy Burns Arena tonight at 6 after the 7-8 hour drive.
Gwozdecky's top two forward lines will remain intact from last weekend's 5-4 win over CC. Thus, Drew Shore is between LW Jason Zucker and RW Danny Doremus, and Nick Shore centers LW Beau Bennett and RW Luke Salazar.
Bennett, who seemingly makes this team go offensively, said he missed the Nov. 4-5 Minnesota-Duluth series because a cyst developed on his wrist, just above the skate-blade gash that forced him out of the Oct. 28-29 series at Michigan Tech. Bennett said once the cyst was treated (drained, I believe), he regained the strength with his stick.
"We found it, took care of it, and it feels good every since," Bennett said. "Full strength."
Bennett capped a beautiful give-and-go play with Salazar to give the Pios a 1-0 lead over CC, and they went on to light up the Tigers (who trailed 5-1). He has seven points (five assists) in five games.
"Beau is just a very dynamic player who makes everybody around him better," DU co-captain Dustin Jackson said. "His ability with the puck is probably the best on this team. He draws players to him and he can dish, and if nobody's there he can score. He added a lot to our team last week and it's good to have him back."
Bennett needs to save the poor power play. The Pioneers are 36th nationally with a 15 percent success rate with the advantage. The top unit will again feature David Makowksi and Joey LaLeggia at the points with Bennett, Nick Shore and Zucker down low. Drew Shore is spearheading the second unit.
"We're getting chances," Bennett said of the PP. "It's better than getting the puck it and getting it thrown right back out. We're getting it in, setting it up and getting chances. I think the biggest thing is getting traffic to the net, more bodies towards the net. I think we're a little too perimeter right now. I think that will change this weekend."
DU's Bennett again out of lineup, Murray in net for Pioneers
DU sophomore wing Beau Bennett will miss his third consecutive game with a wrist injury, caused by a teammates' skate blade during practice last week.
Big setback for the Pioneers, who begin a two-game series against defending NCAA champion Minnesota-Duluth at Magness Arena. Bennett was on fire in DU's first four games, producing six points (five assists) and at times looked like a man amongst boys.
Also scratched, albeit healthy, are blue-chip freshmen forwards Zac Larraza and Ty Loney.
DU is again going with a 11-forward, seven-defensemen lineup with senior forward Nate Dewhurst getting his first action of the season on the fourth line with freshman Matt Tabrum. Junior forward Chris Knowlton returns from a team-imposed suspension and will play on a Shawn Ostrow-centered line with co-captain Dustin Jackson.
Comments Off on DU's Bennett again out of lineup, Murray in net for Pioneers
College hockey weekend preview: DU hosts defending NCAA champ Duluth
A look at the the Front Range college hockey teams in action this weekend across the nation…
MINNESOTA-DULUTH (4-3-1, 2-2-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association)
at No. 8 DENVER (3-2-1, 2-1-1 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Friday (7:35 p.m.) and Saturday (7 p.m.)
Where: Magness Arena
TV/Radio: Root (Friday only)/102.3 FM
Notes: DU wing Beau Bennett is probable. The sophomore wing missed last weekend's series at Michigan Tech after being cut on the right wrist by a teammates' skate blade.
…Goalies Adam Murray and Juho Olkinuora might each get a start this weekend. Murray started the first five games but was injured early in last Friday's 7-2 loss and Olkinuora allowed just three goals in more than five periods of relief duty.
…Junior forward Chris Knowlton returns from a team-imposed suspension and is expected to make his season debut tonight.
No. 2 COLORADO COLLEGE (4-0, 2-0 WCHA)
at NEBRASKA-OMAHA (4-4, 3-1 WCHA)
When: Friday (6:35 p.m. MT) and Saturday (6 p.m. MT)
Where: CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Neb.
TV/Radio: None/103.9 FM
Notes: CC is making its maiden trip to Omaha to play the Mavericks, who are in their second season in the WCHA. Tonight marks the 500th career NCAA game for UNO head coach Dean Blais, who is in his third year in Omaha. Blais previously coached for 10 years at North Dakota, compiling a record of 262-115-33.
…CC is coming off a nonleague series sweep (4-1 and 4-1) at Rensselaer and UNO split a WCHA series at Wisconsin last weekend (5-4 win, 6-3 loss).
…CC goalie Joe Howe leads the country in goals-against average (0.90) and save percentage (.964).
SACRED HEART (0-6, 0-2 Atlantic Hockey Association)
at AIR FORCE (3-2-2, 2-0-1 AHA)
What: AHA two-game series
When: Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (7:30 p.m.)
Where: Cadet Ice Arena
TV/Radio: None/1300 AM
Notes: Saturday's later start time is to accommodate fans and game-day personnel addition time after the Air Force-Army football game that begins at 1:30 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.
…Air Force is on a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) but the ties were against lowly Alabama-Huntsville and Canisius. Those team rank 57th and 50th, respectively, in scoring among 57 Division I programs. Sacred Heart has been outscored 37-9 and is 57th in scoring margin (minus-4.67).
…Air Force is 10-1-2 against the Pioneers at the Academy.
Comments Off on College hockey weekend preview: DU hosts defending NCAA champ Duluth
Categories: Colorado College, Hockey, University of Denver
DU might platoon goalies; Knowlton off suspension and will play
DU junior goalie Adam Murray returned to practice Tuesday and was again skating with the team today. He played just the first 10:22 of last weekend's loss and tie at Michigan Tech after the team said he suffered an upper-body injury in the 7-2 series-opening loss. Murray allowed three goals on six shots before being pulled after the third goal.
"I'm real excited," Murray said about returning to practice and playing in this weekend's series against Minnesota-Duluth. "Last weekend was definitely a step back and a disappointment for myself and the team, so this upcoming weekend is going to be big for us."
Murray, however, might just get one crack at the defending NCAA champions. Freshman Juho Olkinuora played pretty well at Tech, allowing just three goals in 5 1/2 periods. DU coach George Gwozdecky said the Finnish goalie — a mid-summer pickup after No. 1 goalie Sam Brittain underwent major knee surgery June 17 — has probably earned a start this weekend.
"We got a goaltending controversy. We're like the Broncos!" Gwozdecky joked. "They might rotate, yeah."
