Czech Video Promotion

This is the video being used for the promotion of Manchester Metros vs. UTB Hockey Team.
The effort their club has gone thru to put this all together has been immense.
From posters to videos, to the extensive schedule detailing our entire stay, its unreal.
In just a short simple week, I will be on a plane to the Czech Republic, who knew!
But it is an opportunity I'm glad we [Manchester Metros] haven't passed up.

Czech Press Release

As I mentioned in an earlier post about the Manchester Metros trip to the Czech Republic, I was asked to write a short press release to be printed in the Zlin newspapers prior to our arrival. After spending a while sorting out my words, I have completed the press release and it has been sent off to be printed. It may have been in Friday's paper, but if not, it will feature in a newspaper on a day during the coming week.

I have asked Michal (organizer) to save a copy of the newspaper for my portfolio. My future career is really undefined as I have several opportunities-- journalist, speech writer, creative writer-- that I could potentially select from. Regardless of whatever I decide to specialize in, this press release will be a great addition to my collection of writings.

"On behalf of the Manchester Metros organisation, I would like to take the time to say how much of an honour it is to have this opportunity to come to Zlín to play the UTB Hockey Team. International friendlies offer university students an opportunity to make friends all across Europe, while learning about new places. They also promote the acceptance of cultures different from one’s own by immersing students into the lives of others. These opportunities come through the common bond of sport and a love of hockey. The Manchester Metros organisation promotes ice hockey as a sport open to students of all abilities. The organisation urges the development of skills as well as teamwork and dedication. The Metros traveling to Zlín embody the attributes the organisation promotes, and will play with the belief that they can win.

The Manchester Metros look forward to being guests of the city of Zlín. Although we have been invited to play hockey, we are very eager to tour the city and the University and see first-hand the beauty that Zlín has to offer. We understand the importance of the city’s own, Tomas Bata, and the figure he represents to the citizens of a modern Zlín. We hope to learn about your culture as well as share about our own.

This international friendly will forever connect Manchester with Zlín and Zlín with Manchester.

Kind Regards,

Allen Gunn
Manchester Metros
Committee Member"

To further illustrate this great opportunity, I found a snippet of a poem that perfectly describes all that sits before myself and the Manchester Metros organization in the coming weeks; and further, to the latter part of my stay.

And I could fall
into the promise of this morning,
ride its rush across continents.
--David Underdown "7:10 a.m. Friday, 16 October 2009" (Time Lines; 2011)

Manchester Metros vs. Warwick Panthers (Game 2)

The Manchester Metros returned to action at home Sunday night. They were coming off a brilliant 6-2 win away at Newcastle and were carrying all the momentum into the final two games of the Cup Competition. The Metros were welcoming Warwick with a full contingent of A teamers ready to play and the squad would need all the goals possible as they trailed idle Edinburgh in the standings on goal differential.

Joe Holder carried over his 4 goal performance from Newcastle into the Warwick game as he netted another 4. Not only was his performance top notch, but the entire line of Holder, Gunn, Langlois continued their brilliant play.

Although producing, the Gunn-Holder-Langlois line was not alone. Their play was matched by the line of Greaves-Pugh--Revesz who added several tallies led by a Greaves hat-trick. The line of Skogvang-Thomson-Steedman also found their form and converted the opportunities that had seemed to escape them in recent games.

After a 4 goal performance in the first period, the Metros didn't take their foot off the gas. Goalie, Robyn Maby, was once again MIA due to a prior engagement, but it made way for William Wells second consecutive game in net for the A team. He was once again rock solid between the pipes.

The Metros finished off Warwick 11-4 and returned atop the table tied with Edinburgh. The thrilling season for the Metros concludes on March 4th away to Sheffield. Their last clash was a 6-6 draw, but the Metros hope to carry over their fine play from Newcastle and Warwick to the game. At the same time, the Edinburgh Eagles will play host to the Newcastle Wildcats with a Cup title on the line!

For stats and gamesheet visit here.

