House Fantasy Hockey

For a bit of banter with the housemates, who are or are former hockey players for the Manchester Metros, we set up a fantasy hockey league to keep us busy.

Personally, I had never done any sort of fantasy sport for a major American professional league, but I had done fantasy football for the Premier League and found it to be interesting, but in comparison to fantasy hockey, nowhere as engaging. Fantasy hockey allows the league participants to select the point scoring categories, such as goals, assists, points, penalty minutes, ect. for both players and goalies. For goalies we do games started, wins, loses, goals against average, save %, and shutouts.

Even from the start it was a laugh as League Commish Chris Brumby, and participant Matt Rohani spent hours on their team logos -- Rusholme Kebabhawks and Supper Sharkalo. And yes, no typo on "Supper", but he really meant to type "Super". I kept it easy and went for the Gunnstars, which in the last four weeks, I have been in star form. fathers 4 justice is one of our goalie friends, and Metros C team goalie. Two other housemates, Brumby2 (Jabheads), and Nic (The Dre Tones) round out the league.

Back in October, right on the day the NHL season started, we had our draft, which in all fairness kept getting postponed due to extenuating circumstances. We drew numbers from a hat to decide the order. And I, being all lucky, drew the 1st overall pick. And with that pick, I selected Alex Ovechkin. He will single-handedly win me Week 10 as he scored four goals last night against the Lightening. In fact, I had 3 of the top 5 league leaders in goals.

My goalies are also doing quite well league-wide as I have the goalie with the best GAA, who also happens to have the 2nd best save percentage.

Now it all seems like just a bunch of stats, but I know for many of my fellow Americans, as a nation, who knows how much of our time in school, or at the office is spent behind a computer screen checking our fantasy teams. Teams we apparently have, "no control over." Lies! Can smack talk our opponents, can forgot to put someone out on the ice, making the tough coaching decisions.

It hasn't always been a bed of roses for my team. I myself have made an embarrassing 16 changes to my team. The closest is Chris, owner of Supper Sharkalo -- a shark mixed with a buffalo for those who haven't picked up on it yet... He has made 10 changes.

Regardless of who wins the imaginary Stanley Cup at the end of the year, its all about bringing us hockey fans inches closer to the game whilst having some good fun.

I hope I bloody win for house supremacy!

Saints FC vs. Manchester City

Saturday proved to be a long day for fans traveling from Manchester down to Southampton – and by that I mean for 3 Saints supporters: Mack, his dad, and I. Not the ones causing a ruckus within close proximity for the first 40 minutes of the match following "Kun" Agüero's 10th minute goal. Apparently my travel companions "eat off the floor" being from the north? ;D

The match was a nice celebration for my birthday day-after as my parents treated me to my first Saints' Premier League fixture as I was home throughout their first top division campaign and missed out on their visits to Anfield and Old Trafford early in the 2013/14 season.

It was the first time I got to see new signings play in person such as Ramírez, Lovren, Rodriguez, and Dani, as well as youngsters from Academy -- the likes of Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, and James Ward-Prowse. Definitely cool to have heard where Saints were from Mack and his dad, once in administration, to where they are now signing players in the realm of £15m and being able to hold onto talents like Adam Lallana.

Now in his first full season, the gaffer, Mauricio Pochettino, showcased the lads have the will to fight their way back into matches -- but one thing is certain, the team's performance against the top teams is always one of brilliance. Jack Cork was an absolute beast in the middle of the park filling in for regular starter, Victor Wanyama (who actually took his place arriving during the summer window).

Dani Osvaldo showed why he can be worth his £12m price tag when he turned Kompany inside-out twice before lofting a curling ball around City keeper, Costel Pantilimon, in the 42nd minute. It was such a beaut of a goal that I nearly toppled over into the row in front jumping up and down celebrating.

City sniffed the Saints' goal occasionally following Sergio's 10th minute goal, but Southampton used their position to its full potential in search of a winner in the second half. Jay Rodriguez nearly put Saints in front when he clipped through the City defence to go 1v1 with Pantilimon, but the City keeper did enough to keep him off the score sheet.

