thank you to Steve Seeger and teams

[Rebecca]

<font color=blue>For those who don't know the specifics, ECRHA had a college event this past weekend at Action Sports in Pottstown and agreed to work with MLRH to have an MLRH game take place during our weekend event. This is the first time ECRHA has done a joint effort with any organization or given up rink time in an already packed weekend, specifically with an organization whose promotion of checking is in direct contrast to ECRHA's non-checking.

Just wanted to thank the Pottstown Firebirds and the Philly Sting and more specifically Steve and the refs, for a great game at Action Sports.

It was pleasant that the game was very well controlled by both the players and the officials and there were no fights and no injuries (ok, there was one small fight in the last minute of the game) but it was a great game! Thanks guys for setting a great example for our college guys, despite all that is heard about the "goonery" and promotion of checking in MLRH.

I had some great conversations with Steve about my views on checking and told Steve that when MLRH and PIHA can find middle ground, then I can consider how ECRHA might factor in.

So how long do we have to wait?

*Rumor mill anyone ::talks of any merging potential::?

Rebecca

[SpeedDemon]

As long as the mutual meetings happen once a week, at a bar, I'm in.

Seriously though, the recent games in the MLRH have seemed to take a more 'serious' tone if you can call it that. Players are starting to realize that you can actually be good and not play with reckless abandon. Take the games between the Firebirds and Sting this weekend as an example of that.

I also anticipate that PIHA will step up to a new level this upcoming season with the addition of some new teams and talent.

As for how ECRHA factors in, I'm not quite sure yet. As I said to you this weekend Rebecca, it's a shame that many college players are reluctant or don't have the means to play in either league. The talent pool is great and they would surely be an asset. Let's hope something can be worked out!

[NLane]

It was also nice to meet you and Mike and see the ECRHA operation "at work". Sounded like the fans were enjoying the college games and several college players were asking us about MLRH. It's great when inline hockey info can be traded between two factions of the sport. Hope you have great events for the rest of the season.

[MDE3]

Agreed it would certainly help both sides I am sure....not all the games are as well controlled as was the one you saw, but I believe MLRH is seriously looking into games which "step outside the boundaries", and trying to emphasize skilled hard play instead of goonery as a better way to promote the league and the game.

The whole fighting issue has to be addressed so it is not emphasized as part of the entertainment, but maybe accepted as a by product of hard play, and a legitimate way to police cheap shots.... as it should be. The more the players and the refs control the cheap shots then fewer fights will occur which are not a result of just squaring up to settle a legitimate beef.

The better the talent in the league, the better will be the entertainment value of the play itself, with less importance being placed on fighting as a way to draw fans, while still not banning all fighting completely.

[-venom-]

yeah, no banning fighting.

how else am I gonna make a team these days?

[SpeedDemon]

Waterboy?






Kidding! It sucked seeing you in a sling tonight man. Good luck with recovery!

[GROWL]

Press Release:

The Tour Growl have named their 2004 H20 specialist:

Water bytch: Bob Mooers

[GROWL]

Let's keep the rumor mill grounded atleast for now. Not to say that it's not a possibility or that it hasn't been talked about, but now is not the time for such discussion as both leagues are extremely busy at this time. Each league has so much to discuss right now and they each should get the attention they each deserve, let's not ruin what's going on now by getting greedy and overlooking the big steps both leagues have made this year. Best of luck to the MLRH and their upcoming playoff run and as a spokeman for PIHA, I promise an unbelievable third year.

[-venom-]

do I have to polish your head as well? If I do, I want a raise.

I'll tell ya what though, it *did* look awfully purty last night Ant...

[GROWL]

Speaking of awful pretty doesn't the locker room look damn good? I can't wait for a finshed product.