Life calls

There are times when life, as in being a daddy, entrepreneur or an employee, takes precedence over hounding an NHL team. Yesterday was one of those instances.

Unless the Tampa Bay Lightning completes a comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow, my 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign has come to a close.

The Hockey Life: Week 26

Just when I think the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign is coming to an end, the Tampa Bay Lightning shakes off the goal-scoring cobwebs Saturday and lights up the Pittsburgh Penguins to force a Game 6 back here in Hockey Bay.

At the least, it means another opportunity, schedule permitting, to have Gilles Meloche sign a pair of pucks. I missed him by five minutes last Wednesday morning.

Getting caught up in the spirit of the playoffs, I couldn't help myself from commenting on Saturday's game on Facebook. Among them:

~ Shhhh! Listen. It's Pittsburgh.

~ Scoring a power play goal is the best way to deter dumb penalties. Except, of course, if you're Kris Letang. Bolts 8-2.

~ Uh-oh. The Pens care coming back. The multitalented Michael Rupp scores from his butt. You gotta like players who don't give up.

~ I love the grumpy look on the blonde's face behind the Penguins bench. I've yet to see her smile all game long. She must be thinking "I paid how much for this?"

~ Lightning 5, Penguins 0. Steven Stamkos wakes up with his second goal. The rout is on. Let's go Bolts!

~ The Consol Center's lacking a little energy right now, isn't it?

Now, I don't have anything against Pittsburgh folks. I work with a few people from there. There's even a soft spot in my heart for the Pirates. It was just good to see the Lightning, a team that we've followed over our five-plus years here, respond to a challenge.

The next big test comes Monday, when we'll see if the Lightning can maintain the momentum and force a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh. If not, I'll man up and take any heat that comes my way.

What would you do?

Colin turns 10 Thursday, making it his first double-digit birthday, which, for that reason alone, makes it a pretty big deal. Though he'll get to open his birthday presents and head out to Cody's Roadhouse for his meal, we're waiting a week or so for his party.

The problem, however, is that he has a practice that night with the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars, his recreational league team. The Stars don't have any games left, but the rink owes them one more hour of ice time -- hence, the practice.

Compounding the situation, he has a two-hour travel-team practice Monday, a 90-minute skating session with me Wednesday before another hourlong travel-team practice at another rink and two travel-team games on Saturday. That's a pretty busy week, if you ask me, even without the birthday factored in.

I'm thinking, given everything else that's going on, there's no need for him to take part in the P.A.L. practice. He says he wants to attend the practice, as it's likely the last time he'll be a part of that team, one that he's served as an alternate captain this season. That appeals to the hockey dad in me. As a parent, though, I'm not so sure.

Quote of the week

"Hey, when's the last time the Sabres won a Stanley Cup?"
Colin, to me, after giving him some ribbing about the Boston Bruins falling behind early in their series against the Montreal Canadiens.

This is it

Unless the Tampa Bay Lightning win Saturday in Pittsburgh, I made my last ride over Tampa Bay of the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign yesterday. The rewards of the effort, however, were unspectacular.

Matt Cooke, serving a league-mandated suspension but traveling with the Penguins, was the only autograph I picked up in more than two hours. Love him or hate him, he's certainly worthy, considering his reputation, of having a puck. with it, it means the autographed puck collection stands at 2,302.

Of all of the players to take part in the morning skate, only Cooke, Deryk Engelland and Aaron Asham, took the time to sign. Every other player, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury, didn't sign, heading straight for hotel courtesy vans or the team bus. They may have signed later, but I wasn't there.

I missed out -- again -- on goalie coach Gilles Meloche by five minutes, relegating the Cleveland Barons and California Golden Seals pucks I had for him to storage.

The Hockey Life: Week 24

Well, folks, here we are at the end of the 2020-11 NHL regular season. Games today decide who keeps playing and who goes home. Some players will begin their beards. Others, far fewer in number, will be hitting the links.

