"Who knew that Mormon boys could play hockey?”

For my writing class we get to practice writing fun stuff. Being from Wisconsin and a fan of hockey this topic seemed only fitting. This was one of my news stories:

Jesessa Roney sat front row on a chilly metal bench just inches away from Plexiglas, the only barrier separating sweaty, pad covered men with mouth guards and ice skates, chasing after a black, three-inch rubber piece.

As the BYU goalie stopped Weber State from scoring again, Roney screamed and threw her hands in the air, contributing to the high noise level of the scarce stands.

Cow bells and corn rattlers could be heard amongst the yells and cheers, urging the team on.

While Roney claimed herself a loyal Cougar fan, who had not missed a home men’s basketball game all season, she attended her first BYU hockey game Saturday against Weber State.

The BYU men’s hockey team is a vigorous sport hidden at BYU and has one of the smallest supporting crowds.

“Before I didn’t even know BYU had a hockey team,” said Daniel Blake, a hockey fan convert just after his first game.

With approximately a third of the stands full, the number of Weber State fans was about the same as BYU students in attendance.

“They’re not crappy at practice; we just need to practice incorporating drills into scrimmaging,” said Evan Strobelt, a current BYU student practicing with the team.

Although the team winning statistics of the BYU men’s hockey team are not favorable, with a current record of 0-8, the crowd was enthusiastic.

The atmosphere of a hockey game seemed to be quite different that other BYU sports, including a riotous, interactive audience that cheered when hostile acts occurred on the ice.

“I thought I was surrounded by UVU kids or at the demolition derby,” Roney said.

The next BYU men’s hockey game is Friday at the seven peaks ice skating arena, yet Strobelt mentioned that the next great game will be in a few weeks against the U of U.

“Who knew that Mormon boys could play hockey?” Blake said.

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Posted By Blogger to Clarissa (explains it all) at 2/16/2011 04:28:00 PM