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GAME NOTES AND MINOR OBSERVATIONS, MARCH 22
By admin | March 22, 2008
The final, final set of game notes for the 2007-08 season. Thank goodness. I love calling the games and all, but quite honestly, this season has not been much fun. I know the fans have had a tough time dealing with it. Try doing your best every night to make it SOUND good.
THERE’S STILL A PLAYOFF RACE
There’s still an intruiging playof race in the CHL. If Colorado loses tonight and Rocky Mountain wins, the Rage are in with the No. 2 seed in the North. As Greg Rajan points out, would you tank on purpose if you were Bossier? I would. If Rocky beats Bossier and Youngstown wins, Rocky is in.
Meanwhile, Texas, Youngstown and Memphisippi have their own race going on. Hopefully by the time you read this pointstreak is updated. Youngstown never finalized their game last night (I’m assuming Internet trouble) so the stats are not quite right.
Basically, if Texas beats Austin or at least gets a point, they have the No. 3 seed in the North. Youngstown and the Riverkings will then play for the 4 seed.
ON THE BOOB TUBE
Tonight’s game is on Televisa XERV-9/cable 19. The contract to televise the games, sponsored by Texas Ford Dealers, is up. I hope the Saturday games next season are on TV. Televisa has done a great job, so be sure to set your Tivo/DVR/VCR to record the game and your gleaming smile.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COLLEGE KIDS
Show up early and get a Bud Light baseball cap, and bring your checkbook to buy a jersey at the post game auction. All the proceeds are tax-deductible and go directly to deserving college kids in South Texas. STARS (South Texas Academic Rising Scholar) and L&F Distributors don’t take a dime from the auction.
THIS YEAR
There have been some positives from this season, both professionally and personally, as there always are regardless of the win-loss record. I’ve worked with, from a front-office perspective, a great group of people.
For someone that does what I do, having an owner and a GM that not only likes what you do (unless they’re lying to me) on the air but also understands the stupid hours you keep and the weird times you get game notes and things done (right now it’s 4:21 a.m., and we got off the bus around 2 a.m.)…well, it makes things good.
I am fully aware of some teams that require their radio/PR guy to be a desk jockey regardless of when they got off the bus or how many days in a row they’ve worked. They’re slaves, all for the “glory” of announcing minor league hockey games. I want to publicly, and openly, thank Troy and Grant treating me like a human being and allowing me to do what I need to do to get things done.
The coaching staff we have here is top-notch. Paul Fixter is one of the most engaging people I know. He is friendly, professional and generally a good guy. I’ve enjoyed getting to know his wife Leslie and also knowing that his parents listen to the games on the Internet. We’ve shared some funny stories and he has done little things, like pass on newspaper clippings about Kitchener (his hometown) native Milt Schmidt, the former Bruins great, that makes me realize he listens to what I say and appreciates my passion for the game.
On a professional level, he has kept me informed of what’s going on with the team, often times days before moves are made. I’m privy to conversations about player performance, moves, etc., that quite honestly, I have no business hearing. The tight quarters on the bus lend to that, but he could just as easily tell me to beat it and go to my bunk. I trust he knows that what I see and hear is filtered and never made public unless I’m given the go-ahead. Hockey-wise, I’ve learned quite a bit. Sitting down and watching video with Paul is amazing. He breaks things down in ways I’d never think of.
Sean Gillam has been my roommate on the road for the past two seasons. Going from a player to a coach is never easy, but I think he has done a fantastic job. Sean is not the most talkative guy in the world. But if you get to know him, you realize he speaks when he has something important to say. There’s no BS coming from him. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know Sean’s family. I’m actually a few months older than Sean, which surprised me when I discovered that. I have no doubt “Gilly” will be a head coach at some point, whether it’s here or someplace else, and I know he’ll do a great job.
I’ve also learned quite a bit about the game from him while watching video on the bus. He’s pointed things out that again, I probably wouldn’t have noticed or never verbalized. I have a pretty solid knowledge of the game’s history and also the technical aspects of it. But one of the most important things I’ve learned from both Paul and Sean is that the game really is simple. Types of plays, breakouts, defensive schemes, etc., that I’ve seen over the years but never fully comprehended have been explained to me. I hope that in turn makes for a better broadcast to give you, the fan, a better understanding of the game.
I can’t thank the two of them enough; I’ve always told myself when I decide to go and do something else for a living, I want to coach or ref youth or high school hockey. I squirrel away every little tidbit of info and strategy I can, using this experience as a bit of hockey grad school if you’ll allow that bad comparison.
I also want to thank my interns and unpaid help (Chelsea, April, Rachel and Elyssa, as well as my old pal Joey). They make my job so much easier and I can’t thank them enough. Thanks as well to Alex (basssssketball and all) and Dennis, my broadcast counterparts; Joe, Joey, Danny, Serge and everyone else at BMP Radio for making things sound good; and the folks at Televisa XERV-9 for caring and working to overcome the language barrier. Your work has helped hockey grow on both sides of the border.
As for the players, I like most of the guys as people. There have been some who have disappointed me as players that I really like off the ice. Other guys have sacrificed so much for the game. I consider some friends while I’m sure I’ll never talk to others ever again.
THE FUTURE
The coaching staff has already begun the arduous task of putting together next year’s roster. There are never any guarantees when it comes to winning and losing. I know Paul and Sean will do, and have done, their best to put a winning product on the ice.
Although I plan on being back for my fourth season here in the Valley, it’s no secret I would like to move up to the AHL or NHL and spend more time with my daughter. However, I can honestly say there are not many jobs in the AHL that I think compare to what I have here in the Valley. The NHL is, well, the NHL, but that’s a bit of a pipedream. At some point I know I have to go and do something else for a living. I hope fans continue to support the team, and hockey in general, here in the sub-tropics of South Texas. It is a great game, regardless of how the home team does, and I hope the kids who have done such a great job of representing the Valley in youth hockey stick with it.
DORADOS
It indeed is almost af2 football time and hopefully the Dorados can pull off the same type of season they did last year. I’ll look forward to hearing from everyone over the summer during the broadcasts.
Topics: Minor Observations, Game Notes |
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Rich,
thank you for your wonderful broadcasting. You have always made it exciting. I appreciate how you keep us in formed on what is going on with the team. It’s been a rough year for all, but looking forward to next season.
I love the game. I’ll miss the guys that won’t be here next year. I wish them the best. Paul and Sean have been so great with us at the Coach’s show. I still BEE-lieve!!!
Thanks again Rich, your awesome.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Thanks Rich for such good broadcast of the game when the team is on the road. I hope you do stay until that job comes along and as good as you are it will happen. You might even be broadcasting the Boston game over the radio your dream job. You do a good job with the coaches show I enjoy going watching you broadcast the show at RA’s this year. You ask the hard questions of the coach and he does give you the answer. Just keep up the good work we’ll see you tonight at the Hive.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 am
No lie bud, you do a great job. People don’t realize how tough your schedule is and this season has been as hard on you as anyone. Thanks again. You and Phil both amaze me with your dedication and we wouldn’t be the same without either of you.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Well Rich the season has come to an end, and what a season it has been! Thank-you for always calling it the way you see it and always keeping us in the loop. You have a great talent that will get you noticed but selfish me would like you here a few more years. All the best to you in the off season hope you enjoy Dorados football. Till the next “latest KILER BEE news” hits the website. We’ll be anxiously waiting next season.