Down here in Hockey Bay, our hounding campaign extends for the first time in four seasons. We couldn't have a better draw, either, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and all that means, meeting the Tampa Bay Lightning.

At the least, we'll get another crack or two at Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury and, if we're lucky, Evgeni Malkin. Now, I'm not guaranteeing we'll get all three to sign, but I'll be happy with just one from any of them.

For the most part, and I pass this advice along to those just getting in the game, I'm going in with low expectations. If I don't get any of them, well, I have no reason to be disappointed. While it would be nice to snag a few, I don't base a trip or a season on two or three autographs.

Instead, my major target will be Penguins goalie coach Gilles Meloche. I bought Cleveland Barons and California Golden Seals pucks for him. If successful, those would be the first for each team of more than 2,300 autographed pucks in our collection.

As for the others, they'll be in the NHL for a long time. I'm certain, too, our paths will cross again. You have my word I'll be ready.

Road trip report

The ride south to Estero was long. The two games were a little longer, too. It seems we played two of the better teams in the Central Florida Hockey League. Let's just say we know how far we need to travel, so to speak, to become more competitive.

A certain someone also realized just how much effort it takes to play at this level. There's no striding and gliding, only skating hard. There's no standing around, only constant motion. Easy games, he learned, are a thing of the past.

To his credit, he played forward on a successful 5-on-3 penalty kill. As for fun, there's little to have when you're getting your fanny handed to you. In time, I'm sure he'll have some.

Win or lose, though, I want to thank the Hound Central 5.0 readers who indulge this hockey dad's sharing of his son's exploits. I know he's one of many, many thousands of kids with the same dream.

I'm hoping Saturday's games opened his eyes.

Quote of the week

"We can't win all of the time. Someone else has to win every once in a while."

Scott Clemmensen, Boston College hockey alum and Florida Panthers goalie, when asked what happened to the defending NCAA hockey champion Eagles this season.

Team report: Pittsburgh Penguins II

All things considered, we should have stayed home last Thursday and not embarked on a hounding adventure for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It rained most of the day. The moisture affected my silver Sharpies. And I wasn't patient enough to wait another 15 minutes for Sidney Crosby.

But with circus known as the Penguins in town and Colin off on his spring break, I ignored that nagging, little voice in my head and made the trip. What's the worse that could happen, right?

Well, we had the nastiest storms of the year, with tornadoes reported throughout the Hockey Bay area. And, then, while truly enjoying our time at the Glazer Children's Museum, Moody called to tell me that Crosby, returning from his first morning skate in months, signed not one, but two items before dealers bumrushed him.

Am I complaining? Just a little bit, I suppose. The weather could have been nicer. And Colin could've gotten his 2010 Canada Olympic hockey gold medalist McFarlane base signed by Crosby. Then again, I did get to spend the day with my son, doing something we love.

The hounding, really, wasn't all that bad, as we added 19 autographs, including 15 cards. Later that night, we watched the Tampa Bay Lightning clinch its first playoff appearance in four seasons.

All in all, it was a pretty good day.

Signing pucks, shown above from left, were Tyler Kennedy and James Neal.

Signing cards were, from left, Pascal Dupuis, Eric Godard, Brent Johnson and Mike Rupp.

Other highlights from a rain day:

~ Commemorating Maxime Talbot's Stanley Cup-winning goal;

~ having Tyler Kennedy pull double duty for us; and

~ putting specialty set cards to good use.

Good for starters

Rather than try to cobble together a set of team-signed Stanley Cup champion pucks for the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, for reasons financial and realistic, I'm trying only for key players from that season. In this case, it's Maxime Talbot, who scored the Cup-winning goal.

Beyond the norm

Who among us doesn't have boxes upon boxes of hockey cards that you're unlikely to ever get signed? I do. It comes with the territory, I reckon, of being a collector.

