Opinion
Cold temps and hockey mean winter is around the corner
October 26, 2006
I love winter, I really do. While I complain about cold just as much as someone who hates the winter weather, I still wouldn’t change living in the frozen tundra for anything.
I just have to keep remembering that there are a lot of places colder than good ol’ River Falls, Wis.
Now this “winter” that people think has already started here, is not really a winter at all, not by any means - except for some chilly temperatures throughout the past few days. Occasional snow flurries that don’t stick anywhere do not mean winter is here.
Sitting out at the Homecoming football game and having to wrap yourself in a blanket for three hours afterwards means that winter is around the corner, but it’s not here.
However, it was worth being chilled to the bone for the rest of Saturday to see the Falcon football team win the game following an impressive comeback on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, the Falcons put a stop to UW-Stout. They forced the opposition to turn the ball over on downs and even blocked a punt.
The offense put on a second half show and scored enough points to come back and win for all the fans decked out on such a cold day.
The game was absolutely awesome, but it still wasn’t wintery enough for me.
There is only one sport that I equate with winter and that’s hockey. Obviously I know that there are other winter sports besides hockey, but it is by far my favorite.
I always wanted to play hockey when I was little. I liked to ice skate, so I thought playing hockey could be similar. My parents wouldn’t let me play hockey though. e boys. I can’t say I blame them, but I still find myself wishing I would have
This weekend, the UW-River Falls men’s hockey team opens up play for the season and I’m pretty excited to see the Falcons take on neighboring UW-Eau Claire and Lawrence University. The Falcons were picked to be one of the top five in the country and the second in their conference. It should be an awesome, bone-crunching season of Falcon hockey.
The eligibility-wise young team is ready to take on whoever dares to enter Hunt Arena.
I don’t know what it is about hockey that means winter, but it’s there. Maybe it’s the ice or the chilly confines of a hockey arena or the scent of drive and determination, but whatever it is, I love it.
I have memories of growing up and going through the snow to get to the car and head to a college hockey game. I love the nights where it’s warmer in the chilly arena than it is outside.
Now, after the hockey opener on Friday night, I will feel like winter is here. I’ll have cold temperatures to complain about and hockey goals to cheer about.
Sarah Packingham is a former member of the Student Voice staff.