Dejan Lovren and Jose Fonte are a tremendous pair at the heart of the Southampton defence. Lovren is a bit more attack minded when he's on the ball and he has excellent skill to get around players. Fonte has remained the same stout defender that I remember when I last saw Southampton in-person.

Luke Shaw is also a talent that was special to see. He has so much in front of him at just 18 years old. The same with Ward-Prowse (19 years old) and Chambers (18 years old). The Academy at Southampton is something to be proud of!

That was one area I was a bit disappointed by... Joe Hart is an exceptional talent, but he's hit a rough patch being kept on the bench and it would've been neat to see him play. But I did get to see the likes of a World Cup Champion in Jesús Navas, among many soon-to-be 2014 World Cup participants.

The point against City leaves Southampton in sole position of 8th place in the BPL Table with 23 points from the team's 15 games.

Full time: Southampton FC 1: Manchester City 1

Attendance at St Mary's: 31,229

Southampton FC starting XI: Paulo Gazzaniga, Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse, Jose Fonte, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana (→ Ramírez), Jack Cork, Dani Osvaldo (→ Lambert), Steven Davis (→ Reed), Jay Rodriguez.

Southampton FC substitues: Cody Cropper, Maya Yoshida, Rickie Lambert, Gaston Ramírez, Jos Hooiveld, Harrison Reed, Sam Gallagher.

Manchester City starting XI: Costel Pantilimon, Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis, James Milner (→ Javi Garcia), Yaya Touré (→ Džeko), Sergio Agüero, Álvaro Negredo (→ Navas), Samir Nasri.

Manchester City substitutes: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Edin Džeko, Javi Garcia, Jesús Navas, Gaël Clichy.

MUIHC Christmas Meal

The Manchester Metros Club Christmas dinner was held at Label on Deansgate. It included a three course meal for 14 quid -- starter, main, dessert. There were about 26 of us from the club who turned up for the festivities, all decked out in either smart attire or the classic bad Christmas jumper. And me? For some reason I have decided to go with the all out smart-casual look like I did for the Manchester Metros Varsity. Broke out the pinstriped waistcoat, my maroon trousers which matched the bow tie, and my pinstriped slippers. Had to be done.

I do believe I have spent too much time watching NBA press conferences...

On to the meal! For my starter I selected the Tomato & Jersey Cream Soup. My main, I couldn't pass up a roast turkey dinner. And for dessert I had the profiteroles. All were quite tasty, but as I am a growing boy, I REALLY wish there were bigger portions, and I know Callum Notman would echo that sentiment. Kid is a horse out there on the ice every shift.

Regardless, like any festive time, the company is what matters and none better than the folks you spend Monday nights at 2330 with for trainings. The pints were flowing, the free wine was being poured, and several laughs were shared.

Things I missed during last Christmas in America... The hats, jokes, and mini prizes from the crackers. Below Jamie Bower and Andrew Mackinnon struggle to put together a puzzle created for 5 year olds. And the "A Team Elite" pose for a photo.

Metros A @ Birmingham Lions

Manchester keeps winning taste in mouth, dominates Birmingham Lions 11-2 from start to finish led Topi Jylha's four goals.

Metros A headed to Solihull on Sunday to face the southernmost North Division opponents Birmingham Lions following their 10-2 victory over Hull a fortnight ago.

The team was without forwards Tom Wilson (ankle), and Shayne Langlois (knee), but regained Jylha who returned from a cheek injury sustained in the Hull away game. He would provide the vital offensive attack scoring four goals whilst tallying multiple assists on goals scored by his line mates Allen Gunn and Matt Lowry.

After their 10-2 performance, the goals kept coming. Metros A offense was supplied by a supporting cast of Kieren De'Ath, Gino Poulin, and Tyler Schock. The latter finding the net twice. Manchester controlled the tempo over the game spending multiple spells on the attack. Strong puck movement during full-strength play unlocked many opportunities to pepper the Birmingham goalie. Manchester totaled 70 shots in the game.

On the power play, the Metros went 4 of 5. The team continued to be strong when faced with man down situations killing off 4 of 5 in the game.