Tale of the tape:
Murray 3-2-0, 3.29 GAA, .897 save percentage in 237 minutes
Olkinuora 0-0-1, 1.47 GAA, .940 save percentage in 122 minutes
Footnotes. DU junior forward Chris Knowlton is out of Gwozdecky's dungeon. Knowlton missed the first six games, plus two exhibition games, with a team-imposed suspension. Gwozdecky said Knowlton is expected to be in the lineup Friday. . . . Gwozdecky wasn't sure if he would again go with a seven-defensemen, 11-forward lineup or the traditional six and 12. The Pios have yet to use the latter.
Skate-blade cut could keep DU's Bennett out of the lineup against UMD
[media-credit id=238 align="alignnone" width="270″] [/media-credit]
DU winger Beau Bennett missed a two-game series at Michigan Tech with this skate-blade cut to his right wrist that required seven stitches.
DU sophomore Beau Bennett, the explosive winger from southern California who is likely playing in his final season of college, practiced today but remains questionable for this weekend's series against visiting Minnesota-Duluth, the defending NCAA champion.
Bennett, who has lost strength in his right hand because of a skate-blade cut that required seven stitches, also skated with the team Monday — but he sat out Tuesday.
"(Tuesday) was more flow and battle stuff, so I took the day off," he said.
Bennett was cut by a skate from freshman Larkin Jacobson during last Wednesday's practice, and he missed both games at Michigan Tech last weekend. Apparently, the wound has sufficiently healed, in terms of closing — but Bennett has not regained strength.
"When I move it laterally, my arm is like powerless, when I go to shoot and put flex on the stick, my hand is just not responding well," he said.
So will the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2010 No. 1 draft pick play this weekend?
"I hope so," he said. "We'll see how it goes today. I still have three days left."
DU coach George Gwozdecky said a decision will be made on Bennett after Friday's pregame skate.
"It all depends on the strength factor. That's the biggest thing," Gwozdecky said. "If he has enough strength to play with it, we'll wait another day and see if he can go Saturday."
Comments Off on Skate-blade cut could keep DU's Bennett out of the lineup against UMD
DU notes heading into series at Michigan Tech
We are running a feature on DU freshman defenseman Josiah Didier of Littleton in Friday's paper. Didier, 18, is one of three blue-chip newcomers being introduced to an otherwise veteran blue line. Didier and classmates Scott Mayfield and Joey LaLeggia need playing time, but the Pioneers don't want to scratch seniors John Ryder and John Lee, junior Paul Phillips or sophomore David Makowski.
So they've gone with a seven-D, 11-forward lineup for the first four games, and DU coach George Gwozdecky said that could again be the case in Friday's series opener at Michigan Tech. Available fourth-line forwards on the trip are freshmen Ty Loney, Daniel Doremus and Matt Tabrum and senior Nate Dewhurst. Junior forward Chris Knowlton remains on a team-imposed suspension this weekend, but Gwozdecky said he could be available for next week's series against Minnesota-Duluth at Magness Arena.
Meanwhile, here's some leftover stuff from the Didier story:
"You can see him improving every practice. You can see him gaining understanding, gaining confidence, just getting better every day," Gwozdecky said of Didier.
About the hassle of using seven D (different partners, less playing time, etc.)
"Someone is going to beat someone else out," Gwozdecky said. "You always want to put your best lineup on the ice, and up to this point our best lineup has included seven defensemen."
Didier is definitely a keeper. He's big (almost 6-foot-3 and closing in on 210 pounds) and mobile.
"I'm still trying to build into my body and get more mature and stronger, and I think my on-ice stuff is going to continue to improve as I'm here with these coaches and all these great players," he said. "I'm learning a lot from the older guys and that's helping me adjust to the game better. I'm just trying to keep it simple out there, not trying to do too much with the puck and take the body. I feel great about coming in this year. Last year helped me a lot, hockey and school, and managing my time. I've learned a lot already.
"I'm just going to take advantage of the opportunities I get."
Super shocking: DU picked by coaches to win WCHA
Shocking to super shocking to … thinking I'm not so smart, or everyone else has been reading the same misguided scouting report.
Good thing about all this is, we're going to find out together.
A day after the WCHA media picked Denver to win the MacNaughton Cup as regular-season champion, the coach's poll predicted the same. I didn't think it was possible.
Per my previous blog, I don't think the Pioneers are capable of playing excellent hockey consistently, particularly in the early part of the season, and consistency is required to win the toughest league in the country.
They will have an unproven goalie in the nets and three freshmen defensemen in front of junior Adam Murray for at least the first half of the season. They have a terrific scoring nucleus of junior Drew Shore and sophomores Jason Zucker, Beau Bennett and Nick Shore, and tough-and-experienced group of defensemen led by John Ryder and John Lee.
They also have a fine freshmen class. But that's another thing. They have a huge freshmen class. Ten newcomers, including six who will play immediately.
I envision DU finishing among the top four teams and being in position to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. I do not think the Pioneers will be in the running for the MacNaughton Cup. I hope I'm wrong.
41st annual Grand Forks Herald WCHA coaches poll
Coaches poll
1. Denver (7) 115
2. UND (4) 110
3. Colorado College (1) 105
4. Omaha 89
5. Duluth 75
6. Minnesota 74
7. St. Cloud State 61
8. Wisconsin 54
9. Anchorage 36
10. Bemidji State 30
11. MSU-Mankato 29
12. Michigan Tech 14
Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College (8)
Justin Schultz, Wisconsin (2)
Terry Broadhurst, Omaha (1)
Jack Connolly, Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Preseason rookie of the year
Rocco Grimaldi, UND (10)
Joey LaLeggia, Denver (1)
Jayson Megna, Omaha (1)
Comments Off on Super shocking: DU picked by coaches to win WCHA
Categories: College Sports
WCShocking: DU picked by media to win the WCHA
I'm willing to bet many of the 25 voters who participated in a Duluth, Minn.-based media poll have no idea that DU sophomore goalie Sam Brittain will miss most of the season, if not all of it, after undergoing major knee surgery June 17 in Denver. After all, how can you pick the Pioneers to win the toughest league in the country without their best goalie — not to mention introducing three freshmen defensemen to the lineup? It wouldn't be shocking to suggest DU will make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year, or even advance to the Frozen Four.
But how do you pick the Pios to win a marathon conference season with their No. 2 and No. 3 goalies for at least half of the marathon, with three young D cutting their teeth?
