THOUGHTS ON THE LOCKOUT AND FANS

This morning I woke up to hear there is a tentative agreement between the owners and players. About time. No, it’s way past about time and it’s into why the &*%^ did this take so long time? Unlike the teaming throngs, I’m not jumping for joy. This whole thing has me as disgusted as I am at the government is at being unable to solve their problems.

I refuse to point fingers at who is wrong or right. That’s not my place in this blog. All I can say is that this whole horrific experience has hurt FANS. And I will never forget this.

No, you didn’t help me find minor league hockey, I was already here. But, you made me realize that the minor leagues, unlike the NHL, cares about ME, the FAN. YOU, the NHL, do not. Whether you are an owner or player, you forgot who we fans are once you got to that level. 

So, maybe you think that we fans will ALL rush back to watch NHL games, pay whatever inflated ticket price is being asked for the rest of this non-season. And a majority of them may do this. I will be one of those who won’t.

On one level, the lockout helped the minor leagues because it brought a lot of fans to leagues like the ECHL and the AHL. I hope those fans who have been going to Bulls games won't rush off to Sharks games or other NHL teams' games and forget about the smaller teams who have been there for them. This would make me sad. The ECHL is NOT a replacement league, it is its own league and a better one, in my opinion. 

Sure, I’ll watch the playoffs. I may get excited, but it won’t be with the same gusto I have always had. I will not spend ONE DIME on the NHL this season. I certainly will NOT go to any Sharks games this season. Next season, we’ll see. Bulls games are so much more fun that I don’t know if I want to go unless they play the Rangers. The one game I wanted to see the Sharks play this year which was versus the Rangers, was wiped out due to the Lockout, so I don’t care much about the rest of this season.

We fans work hard for our money. We go to jobs that many of us don’t particularly like just so we can attend hockey games, buy hockey sweaters and have things we like. I see no reason to waste our money on teams and people who take us for granted.

But of you disagree you are indeed free to choose and I’ll hold no ill will towards anyone who rushes back to the NHL. Good on ya! Just don’t forget about the SF Bulls. They always love you!

Remember Bulls Weekly is January 9^th, this Wednesday. Jason always has a Bulls player as a guest, and this week it’s a very cool player. This is going to be a great show! Be at Pedro’s, just across from AT&T Park. Starts at 6pm.

The Bulls play the Idaho Steelheads Thursday,  January 10^th at the Barn!

GO BULLS!

BULLS CLIP EAGLES WINGS

Some say Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Not for me. Disneyland is a place where you may go to once or twice a year; where everything is pre-formed, not real, made up to pretend to be something else. That’s not my style. I like real life. I don’t need to pay a ton of money once or twice a year at a prefabbed amusement park to make me feel better.  No matter what kind of a day I’ve had, no matter how the world has treated me, as soon as I step through the old, creaky, dented front doors of the Barn, those worries slip away and I am at home. I am with friends.

Dean Ouellet

We’re about halfway through the season now and fans who started this inaugural season have made new friends, know who the season ticket holders in their rows are, can name the Bulls staff and most of the Barn vendors. This is one of the benefits of the minor league! Sure it’s small, but it’s also more intimate and friendly.

Kris Belan

Last night’s second game in this two-game stand against the Colorado Eagles was remarkable. We won this game 4-3 in a high-energy match. The entire team was ready. Peter Sivak scored two goals, leading the team. He was part of the Bulls most deadly line: Peter Sivak, Dean Ouellet & Danill Tarasov. Can you say SPEED? I would highly recommend using this line again, it’s nearly unstoppable. Dean Oullet scored the first goal for the Bulls. The second was by Rob Kwiet, the last two by Sivak.

Salute to the fans after the win

Taylor Nelson was amazing. Some of his saves were so good, I had to blink to make sure he really got the puck. He has stepped up and proven that he has the cojones to do the job. Bravo, Mr. Nelson, you were awesome.

In offense, defense and even face offs, where the team has had previous problems, the Bulls improved. The whole team played well. There were two fights. The first was Hans Benson in the First Period, he won. The second fight came in the Third Period by Scott Langdon who lost.

The REAL Bull!

It was Country & Western night at the Barn so many fans wore their western wear. I wore my red cowboy boots. The Bulls gave away orange foam cowboy hats as well. They had real cowboys performing rope tricks and a real bull. He was huge but seemed pretty docile. And, speaking of cojones, the team hosted a Rocky Mountain Oyster eating contest.

Rawhide with Me & My BOOTS!!!

The crowd energy was excellent and meant a lot to the team. We have a really good thing going with this team, let’s keep it up!