Metros Go To Czech

The Manchester Metros have been invited by the UTB Hockey Team to Zlin, Czech Republic to play them in an international friendly on March 7th. The Metros gladly accepted the challenge and will be en-route to Zlin via Prague on March 6th. Zlin is loctated 3 hours Southeast of the capital, Prague, nearest to the Slovakian border.

The team will spend their time in Zlin in student accommodations, all paid for by sponsors organized by UTB. It seems we will be treated like royalty as the Rector of the Tomas Bata University has planned a time to meet us. Not only will we be meeting him, but the Mayor has also set aside time to welcome us to his city. As a record, the first written recording in Zlin dates back to 1322, but Zlin officially became a town in 1397.

The match will take place on March 7th at 20:00 (GMT +1). The Manchester Metros and UTB Hockey Team face off at Zimní stadion Luďka Čajky, which has a capacity of 7,500 and is nestled amongst the foothills of Zlin. This will not be the first international friendly UTB has had. They have already welcome the University of Vienna in December 2011. UTB won that meeting 5-0. Win or lose, the Metros will arrive at the arena hungry, and ready to play a competitive game.

I have been in close contact with the organizer, Michal (via email), to help set up this international meeting between Manchester and Zlin. I can definitely speak for the Manchester Metros organization when I say, we are more than excited to have this opportunity to travel to Zlin to face off against UTB Hockey Team.

It will be a true honor to be their guests come March 6th!

Lastly, I have been asked by Michal to write a formal press release for the match that will be published in Zlin's newspapers and online. I look forward to having my writing be put in the newspapers/online as it is my life goal to be a journalist and this is an excellent opportunity to start a portfolio for my career.

Within the Ruins

Within the Ruins invaded Manchester last night on the Bonecrusher Fest 2012.
I got myself up and moving towards the venue around 5 to hangout with Cocchi and the gang.
And I will say it is always great to see someone from back home, especially a world away.
I can also say it is really cool to be a part of their first experience in Europe.
They've come a long way since Driven By Fear (2006 EP). :]

I invited my friend from hockey, Jack Miller, who also enjoys going to shows.
He was in for the full "rockstar" treatment hanging in the "bands only' room.

Betraying the Martyrs - *****
These French dudes are receiving full marks for being really down to earth guys & amazing at creating music. I had listened to them prior to knowing they would be on this tour, but I was fully impressed after seeing them live. BTM put on a great live show with tons of energy. Victor Guillet (keyboards) has such a sick singing voice that made the choruses sound massive. They are definitely a "must check out" band if you've never listened to them before.

Molotov Solution - ****
Molotov are getting 4 stars, I enjoy a few songs by them (The Harbinger, Awakening, ect...), but have never been a diehard fan. They did put on a great set though, so I cannot knock them for not doing that. I think it is most difficult to be the band directly before Within the Ruins because all I want is to see WTR!

Within The Ruins - ∞
As of course, the main event for myself. I was right up front ready to go. Within the Ruins have always been great live, their music is like a story that has the best beginning, a juicy middle, and a climactic ending with a surprise always tossed in. Their set consisted of Controller, Arsenal, Versus, Red Flagged, Tractor Pull, and Invade. The crowd loved them, which is so great to see! I like seeing my friends be successful with what they're good at. I felt like a champion when Tim dedicated Tractor Pull to me. And after being sick the last 3 days, its difficult to hold back singing along so to say the least, my voice is shot!

Beneath the Massacre - ***
There is not much to say except, it is really difficult to listen to Beneath the Massacre for THAT long. When I've listened to their albums in the past, its normally one song here and there spread out over a few weeks. The problem is, is they're so technically inclined and everything happens so quick like, that you're unable to comprehend what is happening. I do admit they are gifted musically because they can play the crazy stuff they write. I remember Jack looking over to me after one of their songs and going, "that was horrific.", with the most serious face possible.

Carnifex - ****
These guys are grabbing 4 stars, but it could easily be 5. I like Carnifex, but I can only listen to them in small ratios because it is so heavy. Although, Cocchi did say they're much better live than on their albums. I can agree with that point. The albums they seem really sluggy without too much definition in their sound, but live it is a world of difference. They are indeed fantastic live. If you haven't had a chance to see them live I would suggest it.

