Spotlight on 1310 AM.......B.A.D. Radio

One of the things that Killer loves is some sports radio, 1310 the Ticket more specifically. The ticket has been around since 1994, and is the premier sports radio station in DFW if not the whole entire southwest. The Ticket is one of those things that you either love or hate. Killer chooses to love the Ticket. In fact Killer loves the ticket so much that I plan on doing a four part series highlighting each of the four flagship shows of the ticket.

Today were gonna hit up B.A.D. Radio which airs weekdays from 12-3. The reason we go here first is that these boys are the stick and puck guys. The ones who give the most attention to the sport we all love, ice hockey. B.A.D. is short for Bob and Dan who are the hosts of the show along with sidekick Donovan, producer Tom "flakeboy" Gribble, and board operator Grubes.

Bob Sturm is originally from Wisconsin and Dan McDowell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Donovan Lewis is from the big D as is Grubes who is from the same neighborhood that GW now calls home, Preston Hollow. In fact Grubes dad sold his house to Dirk Nowitski. Flakeboy is from somewhere I dont know (hows that for reporting, kiss my ass).

B.A.D. radio usually has a segment once a week during the hockey season with a marquee player from the Stars such as Brenden Morrow or Steve Ott. Sturm grew up playing hockey, and still competes in an area D League. Like everything on the ticket bits are a common feature of this show. One popular segment is "Gay or not gay," where the hosts read letters from fans where the fan poses the question at the end, "is this gay or not gay." Then the hosts toss it around and determine whether it is gay or not gay. Another popular bit is "what's on my Tivo," where the guys talk about the television shows that they are currently into like Lost, The Shield, and The Wire. During hockey season Bob will do a segment every now and then called the "Five Minute Major." This is where he devotes five minutes to the sport of hockey, mainly the NHL and Stars. The final segment of the show runs from 2:45 until sometimes as late as 3:15, the segment is called "Why today doesnt suck." It is a crossover segment with the hosts of the Hardline, the show that runs during afternoon drive 3-7. This segment is an absolute free for all where any topic is fair game from talking about people with AIDS to great hair metal bands of the 80's. The segment is wrapped up by talking about people with birthdays on this day and people that died on this day in history.

Speaking of the bits I have some clips here from some of the most popular bits from BAD RADIO.

First we have the Charity Challenge on Ice. This is something the station use to do where the station is split into two teams, and they play a charity ice hockey game. This well done video gives you all the details of this classic bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mud08Vowm2s

Speaking of the Charity Challenge, check out Bob Sturm aka the Sturmenator throwing down some punches on former afternoon drive board op, Expo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wECqml7ZOQ0

Here is Dan who decided to do an interview with Michael Irvin shirtless, and Irvin joined in the fun. Which one do you think played in the NFL?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkVOByCONJg

Finally a very underrated bit which is the Reporters in Knight costumes going into the Nashville Predators locker room after getting demolished by the stars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_ZM9-U5wdc

Allen CHL Expansion team names Coach

The Allen Americans have names a head coach, and he has ties to the Brahmas history.

A very reliable source, who was a member of Dwight Mullins' host family back when he was playing for the Fire, said that he ran into Dwight at a couple of the Brahmas finals games. Scouting out the boys in Purple, no doubt.

(Allen, Texas) - The Allen Americans, the newest Central Hockey League (CHL) franchise, announced today the staff that will guide the team's on-ice efforts during their inaugural 2009-10 season. American's President Steve Duchesne made the announcement.

The staff will be comprised of Dwight Mullins as the team's head coach and general manager and Bill McDonald as the team's assistant head coach and director of hockey operation.

"We are excited to have two quality individuals directing our hockey operations," said Americans President Steve Duchesne. "Dwight brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to coaching our hockey club, and Bill compliments that with his experience and winning ways. Both have had tremendous success together in the past and we feel confident in the direction they will lead the Allen Americans."

Mullins is well known in the Dallas/Fort Worth area formerly playing in the CHL with the Fort Worth Fire (1994-97) captaining them to a CHL Championship (1997). He began his coaching career in the 1998-99 season as the assistant coach for the Fort Worth Brahmas in their inaugural campaign (helped lead the Brahmas to the Western Professional Hockey League finals). Most recently, Mullins coached the North American Hockey League's Texas Tornados to their ninth consecutive playoff appearance.