Not saying junior Adam Murray won't step up and have a breakout season; I hope the kid does just that. In fact, I will tell him I'm pulling for him.
This is about picking a team that is going to throw a goaltender at you that owns career numbers of 3.60 and .877. Brittain, the reigning Keith Magnuson Award winner as DU's top defensive player, is at 2.28 and .921 and started 33 games as a freshman, more than half of what Murray has started in his career (15).
Again, I hope Murray has a splendid year and leads the Pios to the Frozen Four. But if he doesn't show significant improvement?
Maybe all these so-called experts think Juho Olkinuora is the best thing to come out of Finland since Teemu Selanne.
Here's my big prediction for the year: The soon-to-be-released Grand Forks Herald coach's poll will not have DU picked to win the league. They know better. Who did I vote for? I had CC, UND, DU … and it looks like I was the only one to pick Drew Shore as preseason player of the year.
Here's the media poll:
94X WCHA PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Denver (16 first-place votes)
2. Colorado College (7)
3. North Dakota (2)
4. Nebraska-Omaha (1)
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Minnesota
7. Wisconsin
(tie) St. Cloud State
9. Alaska-Anchorage
10. Bemidji State
11. Minnesota State
12. Michigan Tech
Jason Zucker, forward, Denver (10 votes); Jaden Schwartz, forward, Colorado College (8)
Others receiving votes: Jack Connolly, forward, Minnesota Duluth; Justin Schultz, defenseman, Wisconsin; Drew Shore, forward, Denver.
Rocco Grimaldi, forward, North Dakota (17 votes)
Others receiving votes: Seth Ambroz, forward, Minnesota; Scott Mayfield, defenseman, Denver; Sam Mellor, forward, Alaska-Anchorage; Kyle Rau, forward, Minnesota
PRESEASON COACH OF THE YEAR
Scott Owens, Colorado College (9 votes); Mel Pearson, Michigan Tech (5)
Others receiving votes: Dean Blais, Nebraska-Omaha; George Gwozdecky, Denver; Don Lucia, Minnesota; Dave Shyiak, Alaska-Anchorage
PRESEASON ALL-WCHA TEAM
Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth; Jaden Schwartz, Colorado College (unanimous selection); Jason Zucker, Denver
Others receiving votes: J.T. Brown, Minnesota Duluth; Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota; Corban Knight, North Dakota; Danny Kristo, North Dakota; Drew Shore, Denver
Ben Blood, North Dakota; Justin Schultz, Wisconsin (unanimous selection)
Others receiving votes: Gabe Guentzel, Colorado College; Brad Hunt, Bemidji State; Nick Jensen, St. Cloud State; Brady Lamb, Minnesota Duluth; David Makowski, Denver
Aaron Dell, North Dakota
Others receiving votes: John Faulkner, Nebraska-Omaha, Kent Patterson, Minnesota
The following media members took part in the 94X Preseason Media Poll.
David Ahlers, KKAR Radio/University of Nebraska-Omaha; Stephen Anderson, Daily Mining Gazette; Roman Augustoviz, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Andy Baggot, Wisconsin State Journal; Mike Chambers, Denver Post; Bruce Ciskie, KZIO Radio/Bulldog Radio Network; Chris Dilks, Western College Hockey; Shane Frederick, Mankato Free Press; John Gilbert, WCHA.com; Kurt Haider, KENI Radio; Mick Hatten, St. Cloud Times; Dirk Hembroff, WKMJ Radio; Tim Hennessy, KQHT Radio; Ken Landau, 103.9 FM The Eagle Radio; Todd Milewski, USCHO.com; Dan Myers, College Hockey News; Jess Myers, Inside College Hockey; Joe Paisley, Colorado Springs Gazette; Kevin Pates, Duluth News Tribune; Brian Posick, WIBA Radio/Badger Radio Network; Chad Purcell, Omaha World Herald; Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald; Wally Shaver, KSTP Radio/Gopher Radio Network; Jay Stickney, 87.7 The Ticket Radio; Eric Stromgren, Bemidji Pioneer; Mike Sullivan, KTOE Radio
(Note: Not all voting media members chose to participate in voting for the all-league team or individual honors. All 25 voters did submit a predicted order of finish.)
Legendary broadcaster Verne Lundqust ready to take your "Fan Mail" questions
By Tom Kensler
Verne Lundquist, the guest for this week's denverpost.com "Fan Mail" feature, was born in Duluth, Minn., and raised in Austin, Texas. But chat for a few minutes with the legendary sport broadcaster, and you'll get the impression that his heart lies with the state of Colorado.
Lundquist, 71, tells everyone proudly that he has resided full-time in Steamboat Springs for decades.
Ludquist's voice (he is affectionately called "the golden throat" by colleagues) became nationally recognized during his calls of Dallas Cowboys games and the Masters golf tournament. But he has called everything from bowling to figure skating.
Comments Off on Legendary broadcaster Verne Lundqust ready to take your "Fan Mail" questions
Categories: Fan Mail, Football, University of Colorado
Air Force, Front Range hockey wins with DU and CC moving to the NCHC
The Air Force hockey team isn't going anywhere, but with the substantial recent conference realignment announcements, the Falcons of the Atlantic Hockey Association are bound to benefit from the change. In two years, look for Air Force's schedule to include additional nonconference games against Front Range rivals DU and CC.
Air Force coach Frank Serratore said he spoke with DU coach George Gwozdecky and CC coach Scott Owens on Wednesday afternoon, after the official National Collegiate Hockey Conference announcement was made in Colorado Springs.
Nebraska-Omaha deserves to be among Original Six
COLORADO SPRINGS — Today's roll call to introduce the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference that will debut in 2013-14:
Denver, seven-time NCAA champions, perennial national power
North Dakota, seven-time NCAA champions, perennial national power
Minnesota-Duluth, defending NCAA champions, always tough
Colorado College, two-time NCAA champions, always tough
Miami, robbed of 2009 NCAA title, perennial national power
Nebraska-Omaha, future NCAA power
Right now, Nebraska-Omaha is in the shadow of the "Original Six," but make no mistake, the Mavericks belong in the NCHC.
WCHA statement about losing five more teams, seven overall
COLORADO SPRINGS — Please read more about our coverage of the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference at denverpost.com/colleges and in Thursday's paper.
