29 April, 2018

Fight for Their Lives!





Shake the grip of the factions
Prove you have true worth
Take prompt and proper actions
If need be, move heaven and earth!

There is profit no denying
It threatens real pain
So, find the guts for defying
Those fixated on political power and gain

Fight for their lives
Though it may cost you money
Fight for their lives
Make children safer and our future sunny!

It’s time for steel in the spine,
Look fate straight in the face
Don't pretend everything is just fine
Give voice to justice; put fear in its place

Come on hard and with purpose
Fix your mind on a victorious end
Bring a halt to this circus, and
Make gun death numbers finally descend!



Larry Conley
19 May 2018




Every day, guns kill 7 American children; since 2012, 1,500 school shootings have taken place. 

Criticizing the Parkland students as entitled is irrelevant. Their message is compelling, timely and long overdue. They are raising their voices and asking all of us to join them. And we should. 



Photo credit:http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_60fa05ca-35d8-11e8-8e27-1b881698a101.html

26 April, 2018

Next-Man-Up







“One of the strengths of our team is a next-man-up attitude.”

Mike Sullivan – Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins


Teams eagerly seek to get up to speed
They strive relentlessly to advance and succeed
No stone's left unturned to get all they need
They make bold moves as the season comes to a close
And hope in the playoffs to profit from those

At the season's start hope fills every mind
They're shoulder to shoulder at the starting line
And will do all they can to leave each other behind
They’re proud and glad to seize every gain
They extol splendid efforts and exult playing through pain
Pressure mounts day by day and game after game

When the regular season comes to a close
The playoffs begin, and tension dramatically grows
There is neither respite nor an end to strife
In every series, each team fights for its playoff life
Starters are crucial, but sometimes they fall
Then, teams and fans realize stars can’t do it all

One series ends, and another begins
The past matters not; neither losses nor wins
If a starter is injured and unable to play
Some unsung hero must step in and save the day
In the grueling quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup
Victory usually turns on the efforts of the next-man-up!


Photo credit: https://theathletic.com/137149/2017/10/25/riley-sheahan-made-an-immediate-impact-in-his-penguins-debut/

Going for the Win!




How many shots must a man knock down
Before we call him the man?
Yes, and how many times must a good guy prevail
Before we all see he still, can?

Yes, and how many times must the victory flags fly
Before their unfurling is planned?
The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,
The Flower is going for the win.

How many times must a man rise up
Before we don’t need to ask why?
Yes, and how many cheers must one man earn
Before people, say he’s the guy?

Yes, and how many depths must be reached till we know
That none have more depth than this man?
The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,
The Flower is going for the win.

How many years should a franchise exist
Before it's as good as can be?
Yes, and how many years do teams have to persist
Before they're able to break free?

Yes, and how many times need a man hold up his side,
Before all of us finally, see?
The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,
The Flower is going for the win.


25 April, 2018

A Speed Game





Come all you young players listen close while I sing
For the love of hockey is a demanding thing
Hopes can flourish and then burst into flame
Which makes it essential to learn and play A Speed Game

Your age matters a little, but your name matters far less.
The home that you come from may provide succor or stress
You've worked all your life for victory and fame
Now you must prove you can expertly play A Speed Game

It's many long years since you began to play
And Pee Wee and Juniors have gone by the way
You've read of your heroes, and you wanted the same
Now show them all you can play A Speed Game

Hockey is all that a great sport should be
For over a century it’s grown in popularity
You’ve given up youthful leisure to drill and to train
But it all comes to naught if you can’t play A Speed Game

For years you have tried hard in various roles
Now It is crunch time for your hopes and your goals
And I hope I spoke the truth and made it quite plain
To triumph, you must brilliantly play A Speed Game

Come all you young players and listen while I sing
Success in hockey is a challenging thing
It takes years of learning and a spirit aflame
And requires you skillfully play A Speed Game!





Inspired by Mike Sullivan’s answer to the question during game six v the Flyers: “Do you need to make it as physical as they’re trying to make it?” Coach Sullivan replied: “No we’re just trying to play our game. We’re trying to play a speed game.” 22 April 2018