Razorback Hockey? Are you pucking crazy?

Welcome to my new sports obsession – SEC Hockey.

Back in the 90’s when I was at the good ol’ University of Arkansas, the basketball team made a run for the national championship about every year. The football team … well, not so much. In the late fall you could often hear the expression, “Thank God it’s basketball season.” In a couple of years you might just hear, “Thank God it’s hockey season.”

Don’t count on it. But it is true, the University of Arkansas has a hockey team. Don’t believe me? Go here then come back. See I told you!

I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. But I did see it, dear readers, and I have the T-shirt to prove it. Last Friday, I took the boy to the home opener at the Jones Center where the Razorbacks played – you’re never going to believe this – Mississippi State. And no, the puck was not an empty Skoal can.

At this point it should be stated I know dick all about hockey. But nevertheless, if you deck a team out in cardinal and white and put “Razorbacks” across their chest, I’ll show up and call those Hogs no matter what the sport.

Here's my report – it was awesome. We didn’t stay for the whole game because it was way past the boy’s bedtime. But before we left the Ice Hogs had the game well in hand 6 to 0, which is like 60 to 0 in Football numbers.

Not only was it the home opener, it was the first Razorback Hockey game in the University’s history. That’s why it was so important that I take my son. Even though he’s only 9 months old and will have no recollection of it at all, he can say he was there.

So 25 years from now when he’s playing in the NHL and they ask him, “How does a kid from Arkansas become such a good hockey player?” he can say with pride, “My dad took me to the first Razorback Hockey game in history, and he’s the best dad in the world. Thanks, Dad!. I’ll also add that he has aged incredibly well and is extremely good looking.” Hey, a guy can dream can’t he?

Even if he doesn’t end up playing in the NHL, attending the game was a great time. If you’re a Hog fan looking for a new sports obsession I highly recommend you take in a game at the Jones Center. Tickets are cheap ($5 as compared to $25 basketball tickets and $45 football tickets), and it’s a family-friendly environment. Unfortunately they don’t sell or allow beer there, which is a bummer because watching hockey with a cold beer would have really topped off the awesomeness. But it is the Jones Center and it is a college event, so what are you going to do?

Other SEC rivals on the schedule include Alabama, Vanderbilt and LSU. Bama, Vandy and LSU will be home games at the Jones Center. Our out-of-conference, road schedule includes our age-old archrival. You guessed it, the Evil Orange Empire, the Texass Longwhorns.

I can’t believe this. I’m actually getting fired up about hockey played by teams from Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. I feel like I’ve slipped into some bizzaro world. Somewhere in Ontario there are Canadians that are excited about a college NASCAR team.

UPDATE: Added Nov. 11, 2008

Friday's final score was Hogs 14, Dogs 0. Saturday night they played again – Hogs 21, Dogs 2. Once again proving our dominance over the state of Mississippi ... in hockey.


Photo Courtesy of razorbackhockey.com