One type of card I'll make an extra effort to get signed comes from a specialty set. These can be rookie stars, American Hockey League team or prospect sets or even one from the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

This variety of specialty cards proved handy when the Pittsburgh Penguins came calling upon Hockey Bay last week. Signing them were, from left, Mike Comrie, James Neal and Maxime Talbot.

The Hockey Life: Week 23

Later this week, Saturday to be specific, Colin takes the first step in the newest chapter of his youth hockey career -- playing in his first travel-team game for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning. Rather than playing in the confines of his home arena, we'll be hitting the road.

Being new to this aspect of the game, we're looking forward to playing in new rinks. Part of the allure will be making the rides -- some longer than others -- to play new teams at different rinks. If it means a two-hour ride south, so be it. Same, too, for two trips later this spring to the Orlando area.

That's why it's called a travel team, right?

When we received the spring schedule last week, part of a teamwide e-mail blast, it meant that any response to that message would be received as well. Unfortunately, one response caught me off-guard: "Why are we getting HOSED with all the travel?"

Though I can relate to the many miles of highway travel that await us, it seems a bit odd that a parent who willingly pays for their child to play on a travel team is lamenting the need to travel. To me, the parent, and not the child, was whining.

Given that two youth hockey organizations combined to form one team, meaning 42 kids were competing for only 20 to 22 skating positions, there were a number of kids who didn't the team. For every family that felt the excitement, there were nearly as many who were disappointed.

To Mr. Whiner, I'm sure there is at least one family who would be willing to trade places with you over the next few months. Besides, it's about the kids, not us hockey parents.

If you want to stay home, sir, do us all a favor, please: just let the organization know.

Thanks Pat

Anyone who lives in the Hockey Bay area knew that last Thursday brought some severe weather to the area. Nine tornadoes were reported. A truck flipped over on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Thousands, as of Saturday, were waiting for electricity to be restored.

Though we may have gotten a bit damp dodging raindrops while hounding the Pittsburgh Penguins that day, it was to be expected. Sure, the overhang outside the hotel afford some protection, but strong winds pushed the rain sideways at time.

Where we didn't expect to get wet, though, was inside the St. Pete Times Forum later that night as we watched the game. Unfortunately, that's what happened as a steady drip fell on our seats.

After a few minutes, The Missus got up and found an usher. A supervisor offered her a seat in another section. Seeing that we didn't want to split up for the rest of the game. We ended up each sliding over one seat to the right. It didn't help.

This time, I went down and spoke to the usher. I was told to wait for a few minutes and the supervisor would return. Well, five minutes became 10. Ten minutes became 20. Needless to say, I was less than thrilled.

Finally, Pat, the supervisor arrived. I explained the situation, as The Missus had about 35 minutes earlier, and told her that we were less than satisfied with not only the situation, but the poor customer service as well. Pat asked for another few minutes.

True to her word, Pat soon returned. We gathered ourselves and belongings and followed her. At first, we thought we'd be moving to another section. Instead, we headed for an elevator. A quick ride down two floors and the doors opened to the club level. From there, Pat led us to an all-inclusive suite, complete with all-you-can-eat-and-drink service and leather seats. After out initial surprise, we repeatedly thanked her.

From where I sat, Pat made one heckuva save. It's nice to know that the Tampa Bay Lightning, under new ownership, cares about its fans.

Quote of the week

"Let me guess, Sidney signed?"

Puckhound, to Moody, upon getting a call less than 25 minutes after leaving the team's hotel and heading over the the Glazer Children's Museum with Colin. And, yes, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby signed for a few people before dealers bumrushed him not once, but twice. Moody, by the way, got a pair of autographs out of Crosby.

Team report: Pittsburgh Penguins

Last season, I refused to take part in the circus that was known as the Pittsburgh Penguins. It wasn't just because of the team's big names. No, it had to do more with them being the then-reigning Stanley Cup champions and the big crowds that flock to the team.

This season, though, we'll make two trips out for the Penguins. The first came in October when the Penguins arrived a few days early for a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While that may not seem out of the ordinary, strange circumstances turned the day into a bit of a circus.

You see, it wasn't just the Penguins who were staying at the Westin Harbour Island hotel. The Nashville Predators, also in town to play the Lightning, were staying at the same hotel. Thanks to some shared intel, we had items for both teams that Sunday.

All told, we added 75 autographs, including 32 from Pittsburgh, in our best day, so far, of the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign. For the record, I added another two before the Penguins' game-day morning skate. By then, the team had been pounded and hounded for three days and ignored most requests.

Signing pucks, shown above, were:

Top row: Mike Comrie, Alex Goligoski and Chris Kunitz; and
Bottom row: Paul Martin, Zbynek Michalek and Eric Tangradi.

Players signing cards, shown above, were:

Top row: Comrie, Eric Godard, Goligoski and Brent Johnson; and
Bottom row: Tyler Kennedy, Kunitz, Kristopher Letang and Evgeni Malkin

Also adding to the stack of cards were, from left, Michalek, Brooks Orpik, Jordan Staal and Maxime Talbot.

We also put a cheap skate card to good use for Tangradi.

Other highlights from hounding the Penguins:

~ Colin scoring autographs from Sidney Crosby and Malkin;
~ Getting a scribble from Malkin; and
~ Doubling up, so to speak, on Gilles Meloche and Tony Granato.

Doubling up

In part of our bid this season to add former NHL players to the autographed puck collection, Colin was quick to add Gilles Meloche, top, and Tony Granato, part of the Pittsburgh Penguins' coaching staff, during the team's extended stay here in Hockey Bay recently.

Next trip, we'll try to get Meloche on California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons pucks and Granato on Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks pucks.

The Hockey Life: Week 2

When doing my research for any future hockey-hounding adventure, I always look for some sort of personal connection between us and NHL players.

Birth dates are one of the first connections I explore, looking for one that's shared between us and a player. Then, I'll look at hometowns, hoping to find a commonality, such as a city or state that we've lived in.

When getting ready for the New York Islanders recently, defenseman Mike Mottau's hometown of Quincy, Mass., caught my eye. We lived there for a few years during our most recent stint in New England.

Mottau's eyes lit up when I asked if he'd be willing to say hello to a fellow Quincy kid, a certain 9-year-old hockey pest in training who, despite being born at a hospital a couple towns south of Quincy, still spent the first two years of his life staring out a sliding glass door of our condo at the Quincy shipyard.

"Sure," Mottau said, "I'd be more than happy to do it."

As you can see, the Quincy boys posed for a photo. Mottau also signed this puck to commemorate the occasion. We'll ask Mottau to sign this picture for Colin when the Islanders return in March 2011.

Here you go, guys


Too many times, we've been on only the receiving end when it comes to hounding. It's something, I suppose, that comes with the territory. Leave it to Colin, though, to change it up.

While we waited for Tampa Bay's Ryan Malone and Mike Smith to arrive for a signing session Thursday at the Champs store in International Plaza in Tampa, Colin drew pictures to give the players.

For Smitty, it was a new design for his goalie equipment. For Bugsy, it was a picture of him scoring a goal. Both got quite a kick out of the drawings, thanking Colin for his efforts.

Intense rivalry

If you ever told me I'd be totally entertained at a high school hockey game, I'd likely tell you that you've flipped your wig. After attending the Palm Harbor University-East Lake game Friday night, I'd have to apologize and thank you for the tip.

Going in, I'd heard that these two teams aren't real fond of another. I was warned, too, that we might encounter some language unfit for grandparents and a certain 9-year-old. What we encountered, however, was a fast-paced, action-filled game that was truly entertaining.

Even better, there was no admission fee. Can't beat that deal, can you?