All in all, I really enjoyed the show. It was great spending time with the guys in WTR and I look forward to seeing them more when I get back to the States. Unfortunately, the dudes in Betraying the Martyrs buggered off before I bought my merch from them so I will have to wait till they come round again!

I apologize for my lack of photos but I was too busy catching up to take photos! D:

Manchester Metros vs. Newcastle Wildcats (Game 2)

The Manchester Metros hit the road Valentine's Day bound for Newcastle and Whitley Bay. The team would be facing off against Newcastle Wildcats in a battle for two crucial Division 1 North points. The last time these two teams met earlier in the season, the Metros found themselves fighting back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 at home.

The 1st period ended 0-0, which was much in favor of the short benched-Metros who were generating several chances.

The 2nd period saw the game beginning to be stretched as Newcastle tired legs were unable to keep up with the fitness of the Metros. The team opened up a 3-1 period lead by the end of the 2nd and were 2/3rds of the to leaving with two points.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats drew one back on a quick counter to bring the score 3-2, but that would be the last time they were heard from. Will Wells had the net on lockdown for the rest of the game. The Metros, with brilliant passing plays, extended their lead, tally after tally to a score of 6-2. The team was led by the Holder-Gunn-Langlois line who found their way thru the Newcastle defense with ease, netting all 6 goals as a line.

The two points could prove to be a critical momentum in the race for the season title.

Though, the Manchester Metros only a have a few days to dwell on their successes in Whitley Bay as bottom of the table, Warwick Panthers, come to Deeside on February 19th at 2230.

For gamesheet, scoring summary and statistics click here.



Joe Holder & Shayne Langlois -- my wingmen.



Final preparations.

Snowless Draw

The marathon weekend continued in Birmingham during Saturday evening's tea time.
And it just happened to be snowing-- and snowing A LOT.
Mackinnon and his dad picked me up from my accommodation around 2,30PM.
We made the drive down the M6 to Birmingham for the Saints-Birmingham City match.
It was a chilly 26ish degrees Fahrenheit.

Let me point this out. It was something like 26ish degrees.
With the wind it was PROBABLY a lot colder.
Yet it didn't stop this Saints supporter from being an absolutely legend.
And yes, he is topless in the snowy conditions.



We arrived at St. Andrews, the City grounds around 4PM, just under an 1 1/2 till kickoff.
After satisfying my tummy with a burger from a stand, we headed to the gates.
As we entered, Sky Sports who was covering the match asked Mackinnon and I to show off our Saints' kits for the camera. They also wanted to get us entering the gates.





Southampton came into the match having lost their autumn form. The start to 2012 has been a bit difficult as a Saints supporter, but the last two matches, Cardiff City (1-1) and the FA Cup match against Millwall (1-1) have seen better performances from the side. Also the play of center back, Aaron Martin, has been very critical to the defensive 3rd as his play has been magnificent.



Coming into the match, the Saints added 3 new faces to the club during the transfer window-- Tadanari Lee, Yago Falqué (on loan from Tottenham), and the latest signing, Billy Sharp from Doncaster. Unfortunately Falqué and Lee were both left off the roster. I had really been looking forward to seeing Tadanari Lee play, but I will have to wait till next match I guess.



The first half saw minimum action as the pitch was being pounded by not only the snowfall from the sky, but also the snow blowing off the roofs. The ball was mainly played in the middle of the pitch, but every so often, the adventurous footballer would find an opportunity along the wing to create space, though it never accumulated to anything. The Saints stayed on the defensive for about the first quarter of an hour before they changed shape to a 4-3-1-2 (Credit: Mackinnon). And the team really played well in the latter part of the half.



The second half was much the same, but the Saints carried over their attacking form. The second half would also see the anticipated introduction/debut of Billy Sharp. There were several chances in the attacking third by the Saints that could've produced goals, but the chances were thwarted and never came to anything. The rest of the 2nd 45 went much as the first as the Saints played to hold the draw and escape the snow with a point. Lambert had one last look on goal from a free kick just outside the box, but it was a chance not taken. The match would end 0-0.