Two events coming up next week:

SF Bulls Weekly on Wednesday, January 9^th at Pedros. Jason Lockhart will have another Bulls player as his guest. It's directly across from AT&T Park. Starts at 6, be there!

Next game is January 10^th against the Idaho Steelheads.

GO BULLS!

BULLS WEEKLY FEATURING TORREY MITCHELL

It was a rowdy crowd at Pedro's Cantina tonight for Jason and his special guest Torrey Mitchell. Torrey who spent five years with the San Jose Sharks and is now with the Minnesota Wild is a local favorite. He's temporarily with the Bulls, as you all know from my last blog, he made his debut last night.

Torrey Mitchell & Coach Curcio

He's a great player and with this short stay, he'll get a little more attention than he's used to in the NHL, especially with the Wild and big paycheck guys like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. So, it's nice we can give it to him. Jason with his excellent interview talents was as sharp as ever for an entertaining hour and Torrey was just as equally as great as a guest. After the live online hour, Torrey settled into a side table with his wife and Coach Curcio and his family and played a fun and loud game of bar dice.

Torrey & Jason

After the hour, there was an interview of him on CSN television playing silently on one of the TV screens while a college bowl game was on the other multiple screens.

Torrey was only too happy to talk to everyone, take as many pictures and sign as many items as everyone wanted. He's intelligent, funny, personable and a gentleman. He's an all-around great person. You really should have been there.

Andrea & her Drink!! 

Before Bulls Weekly, I was able to talk to Coach Curcio about last night's game. I told him I was so proud of the team, even with the Shoot Out loss, especially Goalie Taylor Nelson. He worked so hard and played so well. Curcio agreed. "He earned the right to play Friday night," Curcio said.

That's what I really like about Curcio. He doesn't favor anyone. He plays who's playing well. Each player has to EARN their way. That is the ONLY way to run a team, in my book. I respect that.

Friday day is Western night. So, show up in your Western wear and have a great time with us! I have a brand-spankin' new pair of boots I'll have on and just wait until you see them. They rule.

GO BULLS!

BULLS LOSE IN HEARTBREAKING SHOOT

Last night's game was a nail-biter from beginning to end. Unlike the last two-game series, the Eagles this time came not to fight but to play. This was back-up goalie Taylor Nelson's toughest challenge and up until the very end he did very well.

I got upgraded to the BEST seats in the house!

Peter Sivak

Torrey Mitchell scored the Bulls only goal in the First Period, while Colorado's Devin DiDiomete scored their only goal in the Second.

Torrey Mitchell

Joking around during Warm Ups

Defense was strong for both teams. Bulls led in shots to goal 42 at 36. The loss came after many players tried in the Shoot Out. And for that, there is no dishonor in this loss, no reason to feel bad; this was a thrilling game and at least the Bulls get a point out of it.

Face Off

This is the way to play, Bulls! This is hard-fought, battling, never giving up, never giving in hockey! Nelson did an amazing job. He played his best and I'm very proud of him. This was probably one of the most important games of his short professional career.

If there's one area right now that the Bulls need to improve it's in Face Offs. The team doesn't seem to do well in getting the puck off of these and this couldn't be a big difference in tight games such as last night.

He has another coming up Friday against the same Colorado Eagles. It's Country Night at the Barn. Get your nicest duds out and join us for a good ol' time!

Also, tonight is Bulls Weekly and I've heard a couple different things about who is the guest. Needless to say, you should be there. 6pm at Pedro's across the street from AT&T Park.

GO BULLS!

HAPPY 2013!

First of all, Welcome to 2013!

Let's hope it's a prosperous and joyous year for all of us. I'm sure it will have its share of ups and downs, but my wish is that it moves forward and that we all learn and grow. And for the Bulls, even if it is their first year, let them kick butt far into the Post Season!!! :)

There has been some recent news, both good and bad. The good news is Minnesota Wild player Torrey Mitchell has signed with the team. He used to play with San Jose, so he should be familiar to Sharks fans. He is NOT playing with the Sharks again, as some confused Sharks fans thought on the Bulls Facebook page, he is playing on the Bulls. This is a great addition to the Bulls lineup. He will be very helpful to the offense, give some speed and help to the front line.

The bad and sad news is that Thomas Heemskerk suffered from apendicitis over the weekend and has been placed on the 21-day Injured Reserved List. He'll be out for three weeks. Poor Tommy! I feel so bad for him. But, he's in the best of care and we all send him positive thoughts and good energy! Meanwhile, Taylor Nelson must be his best and play his best. I know he's up for the task.

