How Does a Chant at Yost Begin?

So Friday night, I walk into Yost and go to my seat. There's a group of kids, not sure what age they were, but they definitely weren't regulars. This one kid was obsessed with Carl Hagelin. Through out the night, he would yell "give it to Carl" or "Carl's my boy," you know general fanboy fodder. They were just being obnoxious before the game, and I gave them a look. One of the kids asked me "you want in on this." Now I thought they were just drinking or something, but I wouldn't have been surprised if it was something else.

Anyway, these kids were just awful. They were sitting in the student section but had no interest in chanting with the student section. After a while, it sounded like they got bored with Carl, and started chanting "Beat that ass." It was really awkward for us regulars. We all just gave each other looks and rolled our eyes. It was annoying but partially funny.

Well, after one of the goals, one of the kids threw that ball on the ice. Kid tried to take and blow my vuvuzela too, which I snatched before he even took it (this is where I had had enough of this fucktard). The Alaska goalie was hilarious though.

So last night (YES THE THREAD TITLE HAD A POINT), whenever Michigan got into a skirmish, we broke out into chants of "Beat that ass." It was more a hilarious recall to an awkward yet entertaining night. I'm just glad I didn't get into a fight with that kid.

Shep Salutes Jack Johnson

Guy is working hard to get his degree from the U:

Each summer, the fourth-year Los Angeles Kings defenseman returns to Ann Arbor, enrolls in summer school and continues to chip away at his general studies degree. Although he hasn't experienced life as a full-time student for three years, Johnson relishes his time on campus.

During the season:

During the NHL season, Johnson, who is 23, takes classes online, using off-days to study and complete coursework. Technology, including video conferencing and Web tutorials, has made distance learning easier, but balancing school with an NHL career isn't easy.

Red is proud, since he's someone who has said in the past that he wants his guys getting an education, but that he won't get in the way of their NHL dreams:

"Jack's done really well with that. Some players say they'll (come back to finish) and they never do. But Jack has, and good for him."

Johnson's motivation:

"I come from a family where everyone has a degree, and I don't want to be the black sheep at the dinner table," Johnson said. "My 12-year-old brother gives me a hard time and he says he's going to get one before I do, and so I've got pressure.

And of course, my favorite quote:

"But I'm very proud of being a Michigan athlete, a Michigan student and it's always something I'll have in my pocket. It's a priceless thing to have."

Johnson seems to be a rarity in the NHL, not that he went to college hockey first, but rather he wants to finish his degree. The academic side of things seems very important to him even while he's making millions of dollars. They say hockey players are much more grounded than other athletes, this seems to support that belief.

You Don't Go To Yost!

I'm sort of surprised so many people are going to the game. I mean I'm not surprised because it's the Big House, but it's not like all these people go to Yost. Anyway, there's a ticket freeze:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Public ticket sales for "The Big Chill at the Big House" presented by Arby's have been stopped, the University of Michigan Athletics Department announced on Thursday (May 6). Demand for the outdoor hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State has generated sales of more than 100,000 tickets for the Dec. 11 showdown at Michigan Stadium. The remaining tickets are being held to meet the forthcoming student demand.

I love Michigan hockey. But I can't help but feel many of these people are going, to go to the Big House and not to support Michigan Hockey. This is about Michigan hockey.

Red Berenson Character Study

I got this link from Michigan_Hockey on Twitter. It was a telling story about Red Berenson in the Michigan Daily:

“If you want to be a Michigan Man, you should know in the next week,” the coach said to the recruit, who looked and felt much more like a kid than he did when he walked into the office just minutes before. “It will just become clear.”

The article highlights Berenson's desire and commitment to college hockey. His desire for players to get an education because a career in professional hockey isn't guaranteed. His frustration with players who forgo this great opportunity or leave early and suffer. A very telling story about a very great man.