As a whole, the match was very subdue. I did enjoy seeing a good snowfall though, but maybe not during a football match when I really want something good to happen for the Saints. The draw leaves Southampton 4 points back of league leading West Ham who won 2-1 against Millwall earlier in the day. The draw also puts the Saints 2 points clear of Cardiff City who lost 3-1 to Blackpool.



Southampton FC Starting IX: Kelvin Davis, Fraser Richardson, Jose Fonte, Aaron Martin, Daniel Fox, Adam Lallana, Jack Cork, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jason Puncheon, David Connolly, Rickie Lambert.

Southampton Subs: Bartosz Bialkowski, Dean Hammond, Guly Do Prado, Billy Sharp Dan Harding.

Billy Sharp --> David Connolly '50
Guly Do Prado --> Jason Puncheon '73
Jack Cork --> Dean Hammond '80

Birmingham City Starting XI: Boaz Myhill, David Murphy, Steven Caldwell, Curtis Davies, Jonathan Spector, Chris Burke, Guirane N'Daw, Keith Fahey, Jordan Mutch, Marlon King, Adam Rooney.

Birmingham Subs: Colin Doyle, Pablo Ibáñez, Nathan Redmond, Jake Jervis, Wade Elliott.

Wade Elliott --> Adam Rooney '65

The drive home was a bit crazy as snow was falling hard. It had accumulated on all streets within Birmingham City. The roads were pretty good on the motorways though which did help, even if we were only trucking down the road at 40mph. A part of the M6 and a part of the A34 which were the routes back into Manchester were both closed for a period of time during our return making it difficult to predict if we would get back. But we waited it out at a service station as we got food and the rest of the journey home went swimmingly.

Oh...
And for the record... since Mack recorded the match and looked at it when he got back...
WE WERE ON SKY SPORTS!!!

Manchester Metros vs. Edinburgh Eagles (Game 2)

The Manchester Metros A Team returned to action for the first time since their 6-6 draw at home against Sheffield. The Metros welcomed the Edinburgh Eagles to Deeside which would come as a critical rematch in Cup play. The first meeting saw an exciting 1-1 stalemate as Edinburgh equaled with just under 5 minutes to play.

The return opened up much like the first-- a quick tempo game with lots of chances that went begging for both teams.

The game's first goal came when defender Max Drakeley put the Metros on the board with a brilliant shot from the point that took a deflection on its way to the net. The Eagles would push hard for an equalizer and would soon get one on a flurry of chances close to the net.

The Metros and Eagles continued to create opportunities as the game headed into the 3rd period knotted at one all.

A break came for the Metros when Marius Skogvang created a chance on a needle pass across the front of the net to the open Allen Gunn. The chance almost went array when his first shot went into the side netting of the goal. But a hustle play saw the puck sitting centimeters from the goalie line. The puck was seen across the line after a last ditch scramble by Allen to give the Metros a 2-1 lead with just over 10 minutes left to play.

The Edinburgh Eagles did not go away. With several clutch plays on the defensive end, Manchester was able to dictate much of the possession. As the game clock crept under 5 minutes, the Eagles saw a goal disallowed. But they would continue to fight.

They found their late equalizer in heartbreaking fashion as the clock stopped with just sixth tenths of a second remaining.

That would prove to be the game as the two teams couldn't find anything between them.

The Metros next game is away to Newcastle on February 14th. The team hopes to continue their form and get two points on the road. The last time the two teams met ended in a 3-2 victory at Deeside for the Metros after trailing 2-0 early.


For full stats and game sheet, visit this link.

Edinburgh Take Two

The first Metros C team season game was in Edinburgh.
And we all decided the smart idea was to spend a day in Edinburgh before the game.
Whether that was right or wrong in the end-- well there are varying views.

None the less, the entire team was up at Oxford Station at 8am, groggy and ready to leave.
We had booked a 9 seater van as well as a luggage van.
I, being lucky, would be riding up with Mack in his car along with Rohani and Darren.
We set off from Manchester around 9am after visiting Asda for Mack to stock up on energy drinks.