Here is a release from the Denver-based Western Collegiate Hockey Association, which today officially learned that longtime members DU, CC, North Dakota and Minnesota-Duluth, plus Nebraska-Omaha, will leave the league and join Miami (Ohio) and possibly Notre Dame of the CCHA in two years.
The 12-team WCHA previously learned that it will lose Minnesota and Wisconsin to the new Big Ten hockey conference, also set to begin for the 2013-14 season.
Big Ten and "super league" hockey teams will need who they ditched
Wednesday's "super league" announcement in Colorado Springs will dramatically change the college hockey landscape, including how I cover the NCAA Tournament. The chosen ones — 2011 NCAA Tournament participants DU, CC, North Dakota, Miami (Ohio), Minnesota-Duluth and Nebraska-Omaha — will publicly announce their intentions to split from the WCHA and CCHA, respectively, and form a star-studded start-up league that they hope will eventually include Notre Dame by the time it debuts for the 2013-14 season.
On one hand, I love this move because the super league will make a fine non-conference scheduling partner with the Big Ten (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State). So the primary team I cover, DU, will mostly be playing big-time hockey programs on national or regional television.
The Big Ten will have the Big Ten Network, and the super league is rumored to have reached a deal — or will undoubtedly reach a deal with Notre Dame in the mix — with Versus/NBC to complement the network's NHL weekday coverage.
If that's the way it unfolds, I might have a better chance of covering Air Force in the NCAA Tournament than the Pioneers or CC Tigers. That is, if the NCAA Tournament doesn't tweak its computer selection model and increase the reward for strength of schedule and quality wins.
Ep. 4 — Talking Buffs with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit
Ep. 3 — Top of the South?
Ep. 2 — Are there are any quarterbacks left?
Ep. 1 — Are the Colorado Buffaloes for real?
Braden Koelliker joins CSU Rams men's basketball team
Potential names for Colorado Buffaloes next football coach after Embree fired — 53 comments
CU Buffs land Yuri Wright, another 4-star defensive back — 50 comments
Big 10 hockey conference OK by me — 46 comments
DU senior Jesse Martin suffers career-threatening injury — 43 comments
BYU likely will remain in MWC after TV saga is resolved — 39 comments
"One has nothing to do with the other…and your attempt to link them shows you don't understand the economics of either...."
— CUinHell
On Colorado State's new on-campus football stadium is taking shape
"Discojoe…you are likely a person who never competed for anything in life…were too afraid to stick your neck out and take..."
On Colorado State football adds Texas Tech to 2025, 2026 schedules
"Well, there are two losses. But hey–maybe they'll fill that new stadium for a change."
— discojoe
Terry Frei
Denver Post Writer
Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.
Posts by Category Select Category Adams State (4) Air Force Academy (65) Baseball (2) Big 12 Conference (25) Big Sky Conference (12) COFloods (2) College Basketball (528) College Football (73) College Sports (1,074) Colorado College (14) Colorado Mesa University (2) Colorado School of Mines (11) Colorado State (23) Colorado State University (960) Cross Country (3) CSU-Pueblo (10) Cycling (4) Fan Mail (22) Football (1,810) Golf (39) Hockey (170) Jim McElwain (3) Lacrosse (13) Metro State (10) Mountain West Conference (528) NBA (9) NFL (19) Olympics (7) Pac-12 (1,103) Podcast (4) Prep sports (89) Recruiting (180) Regis University (3) RMAC (14) Rocky Mountain Showdown (3) Running (14) Skiing and Snowboarding (2) Soccer (8) Swimming & Diving (1) Tennis (1) Track & Field (2) University of Colorado (1,776) University of Denver (522) University of Northern Colorado (16) University of Wyoming (41) Volleyball (17) Western State (2)
The Field House Archives
The Field House Archives Select Month November 2016 (1) October 2016 (3) May 2016 (2) April 2016 (11) March 2016 (16) February 2016 (3) January 2016 (4) December 2015 (10) November 2015 (26) October 2015 (40) September 2015 (20) August 2015 (9) July 2015 (7) June 2015 (8) May 2015 (14) April 2015 (7) March 2015 (8) February 2015 (11) January 2015 (13) December 2014 (30) November 2014 (52) October 2014 (54) September 2014 (39) August 2014 (63) July 2014 (10) June 2014 (7) May 2014 (14) April 2014 (28) March 2014 (37) February 2014 (24) January 2014 (31) December 2013 (33) November 2013 (57) October 2013 (66) September 2013 (76) August 2013 (56) July 2013 (14) June 2013 (14) May 2013 (33) April 2013 (25) March 2013 (47) February 2013 (36) January 2013 (31) December 2012 (29) November 2012 (82) October 2012 (92) September 2012 (120) August 2012 (87) July 2012 (25) June 2012 (8) May 2012 (18) April 2012 (30) March 2012 (84) February 2012 (67) January 2012 (53) December 2011 (29) November 2011 (122) October 2011 (140) September 2011 (142) August 2011 (128) July 2011 (53) June 2011 (63) May 2011 (59) April 2011 (52) March 2011 (112) February 2011 (103) January 2011 (107) December 2010 (43) November 2010 (113) October 2010 (112) September 2010 (85) August 2010 (121) July 2010 (55) June 2010 (21) May 2010 (13) April 2010 (27) March 2010 (64) February 2010 (44) January 2010 (31) December 2009 (19) November 2009 (15) October 2009 (15) 0 (190)
About The Field House
The Denver Post's Field House blog brings you daily athletics news from Colorado, CU, CSU, Air Force, Wyoming, Northern Colorado, University of Denver.
The Field House RSS feed


text:
//waterways
Chinese Investors Set Sights on Corfu Waterway
Chinese investors will be visiting the Ionian island of Corfu, on Sunday, to discuss collaborating with the operators of the Corfu waterway, which is the first and thus far only enterprise granted official licensing.
Red Tape Puts a Damper on Greek Waterway Network
The future of Greece's ambitious waterway network is drowning in red tape with the government failing to grant a single license in 2015, two years after a law paving the way for strategic investments was voted.
Patmos Port Authority Says 'No' to Hydroplanes
The Patmos Port Authority is blocking the creation of a hydroplane waterway on the island, which was currently in the last stage of the licensing procedure and expected to start operations in the summer of 2016.
Greece Assets Agency Eyes Agios Kosmas as Waterway Hub
The country's privatization fund, known as TAIPED (Hellenic Republic Asset and Development Fund), is examining the creation of a metropolitan waterway at Agios Kosmas, southern Attica, in efforts to boost tourism to the Greek capital, Attica's coasts and island seaside towns.
