Dforde, I realize that 6-8 is the best we can hope for and is our reality. Believe me. I've lived and breathed the reality of this program for the 32 years that I've been living and breathing on this planet. I KNOW the tradition...and it doesn't have to be this way. I was there when....
...The entire crowd chanted "Wally! Wally!" (Was the 78 team better than the 84 team? Discuss!)
...George McPhee won his Hobey Baker (and Brian Holzinger won his!)
...Kenny Morrow and Mark Wells were Falcons and not immortalized on Banners or in a Disney Movie.
...John Markell was a FALCON and not a BUCKEYE!
...Brian Hills missed the penalty shot at the Joe that is famously featured in a picture on the wall of Munn Ice Arena. Goalies should NOT throw their sticks into the crowd!
..."One minute to the Joe! One minute!" Which signaled the kids running to the locker room door and the parents running to line up for tickets.
...Mike David taught me how to skate.
...The line to get into the arena was all the way out to Mercer Road...no matter who we were playing or what the weather was like.
...There was a snowstorm or two or three and there was still more people in the stands then there was last weekend!
...you had to step over people sitting on the stairs just to get to the bathroom and it was 10 deep around the glass.
...Sections A and H were the place to be...to be CREATIVE...to not steal cheers. "Weiss on Ice!" Buluah's Bugle anyone? (I know I spelled that wrong, I was a little kid, sorry!
)
...For FOUR LONG OTS! 'nuff said!
...For the THOUSANDS of people that welcomed that special team home...mohawks, beer hats and all.
...Marc Potvin (God rest his soul) throwing up some sort of purple liquid all over the ice and Jerry York wearing Soda thanks to the unruly WMU fans. "Daddy please don't get arrested!"
...ND was originally in the league and NMU was too...with a one man band!
..."GO GREEN! GO WHITE! GO SUCK AN EGG!!" 'nuff said!
...Michigan was horrible...yes, there was a time, pre-Red.
...you actually had to EARN a trip to the CCHA playoffs.
...PC took a puck to the throat, stayed prone on the ice for what seemed like FOREVER, got up-won the game and the CCHA playoff Championship and the MVP. I wonder if he still has those golf clubs?
...We lost the heart and soul of the team. RIP Terry!
...Truck got his nickname.
...All I wanted to be when I got older was taller than Kruzer!
...OSU's Pooley brothers...the CCHA's version of the Hansons.
...when a bunch of Freshman beat an undefeated MSU squad-ON A SUNDAY!
...and so many more memories!
Unfortunately, I have also been there when...
...the team finished dead last- again and again.
...the team had single digit wins year after year!
...the team was shut out as many times as they won one season.
...A former Falcon's little brother came to BG for a hockey camp, only wanting to play for BG and Paluch wouldn't even acknowledge him. Let's call this player Scrappy-Do.
...A Grandson/Son of an automaking giant broke his arm at the same camp, came back and the end of camp and was denied the one thing he wanted...a tour of the locker room/alumni room. His family could've written a check for a new arena for God Sake!
...A player was dismissed from the team, without merit or explanation. When said player asked for one, was told "JUST GET OUT!" With no eye contact, FYI.
...Listening to the senior speeches of '04-'05. One of them had the cahones to tell it like it is. The kid wasn't lying and he was EXACTLY RIGHT!
...word started spreading like wildfire around the Canadian leagues about what playing at BG was REALLY like!
...Two weeks ago when another tradition was single handedly destroyed. What's wrong Paluch? Are you worried about what the parents might hear? They aren't stupid.
...I could go on and on...and on...but you get the point.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! THIS IS NOT OK!! But I must be a glutton for punishment, because I'll still be there...long after the ship is righted again.
Go Falcons!
Erika