By 11am we had zoomed all the way to the Southwaite service station just outside of Carlisle.
As we waited for the 9 seater and van to catch up the quote-on-quote hour that we were ahead of them by, we recovered. Although the recovery would be short lived as that hour passed by in about 20 minutes.

The chase was on to Edinburgh.
It felt like it was a challenge right out of Top Gear and we were the arrogant Jeremy Clarkson, whilst Martin was the "Richard Hammond".
None the less, we caught up with them just over the board into Scotland.



But that lead (?) dwindled in the balance when the 2 vans continued on the M6 and or A74.
Us, on the other hand, turned off onto the A701 Scenic Trail to Edinburgh.
The beauty the others missed out on was breath taking.
We bumpily pulled over for photos and to take in the serene Scottish landscape.







We continued our journey cutting across the Scottish mountains.
In the end, the Hammonds of the world got their victory in 5 minute fashion.
The lagging car in the "Metro Train" pulled up to the Edinburgh Zoo just past 2PM.

It was our time to visit the zoo.
And might I add, visit the zoo in warmer weather, all the BIG animals like to sleep.
Edinburgh Zoo had recently received 2 giant pandas in the last few months.
They are the only 2 in the UK, so it felt like it would be worth the visit.





















After visiting the zoo, we too needed to be fed.
Dunno if it was the discussion of penguin hamburgers that triggered that...
We were off to Bella Italia or Bella Italia 2 as we ended up at the one on the Royal Mile.





When we had finished dinner, we realized there amount of time we had left till game time.
As it was only 615ish, we needed to pass more time.
We returned to Murrayfield Ice Rink so those who needed sleep, could in fact sleep.
Meanwhile, while those had their evening kip, Martin, I & Jack Walker needed an escape.
We found a cinema about 15 minutes away from the rink and headed over.
To pass the time we saw the newly released film called "Chronicle".
It wasn't too bad of a film, it mainly passed the time as it ended 10 minutes before 10PM.

Back to the rink...
Inside the locker we all suited up and prepared ourselves for the game.
It would be my first game in 10+ years in goal.
And I had only had an hours worth of training since then, which was on Monday night.
None the less, I felt confident in my ability to stop the puck.

No need for a super hockey blurb, but we ended up losing the game 4-3 after leading 2-0 and 3-1. It seemed quite a disappointing loss to the team, but I couldn't help feeling confident with the result. I faced 35 shots and saved all but 4 in my return to goal. I was stone cold on several of their Edinburgh Beagles chances and I really have no complaints.

You can view the game sheet from our C team clash here.

My "Man of the Match" award from the Beagles-- Thorton's chocolates.

None the less, the day was done, it was 1AM and everyone wanted to get home!
The drive home was much more enjoyable as I found my first bits of sleep-- 2 glorious hours.
After a long, long day of pandas, a film, and hockey, we returned in Manchester at 6AM.

I would like to thank RoRo and Mackinnon for getting us there and back safely.
And a big thank you to everyone for the great day!

Close - Male Grooming

I felt I had put off getting my haircut for too long.
And to be honest, the wings on my hair made Mario's wings look like 2nd rate.
So it was time to find a place suitable to my ridiculous standards of hair cutting.
I asked several of my friends where my best option would be.
After turning down many, many places out of unease/expense, Ravi Ranchod mentioned Close.
I checked out the Close website and it seemed like a pretty laid back place.

I quickly called and set up an appointment to get my hairs chopped.
Upon arrival, I was very impressed with the simplicity of the shop.
It is located underneath rooms of the Travel Lodge Hotel.



Both guys working were very friendly and easy to chat with.
The one who cut my hair (completely forgot to ask his name) was fantastic.
I very much like my new dew-- no complaints at all!



So much like I had predicted, the atmosphere was very laid back.



The prices are very reasonable compared to other places.
I paid right around £18 for my rinse, cut, and dry.
That is with the discount given to students.
I highly recommend it for guys in the area.