BULLS PRIVATE IDAHO

It’s 639 miles from San Francisco to Boise, Idaho. At 60 miles per hour, it’s about a 10½ ride. Given that there will probably be a stop or two and if you’re riding a fully loaded bus with your teammates, once that big bus hits the mountainous elevation, it will slow down a bit, so let’s say about 12 hours. That’s a long time to spend on a bus. You get to know your mates really well on a trip like that. You get to know who has holes in their socks, who’s a chocolate fiend and who snores the loudest. But you also become closer as a group, especially if the ride back includes an amazing come-from-behind-win.

Boise, Idaho

The Bulls played two games against the Idaho Steelheads. Idaho is a great team. They are fast, talented and capable. At 69 points, they have the third best record in the Western Conference behind Ontario and Alaska.

The first game was a loss, 3-2, though the Bulls tried their hardest to overcome throughout the game.  New Captain Scott Langdon lead the team with the first goal of the game, but a few seconds later, Idaho scored to even it up. Then the Steelheads got another goal and were up 3-1. Jordan Morrison in the last five minutes of the game, but San Francisco wasn’t able to tie it up.

In the second game, The Steelheads scored first.  They actually scored twice, taking a 2-0 lead. But then, 59 seconds after Idaho’s second goal, Alex Tuckerman scored San Francisco’s first, making it 2-1. It was Tuckerman’s trademarked Gonzo Hockey style, fighting to get the puck past the goalie and into the net. It’s not artistic, but effective.

Idaho scored once more, but Peter Sivak also scored, making it 3-2, with the Steelheads still in the lead. In the third period, Rob Kwiet scored, tying the game. The Kwiet scored again, allowing the Bulls to lead for the first time in the game. Kris Belan snagged the puck into the net and the game was 5-3. Sivak, after a few tries, hammered the nail in the proverbial coffin with an empty-net goal, making the final score 6-3.

It was a long, tiring ride home for the team, but a happy one. Captain Langdon brought his guitar and tunes wafted from the back of the bus keeping sleepy heads positive all the way back to California.

+++++

Michael Tam & Jason Lockhart

Because the team’s bus arrived from Boise early in the morning, it prompted a last minute Bulls Weekly at Pedro’s Cantina this evening. Jason’s guest was defenseman Michael Tam. This was a great chance to hear from a player who has spent time in both the ECHL and AHL.

I urge all of you Bulls fans to go to Bulls Weekly at Pedro’s, even if it’s only once. They’re a lot of fun. You get to listen to Jason’s broadcast and a hear from a Bulls player, as well as meet them and hang out with other Bulls fans. Plus, the food and drinks are great.    

Marlon Mendieta, Michael Tam & Arlene Empleo & the kids! 

+++++

Next home game is Sunday, February 17th. It's also Pucks & Paws Day, where fans bring their dogs, so it should make for an interesting evening.

GO BULLS!