Prime Minister Underlines Importance of Greek Tourism
Tourism and uncertainty do not go together, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said on Friday from Rhodes in the context of New Democracy's pre-election campaign just two weeks until elections.
Construction of Corfu Waterway Gets Green Light
Environment minister Ioannis Maniatis recently approved the terms that will pave the way for the construction of the first waterway in Greece on the Ionian island of Corfu.
Hellenic Seaplanes, University of Piraeus Join Forces
A strategic alliance was concluded between the University of Piraeus and Hellenic Seaplanes last week, with the aim of providing the knowhow to the future executives of the waterway sector.
Hellenic Seaplanes Extends Waterway Network to Sitia, Crete
Hellenic Seaplanes has expanded its waterway network to include the port of Sitia, eastern Crete, the company said in a statement.
Hellenic Seaplanes National Champion At European Business Awards
Hellenic Seaplanes will represent Greece in this year's European Business Awards (EBA) as one of the country's leading companies.
Hellenic Seaplanes Named National Champion In The European Business Awards 2014/15
Hellenic Seaplanes has been selected as a National Champion representing Greece in the 2014/15 European Business Awards (EBA), a prestigious and independent awards competition, sponsored by RSM International.
Seaplane Flights In Greece Expected To Launch In May 2015
Hellenic Seaplanes will launch their first seaplane flights in Greece as of May 2015, the Greek company's vice president and general manager, Mihalis Asariotis, recently revealed.
Heraklion, Crete, To Host Conference On Seaplanes In September 2014
Canadian specialists in the seaplane market will share their know-how with Greek professionals at a conference scheduled to be held in Heraklion, Crete, in September 2014.
Yacht Show On Poros, Greece, Attracts Brokers From All Over The World
For the 13th consecutive year, during 2-7 May, the harbor of Poros welcomed international charter professionals, private yacht brokers, travel agents and tour operators and offered a broad display of 55 Greek-flagged luxury crewed yachts for charter.
Licenses For Waterways In Greece Expected To Be Issued Soon
Licenses for the creation of the first group of waterways in Greece are expected to be issued soon, according to the Greek Transport Ministry.
Slow-Moving Licensing Process May Stall Construction Of Waterways In Greece This Year
Although Greek company Hellenic Seaplanes is ready to begin constructing waterways in ports in Greece, the slow-moving process to obtain a license for their construction may put plans on hold for the 2014 tourism season.
Seaplanes Included On Greek Merchant Marine Minister's Agenda
Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said the Greek Government would offer its full support to the bill that simplifies the licensing and operation of waterways in Greek waters.
K2 Smart Jets, Water Airports Seal Deal To launch Seaplane Services In Greece
Two Greek companies recently joined forces in a bid to develop waterways across Greece and offer passenger transport via seaplanes.
Coastal Shipping Problems Trouble Greek Island Hoteliers
Greek ferry connections will not be reduced this year, the secretary general of the shipping ministry, Athanasios Bousios, assured Greek hoteliers at the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels' Board of Directors meeting held yesterday, 27 February.
Plans For Seaplanes Emerge Again
A joint ministerial decision with the Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Ministry to establish waterways in Greece (and this way attract seaplane companies to strengthen the transport of Greece's border areas) is under preparation, according to an announcement made by the...
PM Outlines New Tourism Measures
"We must give tourism a leading role in Greece's effort for development," the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises' (SETE) newly elected president, Andreas Andreadis, said to Prime Minister George Papandreou while assuming his presidency during the association's 19th General...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How set up a Gatsby Cookie consent banner with gatsby-plugin-gdpr-cookies My website gathers information for Google Analytics, so I need to include a Cookie consent banner for the users to opt in/out of.
I saw the plugin gatsby-plugin-gdpr-cookies and thought it looked perfect.
I've followed the startup and have it inside my config file. However I'm not sure what to do next. Do I need to create a banner component and link it all up somehow? I've tried to look around for other examples but can't see any.
Any help appreciated, thanks.

A: You have to combine a Gatsby plugin and build your own cookie consent banner or use a ready made component to achieve this.
First as AskaNor_29 suggested you need to install and configure the gatsby-plugin-gdpr-cookies plugin. You can get the plugin here.
Configure the plugin in gatsby-config.js
// In your gatsby-config.js
module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    {
      resolve: `gatsby-plugin-gdpr-cookies`,
      options: {
        googleAnalytics: {
          trackingId: 'YOUR_GOOGLE_ANALYTICS_TRACKING_ID',
          // Setting this parameter is optional
          anonymize: true
        },
        facebookPixel: {
          pixelId: 'YOUR_FACEBOOK_PIXEL_ID'
        },
        // Defines the environments where the tracking should be available  - default is ["production"]
        environments: ['production', 'development']
      },
    },
  ],
}

The second part is showing a cookie consent banner or modal so the user can make his choice.
For this you can use the react-cookie-consent npm module. You can get the npm package here.
To make it work with the gatsby-plugin-gdpr-cookies, you need to set the cookieName="gatsby-gdpr-google-analytics" prop.
Then you put the CookieConsent component in your layout.js file so it's activated on any page the user visits first.
<CookieConsent
          location="bottom"
          buttonText="Accept"
          declineButtonText="Decline"
          cookieName="gatsby-gdpr-google-analytics">
This site uses cookies ...
</CookieConsent>

The component takes many props so you can tweak the behaviour and looks.
If you want both Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel cookies to be set, there are callbacks for accepting/declining cookies where you can add your custom code to set both cookies.
If you're interested I wrote a longer how-to describing the steps.

A: From the plugin page

First of all the plugin checks in which environment your site is running. If it's currently running in one of your defined environments it will add the Facebook Pixel javascript by default to the  of your site. It will not be activated or initialized by this.
By default this plugin will not send any data to Google or Facebook to
  make it GDPR compliant. The user first needs to accept your cookie
  policy. By accepting that you need to set two cookies -
  gatsby-gdpr-google-analytics and gatsby-gdpr-facebook-pixel. Depending
  on the user input the value of each of the cookies should be true or
  false.
If the gatsby-gdpr-google-analytics cookie is set to true, Google
  Analytics will be initialized onClientEntry. Same is for the Facebook
  Pixel.
