January 26, 2004

London Calling

So here I am in London, land of fish and chips, bad teeth, theatre, and above all else, football. I've just closed a show at the Barbican to SRO houses. I've seen Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Bridge, the restored Globe Theatre, and countless other British cultural iconic locations. But the most amazing encounter i've had so far was as far from British as you could possibly expect.

I'm at our hotel, asking one of the concierges a question. Another concierge, apparently seeing my 1867 Canada ball cap and hearing my accent, asks me "Oi, are you really from Canada?"

No doubt an odd question, but I indulge him with a "Yes, as far as I know."

"You from Toronto?"

"No, Vancouver."

"Ah. Canucks fan?"

Here was my first pause. "Yes" I answered.

"Is Bertuzzi still playing for them?"

Again a pause. "Yeah, he is," I replied, "he's one of their superstars."

"Ah right. He started out with the Islanders, though, didn't he?"

Some models get paid top dollar for their faces, but the look on mine must have been priceless. Was this not supposed to be the land of Beckham, Owen, and Duff? Yet here I was engaged in puck talk with a pommie. Turns out he's a big Red Wings fan, has been since '93.

Go figure. God Save the Queen, but not early Sunday morning, cause HNIC is live in London. And apparently He's watching...

Posted by at January 26, 2004 10:57 AM
Comments

for the record, elvis rocks. both of them.

Posted by: pfg at January 29, 2004 07:31 PM

Although I do not recognize the name, when I read the first posting by "Hockey Lover Not a Fighter" I pictured a player from the leaner, more historic days of Sunday Morning Roadhockey. Perhaps this is one of those players making an effort to rekindle his involvement of the past glory days? Jay Suburb, you could clear this up for the latest wave of active roadsters, should you so choose.

Posted by: TheColonel at January 29, 2004 11:19 AM

...Since he put in two seasons of back-to-back victories almost every game...only to be knoked out by an injury.

Hes set the curve for every golie playing now and is still talked about constantly by the roadsters on a weekly basis.

Maybe there was some shakey-legged and shin-padded goalies of the past that stood out, but I bet they would pale in comparison to PFG's dominant play.

I know this is only my third season, but Ive yet to play with a more larsonous, driven and emotional goalie than PFG. That in my my mind would make him an icon -whoever you are.

Posted by: elvis at January 29, 2004 11:13 AM

Since when is PFG a RH icon? LOL

Posted by: Leavethebuilding...please? at January 28, 2004 06:41 PM

Wow, Suburb you really jumped to HLNF's defense pretty quickly...sorta makes me wonder...

I for 1 support PFGs venomous response. There's too many comments being made from behind a wall of annonimity.

If you're gonna take a shot at a RH icon, have the balls to stand by it.

Posted by: elvis at January 28, 2004 06:25 PM

Woh, woh, PFG. I think Lover/Fighter had his toungue planted in his cheek when he posted that, or at least planted somewhere ;-)

The staff here at roadhockey.net enjoyed your dispatch from foreign climes, a nice little glimpse into the international reach of the great game. Let's not turn it into a typing tirade.

Posted by: Jay Suburb at January 28, 2004 06:05 PM

Ouch! That piggy's got claws!!

Posted by: Hockey Lover Not A Fighter at January 28, 2004 01:26 PM

hey Hockey Lover not a FIghter:

a)the strength of a reporter is accurate observation and quotation. two qualities you do not possess. the english bloke you are quoting asked 'Are you REALLY from Canada?', implying that for some reason I may have been lying. thus my decision to 'indulge' him with a response. as well, those long pauses you refer to would not have been accompanied with 'eye rolling and loud sighs', as my pauses, clearly indicated by the tone of the story, represent surprise, not annoyance.

b) 'Hockey Lover not a FIghter'? first, learn how to type. second, get a real fucking name, one that we know. if you don't have the balls to back up your erroneous statements without hiding behind your name, get off the site.

Posted by: pfg at January 28, 2004 11:41 AM

:-) I remember a time when it was hard to find a Leafs game on, but now the irony is the other way around when I play too much hockey to watch anymore, not that I am a Leafs fan anymore either.

I know of a few English hockey fans that also play, but I get the impression they are few and far between. Maybe PFG should do a scouting mission to one of their rinks?

Posted by: Couch at January 28, 2004 11:12 AM

That's what he means. And I must say, nice one New Guy ... well put!

Posted by: TheColonel at January 28, 2004 10:38 AM

Do you mean HNIC should be called Hockey night in Toronto?

Posted by: Couch at January 28, 2004 10:02 AM

The next time the league sends an ambassador on a goodwill tour of Europe we should make sure he takes some etiquette lessons. Nice demeanor!

"Are you from Canada?" "As far as I know....." or another great quote "I indulge him....", ohhh well how big of you!

I think the reporter should been more accurate in his reporting by also revealing where the eye rolling and loud sighs occurred along side the long pauses.

Seems to this observer that our commish and his executive tour rats have come down with a nasty case of Bettman-itis.

Losing touch with the grassroots fans of the game maybe? I remember the days when the essence of this league WAS grassroots. Now all it is hype, gripe and elitist tours of royal regions.

Posted by: Hockey Lover not a FIghter at January 27, 2004 08:28 PM

I see Comrade Jay has no problem with his follow Soviet Bloc roadster placing non roadhockey blurbs on the page.

No offence pfg, in fact I enjoyed reading your post, please keep us updated.

Posted by: NewGuy at January 26, 2004 08:02 PM

So, PFG, I'm assuming you told this concierge of your "other" career, and of the roadhockey.net website?

BTW, the way Lak Attack has been playing between the pipes this season, you may have a tough time getting back into the lineup.

Posted by: Jay Suburb at January 26, 2004 06:13 PM

"God Save the Queen, but not early Sunday morning, cause HNIC is live in London. And apparently He's watching..."

Well no wonder he doesn't know where Bertuzzi is playing, he only gets to see HNIC.

Posted by: NewGuy at January 26, 2004 01:59 PM