Racchi’s Rug

A buddy of mine tried out on a lark. Career beer leaguer no higher than C and that’s pushing it. 50 or so years of age. Apparently you have to sell a bunch of sponsorships in order to get considered for the roster. To me, that’s a lot for the possible distinction of having a hockeydb entry at best. Also there’s another dude that made the team that never played youth hockey and just began in adult league at Ice Castle and has likely never delivered or received a check (hockey check). Not downplaying peoples’ dreams here but some shit doesn’t compute. If that’s what you want and it makes you happy, go for it. The team and maybe league will likely fold. This is a step down from the old MAHL. Several steps down and that’s not saying a lot. Makes Sticks and Stillettos look like Gary Bettman.

6 hours ago, Spear and Magic Helmet said:

From what I remember, the team actually had a different name and played one game, then folded and became this 2nd team. I think players were not getting paid and the hotel or whatever they were staying in was kicking them out b/c no one paid for their accommodations. John Mooney (yes, LJ's dad/Logan Cooley's uncle) played a game when he was 44 and by the end they were just taking whoever would show up to play games.

Towards the end they were. The Mooney game - I was one of 100 in attendance - was one of their 3 wins. Mooney fought at center ice and maybe scored a goal. I was fascinated by this train wreck that year as I am a minor league hockey nerd. The owner went by “Sticks and Stilettos” and lived in Florida. Very “Major League” - The team allegedly was not getting paid. The league now seems to have its shit together but then there was a wide disparity between teams/facilities/ownership. Although a team named the Baton Rouge Zydeco was just announced today.

1 hour ago, aaaahockey said:

After Peters put a beatdown on Lebo a coach came out for the next practice with a chrome green helmet and white gloves. I thought Flavio was here to get me. 

I think I played adult league with that guy if it’s the same guy I’m thinking of. He ran a team or two out of there and is a coach. Maybe the wrong guy. Anyway been a long time since I posted, hope you’re all well!

Speaking of ratings/rankings, there is an article at nytimes.com this morning that delves into the My Hockey Rankings system, how it was devised, and has quotes/info from the founder and his son.

Local interest story also as the article is based upon a game from an Allegheny Badgers-Trackers tournament game held at UPMC (complete with quotes and photos) last month.

not trying to shill the NYT website and I have no dog in this fight but I thought the article was interesting and some of you may think similarly.

Arenas and stadiums have 30-40 year shelf lives. The fact that there’s nothing to do but do to the Souper Bowl or 5th Ave. Cafe in the immediate vicinity of the arena ten years in is a disgrace. 

I think the old brand and logo needed a refresh as it was cartoony feeling (then again in the mid-90s that was the thing even in the NHL plus it was directly modeled from the Albany River Rats)…really like the Whiskey Rebellion tie-in, not many people know that it was fought in those areas of the South Hills. Nice work.

I never realized all of the schools with “Indians” OR Native American imagery as part of a name/mascot. West A, Peters, North Hills, Morgantown, Indiana, Carrick (same as SV with the Raider but a Native American chief mascot although the hockey team is the Cougars as we know), EF Warriors (mascot), interesting. And those are just the hockey ones, I’m sure there are way more.

42 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

I wouldn't be shocked. Look at that dump. 

Are you thinking Printscape? )Will always be Southpointe to me)

On 6/1/2021 at 3:51 PM, sadday4hockey said:

We all have one person and one person only to thank for this "Elite" mess. He seems to be very well versed at making a mess of things too. You can include the current state of youth hockey in Pittsburgh along with the current state of the NHL team and on top of both of those, let's not forget that giant cluster F that still sits empty across from the new arena. Almost 11 years and counting.

I’ve often thought about that issue. Arenas have a shelf life of 30-40 years before they are deemed obsolete. Maybe the 90s arenas that cropped up (Denver, Nashville, St. Louis etc) will buck that trend but the constantly stalled development on the old arena site is 11 years in the making and nothing has been built yet.  So they will be 15 years behind the 8 ball. There is nothing to do around the arena except go to the Souper Bowl or Cafe 5th which I am not sure is still open. It’s an embarrassment.

sorry if I derailed this thread and hope it gets back on track but the person you referenced that is responsible for all of this including AAA elite hockey has way too much power and influence in the local hockey scene and bumbles everything.

I have seen games at UPMC on many levels and no kid seems like they’re having fun TBH. It’s in the bench body language.

8 hours ago, Wes said:

What exact teams are these?

The goalie should be gone for the season. Disgusting.

I believe it’s EF vs Neshannock 

Sounds like that old beer league tournament they used to have at the Airport.

3 hours ago, champeen said:

As an LGP lurker/occasional poster from years ago, I just wanted to acknowledge your username.  Well done.

Lol, thanks. That post was so incredibly hilariously bizarre and out of nowhere I’ll never forget it (I wasn’t the OP on it though)

1 hour ago, sarampage said:

Are you sure it was 16U AA?  There were only three games yesterday and I was physically at the end of two.  I also watched the other on LB and didn't notice anything.  Regardless, I guess the main point is that parents are driving refs out of the games.  I know teens who have trained as referees, have done games for younger kids and now refuse to continue because of parents.

There was a President’s Day tourney at Alpha this past weekend that had a 16 AA Division.

I don’t think they report most PAHL games like they do for PIHL. They enter them in whatever that app is called (drawing a blank) and don’t do box scores etc likely because PIHL clock operators/scorekeepers are paid employees and PAHL employs anybody’s parent that is okay with freezing their butt off for 90 minutes. 
I will say that I am of the opinion that local high school varsity and PAHL AA 16/18 should have a 3 official system for each game. But that increases fees to organizations to pay one more official. Even though linesmen don’t call minor penalties except for too many players it would be useful for the referee to have two linesmen to watch scrums/make sure all of the players who committed infractions are kept track of and break stuff up. 

2 hours ago, AxlFoley said:

My tier 2 team is coming into Pennsylvania this weekend. Do we need to provide proof of a negative test?

Doubtful unless the organization you’re playing or the tourney you’re in requires it. As stated above, it’s all honor system here. 

20 minutes ago, aaaahockey said:

And those are readily available to the public?

You can get them at Med Express, they’re pretty available I’d say. I do recall hearing that they’re a little less accurate than the standard test that takes a couple days for results.

2 hours ago, aaaahockey said:

I think that is true but you have to get the negative result back before you can - how long does that take?

You can get a rapid test result in 15-30 minutes

I think that’s a 2 team race between Ringold and Carrick.

i neglected to mention Canevin. Strong team. Scoring depth and goaltending are solid.

I think that’s a 2 team race between Ringold and Carrick.

So districts are still in February, is that what I’m reading? As in late next month? Districts, not just playoffs.

I’m banking on the 18th of January personally. With the holidays happening there’s no way stuff opens back up that quickly.

I think Cal is just D3 and IUP has a D1 and D3 program. WVU has D1 and D2. Fun fact there’s a D4 and 5 in the CHE. I give them credit because they’re making kids dreams come true in a way by getting to play college hockey. Maybe kids will transfer from SRU to Cal/IUP that want to play hockey. Anyways I heard hazing was the reason also.

Wonder if the Philly cancellations have anything to do with them being in another USAH District. I’m pretty sure it’s a state thing though.

This is really interesting info that’s kind of lost to the masses. Brings me back to the good old days of the late 80s/early 90s.

Serra was such a powerhouse. Surprised not to see Seton LaSalle on the list, they had a decent program through the Bittner years.