14-below zero gives bragging rights to fans
John Herdan, the blog's St. Cloud correspondent, was busier than a two-peckered owl (the boys used that term in high-school, didn't understand it then either) last night at the St. Cloud-Alexandria hockey game, not only covering the action on the ice, but the social interaction in the stands. And he got his report turned in before school this morning! Here it is:
John writes: Lots of Alexandria fans braved the 14 below zero weather to travel to St. Cloud for the hockey game last night. The first two I spotted were Dave Harris and Tom Savegeau, up in the press box, with St. Cloud Cathedral athletic director Emmett Keenen. The game had actually started but Dave was stuffing his face with french fries. He mumbled something about not being able to broadcast until 7 p.m. and kept eating. I had a great talk with Tom who I shared the color commentary spot with on KXRA back in 1978-79. From the press box we were able to spot the Obert contingency cheering the Cardinals on. Ruthie could win the "most valuable fan" award as she puts her whole heart and soul into supporting the team. Let's hope she can keep it up all the way through state.
Between periods, Tom pointed out several Alex fans that I know and I got a chance to talk to several of them. He pointed out Pat Ellingson and Jackie J. I immediately rushed over to them. While it was nice to see Pat, Jackie was the center of my attention. She is the daughter of George "Doogie" Little, who we went to school with. Doogie, his wife Kathy, Jackie, and her brother Lonnie lived next door to us when we built our round house behind Bethany Home (more on that later). I actually have a picture of a very young Jackie holding our brand new son Michael (now 28) the day we brought him home from the hospital. The year I broadcast for KXRA, I got the Thursday tickets to the state tournament and took Lonnie. It was great to see Jackie last night.
Next I talked to Ted Justice, Danielle's dad. (Photo at left; his daughter is in goal -- click to enlarge) His family, as well as the Williams family, are our neighbors on Lake Latoka. Ted knew there was some reason he knew me, besides the fact he was a high school friend and hockey player with my cousin, Rob Amundson (and the late great Phil Smilanich). Then it hit him.... He had installed the carpet in our round house.
Between periods, Tom pointed out several Alex fans that I know and I got a chance to talk to several of them. He pointed out Pat Ellingson and Jackie J. I immediately rushed over to them. While it was nice to see Pat, Jackie was the center of my attention. She is the daughter of George "Doogie" Little, who we went to school with. Doogie, his wife Kathy, Jackie, and her brother Lonnie lived next door to us when we built our round house behind Bethany Home (more on that later). I actually have a picture of a very young Jackie holding our brand new son Michael (now 28) the day we brought him home from the hospital. The year I broadcast for KXRA, I got the Thursday tickets to the state tournament and took Lonnie. It was great to see Jackie last night.
Next I talked to Ted Justice, Danielle's dad. (Photo at left; his daughter is in goal -- click to enlarge) His family, as well as the Williams family, are our neighbors on Lake Latoka. Ted knew there was some reason he knew me, besides the fact he was a high school friend and hockey player with my cousin, Rob Amundson (and the late great Phil Smilanich). Then it hit him.... He had installed the carpet in our round house. "It's impossible to stretch carpet in a round house," he exclaimed. He still likes me anyway.
I talked to a few more people who's names escape me, but, needless to say, it was a fun evening.