The page view will then be tracked on onRouteUpdate.

So you should build a banner component and set the cookies to true or false, it depends on the user choice.

A: Attention, I had an issue with tracking via Google Analytics. After a lot of research I found the solution in the reactGaOptions which is used under the hood by gatsby-plugin-google-analytics-gdpr.
Use the sampleRate option to enable 100% tracking so that also mobilephones will send the requests to Google. In normal mode it is set to 1% so in low bandwith you will loose a lot of user information.
reactGaOptions: {
  debug: false,
  gaOptions: {
    sampleRate: 100,
    siteSpeedSampleRate: 100
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
by Joshua Knelman
"You'll inhale this tell-all book about the tobacco industry and never look at a No Smoking sign the same way again!"
—Margaret Atwood, via Twitter
Mad Men meets Bad Blood in this addictive, behind-the-scenes globe-trotting narrative of moral ambiguity, law, public policy, and big tobacco.
"Given everything the lawyer knew up to that point about smoking, as far as he could tell, cigarettes shouldn't even have been available as a mass market product..."
It's the start of the new millennium and a young lawyer is recruited to work for an unnamed multinational company. It isn't until his second interview that the product the company produces is revealed to him: cigarettes. Possibly the most controversial consumer product in human history: seductive, addictive, and deadly—yet completely legal. Over the next decade, he travels the world as he works as legal counsel to help successfully market cigarettes in dozens of countries.
Firebrand ventures into the heart of the tobacco industry and the icy paradoxes of capitalism, each chapter a counterintuitive lesson on how cigarette companies—the target of increasingly intense anti-smoking campaigns and government regulations, including the 1964 Surgeon General's Report and 200-billion-dollar debt of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement—continue to pivot and thrive in the 21st century, inhaling profits from their one billion smokers worldwide.
As Mad Men did for the alcohol-fueled, oversexed, corrupt world of New York advertising, Firebrand does for the even more despised world of big tobacco, in an addictive, behind-the-scenes piece of storytelling. The lawyer's work takes him from manufacturing factories to hocking "sticks" at UK corner store counters; from tacky resorts in Spain and pirate city-states to luxury hotels and Grand Prix events across European and Asian cities. A contemporary tale of our ambiguous times, told with character-based drive and dry humour, Firebrand is a grand tour of the compelling paradoxes of globalization and corporate culture, shrink-wrapped in an engrossing narrative of a morally dubious yet completely legal enterprise.
"This is storytelling at its best. Wry observation, compelling narrative, fascinating characters, page-turning writing, and an age-old question driving it all..."
—Joel Bakan, author of The New Corporation: How 'Good' Corporations are Bad for Democracy
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Biography & Autobiography Business History Nonfiction
Penguin Canada
Joshua Knelman - Author


Three weeks post-baby, Sarah checks in on her return to exercise.
I designated Sunday as the day to start, and that afternoon I pulled my trusty black tights and fushia Nike shirt out from the way back of my armoire, dusted off the ol' running shoes, and...sat on the couch. After being SO motivated to get running again, all of a sudden I slipped into a panic. It had been over a month of being laid up with pelvis pain and the ensuing lack of willpower to workout, and I questioned whether I was really ready to get back into a regular routine. Besides, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was on and we had a fridge full of winter lagers from a party the previous day. Sunday Funday, anyone?
But, because I had made such a big deal about going out for a run earlier in the day, my husband, Mark, was not going to let me off that easy. With some cajoling from him and 4-year-old E, I finally headed out the door. 15 minutes in, I felt great. My lungs were burning, of course, but there were no aches and pains and I actually felt fluid. And even though I slowed down to a walk at the appropriate intervals, I was confident that I could have kept up a consistent running pace if needed. Yep, this wasn't going to be hard at all.
And that's when I totally bit it. I must have hit an uneven piece of sidewalk and, being my not-so-coordinated self, could not stop myself from plummeting to the cold concrete below with my right knee, elbow, and hip taking the brunt of the fall. In an effort to play it cool in front of neighbors, I quickly got back up on my feet and ran around a corner to survey the damage. It wasn't pretty¡ªI have a huge hole in my favorite tights and glove and a skinned knee and elbow¡ªbut I decided it wasn't worth running home for, either.
I had a good laugh at myself, finished the workout, and returned home to show off my gnarly road rash. Not sure if it makes me look like a tough runner or just a huge klutz, but I was able to impress my little ones none the less. And despite being bruised, battered, and a little sore, I'm ready for my next run! So bring it on...Bec, what's next?
**Check back tomorrow for Bec's response!


If you plan on renting a canal boat in France the first thing to consider is where in France you wish to travel. France has nine major cruising areas that cover much of the country. They all take you through fabulous wine country except in Brittany where they specialize in hard cider and in Charente where they turn their wine into Cognac. This is a no lose choice. Cruising through the French countryside is going to be fantastic at any point. When we were trying to decide, we chose our travel dates first and then chose a location. We chose the Canal du Midi because the south of France in mid September offered the best opportunity for warm and dry weather.
Once you choose where in France you want to cruise, you need to pick a starting and ending point. Le Boat (our charter boat provider) has five different boat bases on the Canal du Midi. I chose Narbonne as our starting point and the town of Trebes as our ending point. Starting and ending in different spots costs a little more but allows you to view the maximum amount of countryside. I chose Narbonne because the overnight sleeper train stopped there at 6:15 the morning of our first day on the canal.
Getting from Paris to any cruising ground is probably the trickiest logistical piece of the entire plan, not because it's hard but because there are so many options. You could fly to a large city, rent a car, take the TGV speed train or, like us, take a night train. The night train, to me, was a master stroke of genius. It allowed us to spend two full days in Paris, to cover a large distance of travel while we slept, and it delivered us to our destination all for less than the price of a hotel. I suspect sleeper cars on night trains are fading in popularity. The TGV has made the sleeper train too slow for most travelers but to me it was the perfect fit for travel and rest. For 55 euros per person we got a 1st class four bunk compartment from Paris to Narbonne.
Once inside we had a little wine and some snacks - you can see the size. Small.
