Enough Practice, Clarke Discussion, Ice Angels, Coolest Rink, Chill Win

- It is that time of the week when there has been enough practice and the guys are ready to play a game. With no game since last Saturday the coaches have had plenty of time to work on the phases of the game that has caused them most concern. The only thing that must still be decided is what players will be on injured reserve (IR) and who will start in goal. With 20 players under contract there will have to be two players on IR because of the CHL rules.

- If you haven't been following all of the message board traffic concerning the circumstances surrounding Garrett Clarke's broken jaw and concussion (details in yesterday's blog) the incident has generated lots of discussion. After reading all of the comments there are a couple of conclusions I have reached. Inspite of whatever Clarke said or did and you can be assured he was guilty of both, it does not justify the action taken against him. Clarke is a self described agitator and that is part of his game but the code in hockey is you don't hit a defenseless player. The other conclusion I reached is the vast majority of Missouri fans were concerned about Clarke, were sorry the incident took place, did not condone Colt King's actions and feel he deserves whatever suspension the CHL hands out. I have not seen a video of the incident but the picture below definitely shows this was not your typical hockey fight.

A fight or a sucker punch? You be the judge - Photo by Jeremiah Griffith

- The CHL has not announced the length of suspension for Colt King but he will definitely not be playing this weekend against Allen. The announcement should be made today. 

-  On a more pleasant note here is a story from the American's. In the spirit of the holiday season, the Americans Ice Angels made a visit yesterday to Children’s Medical Center of Plano to deliver Teddy Bears to patients. The Ice Angels have been making hospital visits a part of their annual holiday routine, which included a stop at Children’s. “It’s great to see the smiles on the faces of the little ones," said Ice Angel, Brooklyn, who is in her second season as a member of the group. “Making a child’s wish come true is really what Christmas and the season of giving is all about. Having a healthy child of my own makes me feel very thankful and blessed.” Joining Brooklyn on the hospital visit were Ice Angels Brittney, Amanda and Director and Choreographer, Stephanie Di Biase-Wheat.

- The Ice Angels will hold their annual Calendar Release Party this Friday night, immediately following the Americans game, at Game On Sports Bar located at the corner of Stacy Road & Greenville Ave, (across the street from the Firestone store) just two minutes away from the Allen Event Center. Come join the fun and be one of the first to get  your very own 2014 Ice Angels Calendar.

- Tonight is the Toys for Tots drive at the Allen Event Center sponsored by the Allen Americans and Fox 4.  Allen High School will take on the Richardson/ Rockwall Raiders with puck drop at 7pm. Admission for the event will be free to all fans. Fans are asked to park in the south garage and enter the Event Center at the south entrance adjacent to the Allen Community Ice Rink. For every person who brings in a toy for Toys For Tots, the participant will receive an opportunity to enter a drawing for a free suite night, for 20 people, at an Allen Americans game and a Dallas Sidekicks game. There will be Allen Americans players in front of the AEC accepting the Toys For Tots gifts (must be new and unwrapped), Tommy Daniels will broadcast the game (live stream) on 107.3 FM. and Lee Hastings will handle the PA duties so it will be a special game. Bring a toy, talk to the players, take a picture and stay for the hockey game if you can.

- In the only action in the CHL last night the last place St. Charles Chill, playing two players short because of suspensions, defeated Denver 3-1 in Denver. It was only the second regulation home loss for Denver all season. Denver attendance woes continue with the official crowd last night reported as 1056. 



DID YOU KNOW: Hockey rinks offer designers plenty of opportunity for creativity. There are many unique rinks around the world. One that is always rated as one of the best is the rink at Yale. Here are the details:

1. David S. Ingalls Rink

Year Opened: 1958

Location: Yale University - New Haven, CT.

Better known as the “Yale Whale”, the Eero Saarinen designed building is one of the most distinctive rinks in college hockey. Ingalls Rink earns the whale moniker thanks to it’s humpbacked-style timber roof that’s supported by a cable net and 30 foot reinforced concrete arch that resembles a whale’s backbone. The rink was renovated in the late ‘90s to add more community services but the classic design and style remained intact.