The Calgary, Alberta native's relationship with the Dallas Stars (NHL) was instrumental in the American's previous announcement that positions the team as the primary 'AA' affiliate of the Stars. Mullins was selected by the Stars as the 90th overall selection in the 1985 NHL Draft. He has also been a guest coach with the Dallas Stars Summer Draft/Rookie Development Camp for the past 6 years.

He currently resides in Lantana, Texas with his wife Christy and daughter Macy.

McDonald brings more than 19 years professional experience to the staff serving in various areas including coaching, management and as a player. His 15 year coaching career, the Thunder Bay, Ontario native has led his clubs to six final's appearances winning four championships. His 626 career games coached (second) in the CHL and 319 career wins (fourth) rank him among the league's all-time leaders. Winning championships in three different leagues, McDonald was the head coach of the 1997 CHL Champion Fort Worth Fire that Mullins served as the captain. McDonald was also the head coach of the inaugural season of the Brahmas, the same team that Mullins served as the assistant coach.

The Americans begin play this fall calling the brand-new Allen Event Center home. More team announcements are scheduled for this week. For more information, contact the Americans at (972) 912-1000 or visit the team's website at www.allenamericans.com.

-Dickie

Another Texas Team Contending for a Cup

It seems that three and a half hours down the road the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League are in the conference finals. Last night they beat the Milwaukee Admirals in game 7 of the conference semi finals 5-2. Next up for the Aeros comes the mighty Manitoba Moose from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

We have a couple local ties to the Aeros as Brahmas MVP Jason Deitsch spent the bulk of the fall of this past season in an Aeros uniform. Deitsch had 4 goals and 11 assists in around 30 games with the Aeros before coming back to the Brahmas and leading the team to a CHL Presidents Cup. Deitsch spent last summer playing in the Euless Star Center A League.

Also Brahmas equipment Manager Phil Shipp use to work as the assistant equipment manager with the Aeros. It would be amazing if the Aeros could bring the Calder Cup to Texas. Then two of the big four professional hockey trophies would be in the lone star state (Big Four Pro Leagues are, NHL, AHL, ECHL, and CHL).

Western Conference Finals (best-of-7)
Manitoba Moose vs. Houston Aeros
Game 1 – Fri., May 15 – Houston at Manitoba, 8:30
Game 2 – Sat., May 16 – Houston at Manitoba, 8:30
Game 3 – Mon., May 18 – Manitoba at Houston, 8:05
Game 4 – Wed., May 20 – Manitoba at Houston, 8:05*
Game 5 – Fri., May 22 – Manitoba at Houston, 8:35*
Game 6 – Mon., May 25 – Houston at Manitoba, 8:30*
Game 7 – Wed., May 27 – Houston at Manitoba, 8:30*

Scheduling Update

Ice is starting to be put in at NYTEX on the Brahmas rink today, with a temporary system. Right now the word is that we will play this Saturday.

Bronze league schedule has been pushed back exactly one week, so whatever your game time was supposed to be last week, will be the game this week.

More updates as they arrive.

When Hockey Players Go Bad.......Ice Rage

Every now and then a hockey player goes mad, or mental as the English say. Every now and then tempers flare, and things get ugly. Unfortunatly sometimes the fan gets involved. The following video clips are perfect examples of something I like to call, Ice Rage.

Our first example of Ice Rage is a classic one. Here we see the Boston Bruins vs. the crowd. The entire crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8K7roZu3WU

Next we have Mr. Tie Domi engaged in a level 9 case of Ice Rage against a Flyers fan. Domi always one wheel almost off, and would fight just about anything with a heartbeat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QECEsZVrbMA

This is a classic tale of team Ice Rage. Lithuania vs. Serbia, not sure what is happening here exept the guys in blue and red look real pissed, and are trying to attack the first three rows of the crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHcD1f-3FOM

Here we have my old pals the Hanson brothers starting a brawl with the crowd at a Cheifs game. Good one here, even if its not really real, eh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xjYUWBlxVc

Here the Bruins are at it again. This time the fight spills under the bleachers. They must put rage in the water up in Beantown, cause these boys are always tons ticked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNXYkSGF3uw

Back to Tie Domi for the next one. This time he squares off against Bobby Probert. Probert and Domi were the two heavyweights of their day for sure. After they fight all hell breaks lose. Ice Rage at its finest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8aBz_l3d5U

Here we have a classic AHL brawl. Watch the goalie dive on the pile towards the end of the clip. Pure Awesometownness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT72A5QFhLY

