GORDIE HOWE..A NO SHOW

by Richard Cranium

The Gordie Howe Day scheduled for Friday January 16th at the Ice Oasis has been cancelled.

Howe was suppose to play with the Otters in their 10:45 pm game versus the Falcons, sign some autographs and then hang out with the players afterwards at Yack's Grill.
Howe is to be in the area with the Detroit Red Wings who are playing the Sharks on Saturday the 17th.

"When I heard that the Ice Oasis still didn't have beer, it was a no brainer," said Mr Hockey. "I just can't be at a place that has that lack of respect for the hockey atmosphere."

Howe's west coast liaison, Otter Tommy Muthig, was visibly shaken on the news.

"There are very few opportunities like this," said the Michigan native. "I mean what does it take to get some beer in here. I was so looking forward to suiting up with Gordie."

The game would have given Howe another chance to play in his 7th decade. There is also some speculation that Howe was hesitant to play in a rink that has overhead lights out.

"The rink doesn't have the budget yet for burned out lights," said ice jockey Tirso.
"The management knows about the light that is out over the visitor's bench but they have a system on spending money right now. They go in alphabetical order. They are on the C's. They put down carpet on the stairs leading up to the grill. The letter L unfortunately is a ways off."

The unavailabilty of beer hasn't hurt the Otters but the Wednesday night team, Desert Dogs, has been reeling. In their last five games they are winless with a record of 0-4-1.

"We have new players on the team, some from the Thursday night league," said GM Aden Nolet. "It's importnat that they learn to bond together not only on the ice but off the ice too. The team is now 6-7-1 with a possible 8 games left before playoffs. There is a definite need for them to have some laughs while drinking beer!"