Call it a Coincidence

This one is from the vault of the spooky and strange. It appears that some old antiquated hockey fans in the Duluth Minnesota area took it upon themselves a number of years ago to create a fan club for their beloved Bulldogs. This particular crew, not only travelled to the final four in Boston when they found some inspiration for the moniker attached to their club, but they also set a high precedent for what it means to be a bulldog fan. Led by the likes of the infamous tDHG (also known as the DrunkHockeyGuy, or when he is banned from other sites as somewhat inebriated hockey guy), tBeersong, and tBeard, they created an association known around the NCAA hockey circles as the Penalty Box. Not only do they have their own website, but they also sell to the current faculty enmasse their patented yellow and maroon fan club tshirts at all home games of the bulldogs. With their regular watering hole well established in the confines of the Curling Club, yes you do have to buy a membership to get in, even if you never throw a rock in your life, this group chose to call themselves The Penalty Box.

All of this was introduced to the mrs and myself this past year when the kid was asked to be a mainstay of the Bulldog hockey program. Of course we were welcomed with open arms, and some somewhat rather questionable shooters ( an attempt I am sure to try and get me to lose my faculties and actually become inebrieated). After a couple of encounters at this popular watering hole the family and I ( family including the kids billet hosts from his former hockey ramblings) have fond thoughts and memories of this very welcoming Penalty Box.

Needless to say, when I recently attended the Minor Hockey Week festivities in Fort McMurray at the local Minor Hockey Rink, a twinkle came to my eye, and a grin on my face, when I looked above the newly renovated and recently opened concession stand. For there in front of us was the newly placed sign to name the french fry and watering hole. If they only new the history associated with such a name. In any event I will of course have to pick up a couple of those highly coveted tshirts from the DECC on my next visit and provide them to the working staff at the concession stand in Fort McMurray. At least then their wardrobe would be consistent with the name that hangs above the counter.