When I told Sara we had a 1st class compartment she thought we were going to have a mahogany clad space straight out of the Victorian era, a la the Orient Express. But really 1st class just means four bunks instead of six. The compartment was functional, not fancy. It had two facing bunk beads that were covered in a quilted sleeping sack (like a sleeping bag but without zippers and much thinner) and pillow. Each bunk had a small travel kit of items: ear plugs, napkin, wet wipe, eye mask and a small bottle of water. Sleeping on a train isn't the best night's sleep you'll ever have but it's about 1000% better than sleeping on an airplane. When you get close to your destination the conductor activates a speaker in your compartment alerting you that the next stop is yours. I think they give you about 15 minutes and you need to be ready. Narbonne was our final destination but not the train's, so when the train comes into the station you've got anywhere from 3-5 minutes to get off. Otherwise….
One last note about the train service. The waste from the train bathrooms still spills onto the tracks, just as it always has, and therefore it is socially understood that you shouldn't use the WC (water closet/bathroom) in a train station. While there aren't any police or train officials checking it's just good manners not to leave your mess in town.
Looking down from the top bunk. I know this is blurry and if it makes you feel a bit queasy then you know what it's like waking up from a night on the train.
We arrived in Narbonne a little behind schedule but that wasn't a problem, since arriving on time would have meant being in town on a dark Sunday morning. As it was, about 45 minutes late meant that we were getting into some daylight and that the train station coffee shop was just opening – we were in sore need of some petite-dejeuner.
Le Boat's office in Narbonne is north of the train tracks.
The tasks set before us on Sunday in Narbonne were to find the Le Boat office, find the market so we could provision the boat, get the boat and start the main reason for this trip – cruising on a canal in the south of France. Narbonne is a well appointed little city and like most French cities it is easily navigated by foot – once we found Le Boat (thanks to the local information booth) we left our bags at their office and set off to the market. The Canal de la Robine cuts right through the center of the city leading south to the Mediterranean and north to the Canal du Midi. There are many small pedestrian and vehicle bridges that span the canal and a short walk from the Le Boat base we found a covered Les Halles market. This was a fantastic market where you could buy everything: toothbrushes, baskets, olives, fresh fish, cheese, meats, fruits and vegetables. Even though it was Sunday the market was busy. I imagine if I lived in Narbonne I'd visit this market every other day. It was simply a culinary delight, with everything I like to eat and I suppose by French standards rather common. We loaded up our shopping bags and walked back up the canal to our boat. We bought paper goods, crackers, wine and bottled water at a more generic general market about a block from the boat office. A note about wine – it's sold almost everywhere, every day of the week, and ranges in price from 2-8 euros a bottle. After visiting the market and seeing the selection, quality and good prices of their foods and wines I was very envious of the French lifestyle. And now, having seen their countryside, I'm convinced that every cell in my body is genetically French. I felt completely at home.
The main fresh food market in Narbonne - fantastic!
Normally you book your boat for a week. In our case we booked Sunday to Sunday. On arrival you'd get your boat at 4:00pm and upon departure return the boat at 9:00am unless you pay extra for early check-in and late check-out. We chose early check-in which allowed us to take the boat at 1pm. Arriving back at the base at 12, they said our boat was ready, I signed the paper work, we moved aboard, they gave us the run down of the systems, loaded our rental bikes, handed over the keys, a cruising map and gave us a short operational cruise (like about 5 minutes, it is really easy to drive these boats).
There are a wide selection of boats in a somewhat less wide price range. The most important consideration is the size of the party. We had four people so we selected a boat that had two full cabins each with their own toilet and shower. If we'd had more people we'd have selected a bigger boat. They range in size up to supporting eight with four cabins and four bathrooms all the way down to two with one cabin and one head. Most boats also have a convertible couch as well, so the total number could eke a little higher. Our boat had a full kitchen, double sink, pressurized hot and cold water, gas stove, oven, refrigerator and microwave all kitted out with dishes, glasses and flat ware. We had two steering stations – one up top and one inside. At the rear of the boat we had a seating area with table and chairs that looked out of a large sliding glass door. They also come with three large (about two feet long) iron stakes and a small mallet. You use these to "stake out" your boat along the canal. If you fancy a spot and want to stop or spend the night just pound a few stakes in and tie up. This was magic – parking anywhere along the canal was fantastic.
Having traveled from home to Paris to Narbonne we now had our boat and were headed up the canal to a week's worth of new adventures.
Our first day it was cool and windy. But once on the boat we were giddy - yes it really is this fun.
Next time: We'll visit a winery, clear our first lock, walk into small towns and talk about some of the dangers and hazards of boating through the French countryside.


If you are trapped in the wilderness, you must be equipped with the ability to survive whatever comes your way in the wilderness. If you have enough food and water for the night, you are most likely to have the highest chance to survive. However, you need to find shelter and other sources of food for the next days. After checking all these things and ensuring the means for your physical needs, there are still other important matters to look into.
Aside from physical needs, you also have to make sure that you are emotional, psychologically and morally alright. In order to keep your spirit up in the wilderness, you have to check these four things.
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to overcome misery in desperate situations. It is also one way to keep you busy as you talk to God. Moreover, prayer is a great means to express yourself. It brings hope in this kind of situation. Ask your mates to join you and make a sincere prayer of thanksgiving and supplication. Faith is one great thing that you need to keep your spirits up in the wilderness.
You are in a negative situation, but you can always find a way to spark a positive mindset for everyone. It is very important that you keep a strong fighting spirit. If you have a positive mindset, you will be able to think right. You can assess the situation and make plans. And if ever your plan didn't make it, you can easily cope up with the situation, plan again and implement plan B.
Without optimism, even if the problem seems solvable, you will be most likely to fail your journey and lose the spirit to fight. Lastly, positive mindset lets you raise your mates' spirits, too. You might even be increasing your chance of survival with this.
Before making your trip or journey, make sure that you have a contingency plan at hand. Plan ahead so you won't get upset or shocked in unlikely situations. Planning can be very beneficial, especially for unexpected and unwanted circumstances. A good contingency plan makes you alert and firm. Think of everything that may happen while you are in the wilderness and try to devise a solution for each of them.
A wise person is a person who always has plans. If plan A won't work- there are still 25 letters of the alphabet, from plan B to plan Z, for sure. Some of these plans will eventually work.
Being in the wilderness with other people may prove to be at your advantage, especially if they are your friends. It's true that you need to find more food and water, and build a bigger shelter. However, you get to do all these activities with them, which can make the experience more fun.