When the Metros weren't on the puck, they forced several neutral zone turnovers and kept the opposition to the perimeter. The entire team was physical, delivering many big hits that separated Lions players from the puck which opened up avenues for odd man situations.

Unfortunately, Poulin left the game early in the second period after sustaining an undisclosed lower-body injury. At the time, he had scored a goal and recorded an assist. His loss left the short on defence who continued to play as a 3-man unit. Alex Thomas, who had played in defence away to Edinburgh once again stepped in, playing all 60 minutes out of his normal position.

Critical stats include 21 goals for and only four goals against over the course of the last two games. A tremendous change from the first three games where Manchester was outscored 21-15. The defence has ramped up its coverage around the net and the forwards have tightened up their play.

Phil Pearson (1-2) was strong in net when he was called upon, making 13 saves on 15 shots. The players in front of him made sure he was able to see the puck. Birmingham's two goals were scored in the 3rd period, one off a tipped shot from the point, and the other a secondary rebound shot from just inside the circles.

Manchester are off until January 24 when Deeside hosts the home leg of the trans-Pennine rivalry. Until then, the Metros enter the Christmas break with 4 points in the table and a 2-3 record.

Allen Gunn leads all team scorers with 14 points (7g, 7a), including two game winning goals. He is followed by line mates Matt Lowry (7g, 6a), and Topi Jylha (4g, 6a).

Their remaining BUIHA schedule is as follows:
Jan 24 - Sheffield v. Manchester
Jan 31 - Nottingham v. Manchester
Feb 8 - Manchester @ Nottingham
Feb 15 - Manchester @ Sheffield
Feb 21 - Birmingham v. Manchester

You can find the full game sheet here.

English Thanksgiving

A week ago Monday was the house Thanksgiving meal as it fit everyone's schedule -- sorry Thursday... But we were prepared to make one heck of a meal, and by we, I mean Chris Brumby (housemate) got really involved in finding a marinade recipe for the turkey. He has to give some credit to Martha Stewart and her orange honey glazed turkey recipe. I must say it was fantastic to have someone else take care of the bird whilst I focused on other parts of the meal. How some folks have just one person get everything ready is beyond me. I know I would struggle. But designating jobs really helped move the prep and cooking along. Rohani and Tom Jones were on cutting duties, doing odds and in jobs, so a tremendous shout to them for their efforts.


Got cracking around 2PM that day. And after I ruined the roast potatoes at stage 2 by over boiling them, we were on our way to what would be a very delicious meal. Chris was adamant about getting a ham in the mix, so we included an almond-honey glazed marinade ham in the festivities. Our fixins included sweet potato casserole (a must), normal mash (because I ruined the first batch of potatoes, mac&cheese, roast veggies (because we're British), and cranberry sauce. For dessert: Monkey Bread and Fruit Salad.

Here's a challenge for all my compatriots: try explaining that there is no explanation for why Monkey Bread is called as such, when all the Brits want is an explanation. It all leads to several minutes of a heated Wikipedia debate where nobody wins.

And another thing whilst on the Monkey Bread topic. They don't have pre-made Pillsbury biscuits over here to easily slice and dice into wee bread balls. The dough making process added about an hour to the overall time but it was well worth it. That and when, Jon Brumby, our dessert connoisseur, had forgotten (or wasn't told) to add brown sugar it added another few minutes.

Then the marshmallows were singed. Or caramelised as Chris described them. Still edible, but they didn't have that beautiful white and pink look to them. Difficult finding marshmallows that don't cost a fortune and are of decent size. Can't deny Chris looks for perfection in presentation so he wasn't going to let a few charred mellows ruin it. And to be fair, that's what you want because in all my years of celebrating Thanksgiving the one thing I've learnt is its never going to be 100% perfect because that's just un-American! And what's Thanksgiving without a few mess-ups?!

Overall though, it was a great experience getting in the kitchen and really doing a holiday properly, and good company is what really matters. There were 11 of us total. All the housemates, and then 3 significant others. Really couldn't break tradition with this lot though as they pushed it, so after eating we went out to the grassy triangle up the road for a bit of American football -- which turned into half rugby by the end?

All this food, running about, right before hockey training. We will plan our Christmas dinner a bit better...