Line of the week

"Do you know who I am?"
Pittsburgh's Ben Lovejoy to a Hockey Bay Hound asking to get a photo with the young defenseman.

Poetic justice

Seeing that the Chicago Blackhawks can close out the Philadelphia Flyers tonight to claim Lord Stanley's Cup, I figured it was about time to share the results of the latest Hound Central 5.0 poll. In it, HC5.0 asked what was a bigger upset earlier in the playoffs -- the Montreal Canadiens beating the Washington Capitals or the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When it comes down to it, the results were hardly surprising.

Given the the Caps seemed destined to win the Cup, HC5.0 readers overwhelmingly picked the Habs' stunning upset as far greater than the club's follow-up act against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I must admit that I was pulling for the Canadiens in both series, but more so against the Caps. There's a certain smugness among most of the Capitals, beginning with Alex Ovechkin down to, if you can believe this, Shaone Morrisonn, that made it very easy to root against them. I still smile at the thought of the long faces on the Caps' bench as the Habs celebrated the upset. Good stuff, I tell you, good stuff.

Bottom line? Ovie's a great player, but not the kind of guy who will win championships. It was a huge mistake, I believe, when the Capitals named him captain. He's far too selfish, and self-centered, to ever be a team guy. Maybe he'll learn that with age. I doubt it though.

Question: Bigger upset?

Habs over Capitals: 17 votes out of 24 cast (70.8 percent)
Habs over Penguins: 7 votes (29.2 percent)

Oh, yeah, before I forget. The Flyers will force a Game 7, but the Blackhawks will lift the Cup. Dustin Byfuglien scores the Cup winner, too, tossing the puck to Chris Pronger, so "Chrissy" can add add it to his collection.

Basic requirement

When it comes to adding to Threads, a 2009-10 hockey-hounding campaign featuring jersey swatch cards, the only thing that matters is getting the card signed.

In these two cases, in which the New York Rangers' Olli Jokinen, above, and Erik Christensen added to the project, it makes no difference if the cards show both playing for different teams.

Sure, it would be nice if the cards showed them decked out in their Rangers duds, but they don't. I'm more than happy that we got them signed, no matter what jersey they're wearing.

10 Questions: Ian Moran

Ian Moran started his National Hockey League career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993-94 playoffs and stuck with them for several years. He also played for the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks as well as teams in Europe. He left the NHL after the 2007-08 season.

More recently, he is a partner at the Voila Group, a sourcing and brokering company in Massachusetts.

Moody, Hound Central 5.0's senior correspondent, had the honor of meeting Moran when he played for the Penguins. He was kind enough to sign this card for him.

In this new feature, Hound Central 5.0 asks NHL players -- past and present -- a few questions about their views on autographs. Moran was the first to respond, giving us a few minutes of his time. We truly appreciate the opportunity.

Hound Central 5.0: Did you collect cards/autographs as a kid?
Ian Moran: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Is signing autographs fun or a chore?
Ian Moran: Great to sign for kids who are excited

Hound Central 5.0: What's the weirdest thing you've ever signed?
Ian Moran: Skin

Hound Central 5.0: Do people still recognize you in public?
Ian Moran: Yes

Hound Central 5.0: Can you tell the difference between autograph dealers and collectors?
Ian Moran: Yes, very easy to do

Hound Central 5.0: Does it really matter if someone is a dealer?
Ian Moran: I don't really care, but I do not like it when they are "using" kids to get what thay want

Hound Central 5.0: Would/do you sign blank pieces of photo paper?
Ian Moran: Yes. Autograph is different from signature

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person to ask for your autograph?
Ian Moran: Tim Robbins

Hound Central 5.0: Most famous person you've asked for an autograph?
Ian Moran: I haven't asked for one since I was a kid

Hound Central 5.0: Black or blue Sharpies?
Ian Moran: Doesn't matter

Hound Central 5.0 and its correspondents thank Moran for his time in answering these questions. We appreciate his efforts, on and off the ice.