Still, there will be times when everybody else seems down. In such situation, you must encourage yourself first so you can encourage your mates. This way, you can all stay determined.
It is very hard to keep one's spirit's up in a dire situation. When everything seems falling apart and your hope is slowly loosening up, it's easy to get discouraged. This is a common attitude for everyone. However, you have to see the beauty in everything. As the old saying goes, "Everything happens for a reason." If you have these four things, you will find it easy to survive the wilderness.
Survival doesn't simply means getting out of the wilderness. It also entails overcoming difficulties and making you a better and stronger human being. It's not enough to prepare the things you need in your journey, you must also prepare your mind and spirit. You will never know when you will be lost or what you are going to encounter during your journey. If you succeed in keeping your morale high and never giving up, then you are a survivor!


text:
Blissful Bookworms
A literary space for all things bookish
Bibliophile's Haven
Short Story Centre
Fresh Voices
Literary Shifts
Home Short Story Centre 10 Best Short Stories To Read This Summer
10 Best Short Stories To Read This Summer
by blissfulbookwormsupdated on April 12, 2021 April 12, 2021
Let's be honest: the best way to spend the summer is to be out and about under the sun. We don't want to waste it by staying indoors because that's what the rainy season is for.
That's why it's probably best to ditch that thousand-word historical novel you've been looking forward to and get a handful of short stories instead. Why? Well:
a.) they're shorter so you'll have plenty of time left for the beach.
b.) they're just as meaningful and satisfying as novels.
c.) you'll have a variety of stories to read rather than sticking to just one story.
With that said, here are the ten short stories to read this summer.
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Let's kick off this list with a heart-pounding adventure where the hunter becomes the hunted.
In it, Rainsford finds himself stranded on an island and meets General Zaroff, a fellow hunter who has an insatiable blood lust. Let's just say it's not only animals that he's after. In a twist of fate, Rainsford must now navigate this island and do all that he can to survive the night. The suspense of this classic story is an excellent way to get you hyped for your summer activities.
"The Something by John Grisham" by B.J. Novak
John Grisham's books make for excellent summer reads. His exciting legal thrillers can perk you up at the beach or keep you on the edge of your plane seat on the way to your summer getaway. With that said, why not read a quick and funny short story that stars the lawyer-turned-novelist?
In this short story by B.J. Novak, Grisham's latest bestseller accidentally gets published under the name The Something. As expected, hilarity ensues.
"The Other One" by Tessa Hadley
Summer isn't always about mojitos by the beach. It's also about self-discovery, and sometimes self-discovery involves wading knee-deep in family secrets. In Tessa Hadley's short story "The Other One," the protagonist becomes acquainted with the friend of her late father's mistress by chance. As you can imagine, it's an uncomfortable situation to be in, but it's also a situation that brings peace eventually.
"The Still" by Adam Cesare
Horror isn't reserved for Halloween. If you don't believe me, read this story by Adam Cesare. From his collection Bone Broth Meal, it is about two boys who come face-to-face with the horrific source of their precious moonshine.
Despite the gruesomeness of the story, it perfectly captures that one summer everyone experiences where innocence is forever lost.
"The Maiden Voyage" by Tobias Wolff
An old couple celebrates their golden anniversary on a cruise. While on board, they meet a young couple whose principles and values are a world apart from theirs.
This clash of generations is not something we haven't seen before, but Tobias Wolff tells this story with such deep melancholy and longing. It rewards repeat reads and is a reliable source for your jolt of summertime sadness.
"The Swim Team" by Miranda July
The protagonist of this story – erroneously referred to the other characters as Maria – leads a swim class for a team of geriatrics during her time in Belvedere. It is as fun, quirky, and unique as it sounds. Since this is a piece by Miranda July, you really shouldn't expect anything less.
"The Prairie Wife" by Curtis Sittenfield
Ever wonder what happens to people after their sultry summer romances end? Curtis Sittenfield offers answers through this short story.
In it, Kirsten just can't seem to move on from her summer camp fling with Lucy. Then again, no one can really blame her; almost anyone would get hung up on someone if that someone owned a widely successful lifestyle blog and was all over social media.
Sweet and hilarious, Sittenfield shows us the downside of love in the summer.
"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid
Jamaica Kincaid's one-page wonder is a list of what not to do in order to become a lady worth respecting. The sarcasm and rage is so palpable that instead of feeling down because of society's restrictions on women, you feel empowered and ready to take on anything by the end of the story. That's always a good mood to be in, but most especially in the heat of the summer.
"A Good Man is Hard To Find" by Flannery O'Connor
Not all family vacations end with photos full of smiles that would end up on the living room mantel. Some of them – as Flannery O'Connor displays here – end in an early grave.
This classic follows a family who goes on a trip to Florida despite the grandmother's warnings about the recently escaped killer, the Misfit. Without spoiling too much, let me just say this: always listen to your grandmothers. They really know what's best for you.
"The Body" by Stephen King
I know this is cheating sort-of (this a novella but it's still part of Stephen King's short story collection Different Seasons) but I just can't leave this out of a list of summer reads. Stephen King's coming-of-age tale about four boys who decide to inspect the corpse of a 12-year-old masterfully illustrates the strength of friendship and what happens when innocence is lost.
Before heading out, make sure you have these stories packed along with your travel essentials to make this the summer you'll never forget.
Previous ArticlePromising Romance Authors of 2020
Next ArticleStorytelling—How It Is The Base Of Existence
Top Classic Short Stories With A Twist
Persian Short Story Collections To Add To Your TBR
The Most Unforgettable Characters in Short Stories
Boy Meets Humanity in Trent Dalton's Debut Novel 'Boy Swallows Universe'
Literature Techniques : Different Types Of Sensory Imagery (With Examples)
Fresh Voices of 2020 in Literature
Truth is Twisted in The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Literary Devices Bestselling Authors Use
Five Tried and Tested Methods for Writing a Novel
What Video Games Can Teach You About Writing
Diane Setterfield Demonstrates the Power of Storytelling in The Thirteenth Tale
Storytelling—How It Is The Base Of Existence
Promising Romance Authors of 2020
Bibliophile's Haven (25)
Fresh Voices (4)
Literary Shifts (3)
Reflections Of A Writer (1)
Short Story Centre (13)
© Copyright 2023 Blissful Bookworms. All Rights Reserved. Blossom Fashion | Developed By Blossom Themes. Powered by WordPress.