Andrew Crescenzi & Taylor Nelson

Today, Union Square, Downtown San Francisco hosted its first annual Polar Bear Skate to raise money for the SF Zoo. It was a fun time. Skaters had the choice of dressing in beach wear while skating. There was going to be a dunking of Bulls players, but apparently they couldn't get the permits together in time. The players were relieved, it was cold out today.

Danill Tarasov

Jordan Clendenning

They did a rather lame version of Chuck A Puck instead and called out puck numbers, but no one wrote down theirs. Come on, if we bought 6 pucks, how are we supposed to write down all 6 numbers? Oh well, the money went to a good cause, the zoo is worth it.

Taylor Nelson

There was a huge crowd and the skating session was sold old before I got there. Everyone had a nice time.


There are two games at the Barn this week, both with the Colorado Eagles. If you remember, this team loves to fight and play dirty. If you want to see some games with action and root for the Good Guys, the Bulls, to win! Join us! Let's get lots of fans supporting them!

Also this Thursday at Pedros is The Bulls Weekly. Jason will have another great guest. I think I know who it is, but I won't say just yet, as it is a surprise and should be a very entertaining show.

GO BULLS!

FINAL THOUGHTS FOR 2012

New Years Eve is an odd date in the hockey calendar. It's just when things are heating up. It's about mid-season and the teams are battling for positions in the post season and then here come the Holidays! They throw some off days into the regular schedule to remind us that all in life does NOT take place at an ice rink, even though we may want it to.

This New Years, like every other one before it, also has me reflecting what has passed during these 365 days. It's been a remarkable year.

Every one of us Bulls fans are extremely thankful of course, for this new, wonderful team we have! I remember meeting Coach Curcio and Rawhide at a sportsbar in Park Merced last January. They were promoting the Bulls during the Forty Niners-Giants playoff game. The game didn't turn out so well, but the Pat Curcio's plan and vision of a San Francisco hockey team certainly did. Since then, the large amazing staff has worked endlessly to promote the team, smooth out any wrinkles and do everything they can to make the experience the best it can be for the fans. And the public is getting it, slowly, slowly to be sure, but they are understanding that there is hockey right now, and it is not the Sharks!

Of course, the lockout is the pink elephant sitting in the middle of the room no one wants to talk about. Too controversial! Everyone's sick of hearing about it! They need to just get back to work! Fire Bettman! We're heard them all before, haven't we? Did the lockout help the minor league teams? Yes, it did. It helped to make many people aware that there are other leagues and teams still playing hockey. So, even though it is detrimental to the NHL brand, and drove fans away from the majors, the lockout created a niche where there may not have been one before or where the timing to start a new team may not have been right earlier.

Outside of hockey, we San Franciscans were also blessed with an incredible baseball team. The Giants took their second World Series title in three years. I was so happy, probably more so than the first time because that win was more stressful than this sweep of Detroit.

On a personal level, it was a year of great personal growth. I continued my running through most of it, even though there were a few times I had to stop due to illness or injury. Even with those unplanned interruptions, I feel stronger in every way now than I did 12 months earlier.

For 2013, I am looking ahead towards:

- The Bulls in the playoffs for the Kelly Cup
- Seeing my SF Giants also making another World Series run
- Is it the 49ers year finally?
- Continue my running, increase my mileage and eventually complete a marathon

And most importantly, improve, improve, improve. No matter what we do, we continue to get better, be positive and look forwards. I see great things on the horizon for 2013. It will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Happy New Year!

GO BULLS!

SF BULLS MEET THE BEARS....AND THE PENGUINS, TIGERS, ETC...

Or: AN EVENING AT THE ZOO WITH THE BULLS

My new friend at the SF Zoo 

Last night the Bulls hung out at the San Francisco Zoo in one of the final nights of the Zoo Lights. With lots of zoo enthusiasts and Bulls fans, it was a delightful night for everyone involved.

Fun time at the SF Zoo

Kris Belan & his family who were visiting from Canada

I arrived a little early so I could check out some of the animals beforehand. I realized that I had not been to the zoo in many years, so it was fun to see some of my favorites. As the exhibits closed, the sun set, the lights popped on and the public turned out for live music, hot drinks and more of our favorite bulls players. Also there were Rawhide and the Cow Belles.

Justin Bowers & Peter Sivak

Signature Table

Jay telling Bulls fables to the kids

Group Shot! 

Next up on New Year's Day Is Polar Bear Skate and player dunking at Union Square! Be there! Also this week is SF Bulls Weekly!!! I must apologize to Jason for giving this the WRONG NAME. It is SF BULLS WEEKLY!!!! I think I know who this week's guest is, but I'll leave him as a surprise. He's a great, great player and should be an excellent guest! Be at Pedro's this upcoming Thursday!

GO BULLS!