To wrap things up a couple closer to home. Here we have a fight from the Brahmas tryouts at the Nytex Sports Centre. This one was prior to the start of the 07-08 season. These two guys wantedto make sure that coach got a good look at all their skills including fighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdeSEYUm1sA

And finally I have evidence that Ice Rage hits even the yute of today. This footage was taken from the west rink at Nytex, and involves the Jr. Brahmas going Ape S at the end of a game. I do believe that there is hope for the next generation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV2XA9O7klo

Top Brahma Fights of the 2008-2009 Season

10. Justin Kinnunen vs. Kenny Bernard April 18th, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7EkfUUXElo

Kinnunen was the Brahmas lone All Star this season. His one fight all season came in game 5 of the Southern Conference Finals. Bernard tried to check Brahmas goal tender Brett Jaeger, and Kinnunen did his job as a good D-Man, by laying down the law.

9. Neil Clark vs. Greg McConnell October 17, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hak4Dcns8E8

This was the first game of the season, and the first fight of the year for the Brahmas.

8. Nathan Saunders vs. Nicholas Dumoulin January 25, 2009

The first time the fans got to see exactly how good a fighter Nathan Saunders was. Dumoulin challenged Nathan, and Saunders responded by breaking Dumoulin's orbital bone with one of the best uppercuts thrown down since Ali retired from boxing. Dumoulin required serious medical attention after this one, and a message was sent to the rest of the league that Saunders is not one to tustle with.

7. Nathan Saunders vs. Neil Clark March 10, 2009

Clark makes his second appearance on the top ten list, but this time it was for his failed fight against Brahmas toughman Nathan Saunders. Clark finally convinced Saunders to drop the gloves, and the end result was not pretty for Clark who went back to the locker room crying and wondering what country he was in.



6. Bruiser vs. Slapjack April 11, 2009

Mascot fights are very underrated. Bruiser defended Nytex honor by knocking out Slapjack with a right cross, but seriously, did a jack rabbit stand a chance against a bull?

5. Nathan Saunders vs. David Simoes January 30, 20094 seconds into the game these two decided it was time to have a go. Saunders as usual dominated this feud.

4. Jean Bourbeau vs Greg McConnell Apr 10, 2009

The video doesnt show the whole thing, but McConnell sent a message to the jackalopes that pushing us around in our own barn was not acceptable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLh8H-5ZbfA

3. Matt Burto vs Matt Suderman Dec 20, 2008

This one was so great because of the chain reaction it caused. To see what happened next look at the top two spots on the list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvNpSk9Ktfs

2. Texas Brahmas vs. Arizona Sundogs December 20, 2008

Everyone on the ice gets involved in what was easily the best line brawl of the year for the Brahmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXnBR5gagOU

1. David Cacciola and Marco Emond GOALIE FIGHT! December 20, 2008

The fight of the year for the Brahmas belongs to David Cacciola. The Brahmas netminder gave hockey fans one to remember on this night out in Arizona.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkLPKmiLMgc

Rumors and Innuendos

Alternate titles to this post are: "Economics 101" and "Learn To Swim."

I hear that the Dr Pepper Starcenter in Duncanville has melted on one of their 2 rinks, and that they intend to start playing basketball on that side. Seriously. I heard this from a parent of a kid playing youth hockey down there.

It only makes sense. NYTEX has amazed me at the diversity of events they host on the volleyball side. The move to melt the Olympic hockey rink was scandalous when NYTEX took over 8851 Ice House. But ice only offers one or two options for revenue: Hockey or Open Skating. However, a facility with wide open gym space is far more flexible regarding use, and thus has more market demand. Can anyone remember a Saturday where it was easy to find a parking spot at NYTEX because of other events going on there?

Off the top of my head:
-Volleyball
-Roller Derby
-Semi-Pro Wrestling

As with all things, water finds it's level. I guess the market supply of square footage of frozen water also finds it's level, and apparently in the Metroplex, evaporation is the phase-change du jour.

Sucks for hockey, though.

Welcome 2 New Contributors

There are 2 new contributors who have been given the right, nay, the privilege, to post to their hearts' content.

I'll allow themselves introduce themselves if they wish... for now, let's just call them "Beastie" and "Killer Carlson."

Let's give a warm round of applause for these two mystery men, who have seen fit to spend some of their valuable time adding quality content to the blog.

Dickie