Moody's Olympics Gold: Team Russia

Team Russia Last won gold in 1992, but finished fourth at the last Olympiad held in Torino, Italy. Of the 23-man roster, I've managed to get 13 players from the partially NHL-filled squad.

Cards signed by some of Team Russia's players:

Top row: Montreal's Andrei Markov and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov; and
Bottom row: Pittsburgh's Sergei Gonchar, Washington's Alex Semin, and Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov

More cards signed by Team Russia's players:

Top row: Russian Federation President Vladimir Tretiak, Columbus' Fedor Tyutin, Phoenix's Ilya Bryzgalov and Salavat's Victor Kozlov; and
Bottom row: Washington's Semyon Varlamov, Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, Edmonton's Denis Grebeshkov and Salavat's Dmitri Kalinin.

Atlanta's Max Afinogenov.

New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk

Most of these items have been signed over the past two seasons, either in Hockey Bay, Atlanta or South Florida.

Moody's Olympics Gold: Team Canada

Team Canada won its last gold medal in 2002, but failed to medal in the last Olympiad, earning only a seventh-place finish. Of the 23-man roster, I've managed to get 21 players from the NHL-rich squad, only missing out on Philadelphia's Mike Richards (kinda) and Dallas' Brenden Morrow

Cards signed by some of Team Canada's forwards:

Top row: Anaheim's Corey Perry, Columbus' Rick Nash, San Jose's Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley; and
Bottom row: Calgary's Jarome Iginla, Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Boston's Patrice Bergeron.

More cards signed by Team Canada players:

Top row: Philadelphia's Chris Pronger, Anaheim's Scott Niedermayer, Chicago's Duncan Keith and Los Angeles' Drew Doughty; and
Bottom row: San Jose's Dan Boyle, Chicago's Jonathan Toews, San Jose's Joe Thornton and Carolina's Eric Staal

Even more cards signed by Team Canada players:

Top row: Vancouver's Roberto Luongo; and
Bottom row: Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Nashville's Shea Weber and Chicago's Brent Seabrook.

Most of these cards have been signed in the past two seasons, either in Hockey Bay or South Florida.

Concerning Richards, I do have an autograph from him. Unfortunately, though, it's on a wrong card.

Four-banger

From the moment I pulled this Mark Recchi quad jersey card from a pack of 2008-09 Black Diamond, I knew I had to get it signed. It was way too funny, if you ask me, not to. Just look at it.

Let's see, the card, now a part of the Threads project, feature swatches from one of Recchi's Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys, shows him as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers and, because he was with Tampa Bay at the time of its production, has the Lightning logo tucked in the bottom left corner.

The kicker: He signed it Thursday as a member of the Boston Bruins.

You know you'll hear "no"

It's no secret among Hound Central 5.0 readers that the two NHL teams with the game's brightest young stars are the roughest to hound in most every place but their home cities.

The Pittsburgh Penguins -- featuring Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury -- and the Washington Capitals -- with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green -- drew significant votes (a combined 87.3 percent) in the most recent Hound Central 5.0 poll.

Really, though, are we surprised? Teams like these draw dealers, hounds and fans out of the woodwork. It's one thing to sign for, say, a dozen or so people. How about facing a crowd of 30-plus people? In a way, I don't blame them. Do you?

Question: Roughest NHL team to hound?

Pittsburgh Penguins: 28 votes out of 55 cast (50.9 percent)
Washington Capitals: 20 votes (36.4 percent)
Boston Bruins: 4 votes (7.3 percent)
Detroit Red Wings: 2 votes (3.6 percent)
Anaheim Ducks: 1 vote (1.8 percent)

Sunday morning homily XIV

Well, I did it. I came out of retirement last week, for what I'd thought would be one game only, and played a little street hockey with Colin's teammates. Don't believe me? Well, I got a fat lip to prove it.

