Author Archives: operahockeyguy

Fun, Sun, and the 2015 NHL Draft

Posted on June 30, 2015 by operahockeyguy

For the last five years, PuckBuddys have been fortunate enough to cover one of professional hockey’s biggest events – the NHL Draft. Sure, fans can watch it from home – the awkward smiles, the hockey brass cutting deals, the booing … Continue reading →

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Sans Louis

Posted on March 5, 2014 by operahockeyguy

In general, I don’t like to overly criticize or castigate professional hockey players (well, on this blog) mainly since I’ve never played the game myself. Once a player gets to the NHL level, it’s self-evident they have the talent and … Continue reading →

Posted in New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Winter Cluster

Posted on January 7, 2014 by operahockeyguy

Don’t buy in the hype the media lays on with a trowel about the Winter Classic. They love their precious narrative about a boy’s love of the game in its purest form, but they have no clue. They are firmly … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Winter Classic Fan Zone: FUN ZONE!

Posted on December 30, 2013 by operahockeyguy

Rough Trade™ As part of our Whirlwind Winter Classic Vacation™, we had to check out the Coke Zero™ Fan Zone™ at the Sirius/XM™ Hockeytown Winter Festival™ on Saturday. (Pretty much everything in that last sentence is trademarked except the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Season Preview: Tampa Bay

Posted on October 4, 2013 by operahockeyguy

Editor’s note: We meant to get this posted Wednesday night ahead of the Bolts first game against Boston. But the dog ate our homework. Like all of Eric’s writing, this too, is timeless. Eric, like the other good boys who … Continue reading →

Posted in Tampa Bay Lightning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

PropaGAYnda

Posted on August 14, 2013 by operahockeyguy

The Gay Games I’ve been a fan of Russian history and culture since my teenage years. (Full Disclosure: I used to believe that if Trotsky had become the leader, the Soviet Union might have prospered. Since learning that Stalin was … Continue reading →

Posted in Olympics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Vincent Van Gone

Posted on June 28, 2013 by operahockeyguy

There’s no point in overlooking the fact that this buyout ultimately makes more sense for the team, but it still sucks to lose your captain, community leader, man with really beautiful eyes. Have you seen his eyes? Sorry, I came … Continue reading →

Posted in Tampa Bay Lightning | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Guy Incognito

Posted on April 21, 2013 by operahockeyguy

“Well, you can’t fire the whole team,” is the hoary ol’ cliché everyone (and my mother) whips out when a coach is fired. The phrase itself implies the notion that really you should just clean house and start over, but there … Continue reading →

Posted in Tampa Bay Lightning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bears Out Of Hibernation

Posted on October 31, 2012 by operahockeyguy

Oh, that giddy sensation! Have a hot date, but what to wear?  Should I shave? No, the rugged look should be fine, the beard isn’t grizzled yet. So I’ll wear jeans, but which top?  I don’t want to wear some other jersey, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tampa Bay Lightning, The Minors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembrance Of Seasons Past

Posted on October 10, 2012 by operahockeyguy

It seems like only yesterday that I was telling you about myself, but as Marcel Proust might point out, time is actually elastic and has marched on since then. Pardon me if any bitterness is evident this time around (and there … Continue reading →

Posted in Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments