...then maybe I can get away with it too.

Huh?

Awhile back I pointed out that the Outdoor Life Network was featuring professional hockey games on its TV network. Of course I now see that they are also featuring speedboat racing, dune buggy racing and motocross. But I digress...

Yes, I moaned and groaned about it then, but since they've broken the ice here, I figure it gives me a little leeway to stray off the straight and narrow outdoors path somewhat too.

Huh? Get to it boy!

OK, OK.

You see, last night it was cold and windy outside. Dark too. Not fit for man (person?) nor beast.

But inside, a different story. Especially if you were inside the Cumberland County Civic Center in the stands amongst a sellout crowd of rabid fans watching the two-time national hockey champion University of Maine Black Bears skate, slug and shoot their way to a win over Brown University.

For Maine fans, though, the game was a sleeper for the first 2 1/2 periods. Brown had our number and outplayed the Maine kids big time. 1-0 after two. It looked grim. A nail biter at best.

Almost as grim as the Coors Light, the only draft beer available between periods. (Note to CCCC: Can you say A-L-E?).

Anyway, midway through the 3rd Maine caught fire, peppering the Brown goalie with shots, tightening and toughening up the defense, making passes and ultimately putting two sweet pucks past the Brown goaltender.

Final: 2-1 Maine.

Whew! Almost made the Coors Light worth it.

M-A-I-N-E... Gooooooooooo Blue!

[band plays here, adoring fans and alums sing] Fill the steins to dear old Maine, shout til the rafters ring... ! Woo-hoo!

And now back to your regularly scheduled outdoors blogger programming...