Early on in the "game" at the Police Athletic League's recreation facility in St. Petersburg, pulling a shift as a defenseman, I took a street hockey ball right in the kisser. I saw it coming, but didn't have time to flinch.

Thankfully, I had my mouth shut, so there was no damage to the chiclets. Just a little cut inside a swollen lower lip. Like a real hockey player, though, I spit once to check for blood (didn't notice any) and kept on playing. Didn't embarrass myself, either. Well, maybe just a little.

The fat lip, as well as some minor aches and pains the following day, won't deter me from joining Colin more often in playing hockey. Mostly, though, I have to drop another 50 pounds or so before I dare get back on the ice. Until then, street hockey will have to suffice.

Maybe, next time, I'll wear a helmet and cage.

Just curious?

So, how did everyone do hounding the Pittsburgh Penguins yesterday down here in Hockey Bay? Did I nail the situation on the head, validating the decision to avoid the circus, or did the reigning Stanley Cup champions make a fool of out me, and sign each and every item placed in front of them?

I'm particularly interested in hearing if anyone got autographs from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury. Of the three, I'd expect Fleury would be the one to sign.

If anyone had a good day with the Penguins, send me an-email and I'll include it in the upcoming Your Turn II.

Dang, it's cold out

Thank goodness the Tampa Bay Lightning hit the road this week. If not, Hockey Bay hounds would have to bundle up before venturing outside. All this week, we'll be lucky if daytime highs reach 60 degrees. Overnight lows in the 30s are expected, too.

No, I'm not whining, as it wasn't all that long ago that I dealt with true bone-chilling cold of wicked New England winters. And, yes, I know it gets much colder up North and in Canada. It's just that we're used to much warmer temperatures -- such as the 70s -- in early January down here in Florida.

I blame it on the snowbirds flocking to Florida. They arrive in such great numbers. I believe, that they create a vacuum and bring the cold temperatures with them.

We'll be staying home

Even if I didn't have to work this morning -- and, by God, I have to be in by 9 a.m. -- I doubt I'd make the trip out to hound the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. In fact, I wouldn't even ask The Missus and Colin, my two more-than-capable surrogates, to head over to Tampa to see what they could get.

For these reasons, it's simply not worth the hassle:

~ Champions or not, the Penguins always draw a crowd. It seems like every wannabe hound, fair-weather fan and know-nothing dealer within 200 miles finds its necessary to join the regular crew -- hounds and dealers -- who show up team after team, day after day. I have nothing against these Sharpie-come-latelys, but their absence of knowledge and hounding etiquette is something I prefer to avoid.

~ The Penguins, themselves, have been a rough team over the past few seasons. In a way, it's understandable, given the star power of such players as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and, to a much lesser degree, Jordan Staal. But when you get schlubs like Tyler Kennedy and Kris Letang, among others, giving you a hard time, well, it makes you wonder who's been filling their heads with helium, regardless of their names sullying Lord Stanley's hallowed hardware.

~ It's a Saturday matinee, meaning it's highly unlikely the Penguins will have a morning skate. This means the only opportunity you'll have today will be at the gametime bus, which will leave by 12:45 p.m. If you're lucky, some players might take a stroll to get a cup of coffee. For the most part, though, they'll stay inside, especially after being tipped off by the advance scouts.

Instead, we'll have our own hockey day today in Hockey Bay. Colin has a skate-and-shoot session at his home rink and, if schedules mesh, will skate for another two hours. Though his next hockey season starts in a few weeks, his first practice -- one that will be dominated by skating drills, according to his coach -- is Tuesday night. And as any hockey parent knows, you take ice time any time you can get it.

For those of you foolish/desperate enough to run away and join the gameday circus, here's what you'll need to know: Just look for a crowd outside the Westin Harbour Island hotel (or the Marriott Waterside or Embassy Suites) and arrive by 11 a.m. today.

This time, though, remember to bring a Sharpie. Have fun.