Hockey Gift Guide Part Three: Apparel and Things

By Lisa Ovens

In part three of my suggestions, I went looking for some hockey inspired apparel, and came across some fun new looks for the hockey fan and/or player in your life.

But first, to briefly recap the guides...

Part One highlighted two artisans:  Michelle Reaney of Thunderpeep Designs (the designer responsible for the look of my two hockey books) and her Polar Nights line of paper and fabric products imprinted with her original designs. And the other Artisan, Ann Carney,  jewelry designer and creator of the FanBangle sports bracelets. To get the full story and see their work please click here for Gift Guide Part One.

Part Two covered the items available from my own Hockey & High Heels Collection, including the Two Book Set, VIP Badges and Hockey themed blank greeting cards. To see it all and do a  little online shopping, please click here for Gift Guide Part Two. Please note, both hockey books are only available  from the shop @ Hockeyandhighheels.com.

Now for Part Three...

Fans of  Vancouver Canuck/Team USA member, Ryan Kesler should know he has a line of sporty clothing, developed with a local Vancouver company, First Star. These aren't just clothes: they are wearable technology that happen to look pretty good.

This women's top has grown on me. The authentic hockey lace near the shoulder, at first look was a little different, but the more I see the more I like it. There is a guy's version as well. Model RK-204 $59.99 First Star tech includes Moisture System Transference (quick drying) Bio Sense Fit (hugs your curves) and BACT-OUT (helps keep your clothes smelling good for longer)
Model RK-204  $59.99

Well the ladies might enjoy this photo, and seeing their guys in Ryan Kesler brand underwear. These briefs have all the same attributes listed above. In other words  they keep dry, hug curves and will smell fresher...for longer?
Well, don't just buy him one pair!
Model RK 201  $21.99

For the complete Ryan Kesler RK17 line visit firststarsports.com. First Star Sports also has a local retail store in  downtown Vancouver: 851 Hornby Street, 604-681-6828

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She Plays Hockey is an Ontario based hockey clothing company that focuses on the hockey playing female. They have a great online shop, and today I am featuring their cute T-shirts with sassy slogans and quotes. Quotes like these...Sugar and Spice, but not on the ice, My Goal is...to Deny Yours (for goalies) and Pretty to Look at. Hard to Catch. T-shirt shown: Boys Wanted, Ladies regular fit, 100% cotton, $17.99. Click here to check out She Plays Hockey online store

Bela Hockey, Cammi Granato's company that outfits girl hockey players in gear and apparel made just for them, has introduced an inspiring gift set called "Granato's Gold". Includes an Air Mesh youth jersey, a personalized youth stick, a Katie cap, skating socks and practice socks.

Granato's Gold  $84
Choose red or blue
Visit Belahockey.com
 super cute!

And in the spirit of girls and sports, I present the "Girls Can't What?" Christmas ornament. Girlscantwhat. com is here to remind everyone that girls can do stuff, lots of stuff, anything they put their mind to.

Girls Can't What? hockey player ornament $22.45
available online at girlscantwhat.com

So, now I'm hear to remind everyone that Girls Can Play Sports. They don't have to sit on the sidelines or be content with waving the pom poms. Girls, get busy and get into the game!! Okay, I'm off of my soap box. Thanks for listening :o)

Happy Holiday Hockey Shoppin'!

A Better Perspective

                                       roaming super analyst, Ray Ferraro 

                                              
by Jan Snyder


I love listening to hockey people talk hockey, so I tune in whenever I can for insight that as a fan, I don’t have. This week, Ray Ferraro, a former player, current broadcaster, husband of Hall of Fame player Cammi Granato, and owner of the best nickname ever – Big Ball of Hate – held forth on NHL Live. He was asked about the Penguins and their problems with winning at home in their luxurious new stadium with all the bells and whistles. We, as emotional fans, are seeing all the downside. Fleury’s struggles, defensive lapses, the team trying too hard to entertain the home fans are all reasons that have been thrown out there.

But listen to someone who is unbiased give his opinion and it might put a new perspective on yours.

                                 Consol Energy Center
Ray says the Pens are about as “at home” in their new digs as their opponents. They haven’t played many games there yet and, haven’t gotten accustomed to the bounces off the boards. The ice has been a problem at times, and of course, that affects both teams, but the Pens have to deal with it in practice too.

When we add in the loss of Jordan Staal for the whole season so far, we can see that the other players have had to move around and adjust. Toss into the mix two new defensemen, the departure of Sergei Gonchar and that big loss on the power play, and there are more reasons to expect problems. Not excuses, just problems, problems that need to be solved.

But now the Pens seem on the verge of overcoming at least some of the difficulties at home. The team has now won three of its last four at Consol Energy Center. The overwhelming support poured onto the ice by the fans in his first game at home after not playing for a while spoke volumes about the fans and how we really can influence the game. With Fleury’s lack of confidence, not to mention, lack of play, the first game back could have been iffy. But the fans weren’t about to let that happen. Before the puck even dropped, loud chants of “Fleury, Fleury, Fleury” cascaded down from the rafters and into the ears of the Stanley Cup winning goalie. After the game, he thanked the fans in the arena and told them how important that support was to him.

Crosby is playing like the Crosby we all know and love now. Malkin is improving every game and Kris Letang is doing it all. The new defensemen are fitting it and I’m sure the players are still getting used to new teammates. Before much longer, barring anything else crazy, Staal will be back making a huge impact with his play. Now about that power play – still a problem, but it’s got to get better, right? Maybe the guys will want to pick it up as HBO comes to town to film every aspect of everything hockey. At the least, maybe we’ll get to see the strategy behind the power play.

Heinz Field, home of the 2010 Winter Classic

I can’t wait for 24/7 on HBO. How cool will it be to hear what’s said in practice and to see what the guys do away from the rink? I’m even curious to see the differences between what the Pens do as opposed to the Caps. Four weeks of the show just won’t be enough! But then the show will culminate in the Winter Classic at Heinz Field. I can’t wait for that either! After traveling to Edmonton for the Heritage Classic between the Oilers and Habs, I thought I would never spend that much time outdoors in freezing temperatures again. But how could I pass up the Pens and Caps at Heinz Field? I’ll dress in layers and hope to find Bailey’s to add to my hot chocolate!

So thanks, Ray, for making me think less like a fan and more like an analyst. You’ve made me feel just a little better about the “home” team.