Tu boca viene a mí, solo tu boca.
Viene volando,
libélula de sangre, llamarada
que enciende ésta mi noche de ceniza.
Toda la sal del mar habita en ella,
todo el rumor del mar,
toda la espuma.
Boca para los besos dibujada,
donde duerme tu lengua tentadora.
Todo el vino del mundo está en tu boca,
todo el pecado
y la inocencia toda.
Boca que calla y cuando dice, oculta.
Capaz de toda la verdad tu boca,
de toda la verdad y la mentira.
Ríe tu boca y se despierta el día.
(Relámpagos de nieve hay en tu risa).
Como un tropel de potros me atropellan
los besos de tu boca deliciosa;
tu boca, mariposa equivocada,
tu boca ajena que se desdibuja
en mi noche de círculo y ceniza.

Si te ponen miedo mis ojos ausentes, mis ojos noctámbulos,
mis ojos dementes...
León de Greiff

No me culpes.
Por rondar tu casa como una pantera
y husmear en la tierra tus pisadas.
Por traspasar tus muros,
por abrir agujeros para verte soñar.
Por preparar mis filtros vestida de hechichera,
por recordar tus ojos de hielo mientras guardo
entre mis ropas un punzón de acero.
Por abrir trampas
y clavar cuchillos en todos tus caminos.
Por salir en la noche a la montaña
para gritar tu nombre
y por manchar con él los blancos paredones
de las iglesias y los hospitales.
Hay en mí una paloma
que entristece la noche con su arrullo.
Mi noche de blasfemias y de lágrimas.

During one-on-one defensive drills in the corners, defenseman Brett Wysopal was a standout. Even though he is the shortest player at 5-foot-7, Wysopal uses his lower center of gravity to his advantage. Against left wing Scott McCulloch, Wysopal was a downright pest with his stick and not afraid to check McCulloch whenever possible.

Bazin also had the forwards practice backchecking by having them sprint down the ice, take a shot, and sprint back.

Fitness in the form of cross-ice sprints and serpentine skating patterns was integrated throughout the practice to Bazin's and Bonnett's chorus of "speed, speed, speed!" and "go, go, go!"

All together the practice laid out the ingredients of success for the Tigers this season. They'll be going all-out up the ice, generating shots with their speed. With the forwards backchecking aggressively, they'll try to create turnovers in the neutral zone and keep the puck from even reaching the young defensive corps and untested goaltender. When the puck gets into the defensive zone, each player will play in-your-face defense with the hopes of never giving their opponents an open look or an easy lane to drive the net.

Of course, all of this is easier said than done.

Only 11 days left until the season-opening exhibition against Calgary and 24 until the first game against Minnesota.

***
Here were Monday night's lines:
White Sweatt--Vlassopoulos--Walsky
Red McCulloch--Johnson--Testwuide
Blue DeBoer--Rau--Schultz
Gold Overman--McMillin--Patrosso
Maroon Thauwald--Lampl

What are your thoughts about these combinations? Post a comment.

***
An interesting article on the utility of face shields, which features the contrasting stances of Boston Bruin and former CC defenseman Mark Stuart, and his father, Michael Stuart, who is USA Hockey's Chief Medical Officer. It mentions Stuart's older siblings and former Tigers, Colin and Mike Stuart.

Tiger Tracks:
--Mark Cullen assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL).
--Marty Sertich reports to Iowa Stars (AHL) training camp.

Among the forwards' focal points were precision passing and toughness. One drill was devoted to taking hits along the glass while protecting the puck.

On the defensive end of things, senior Jack Hillen and junior Jake Gannon took charge, setting a hard-working pace in footwork drills.

Alternate captain Jimmy Kilpatrick (hip) and reserve sophomore Dan Quilico (ankle) watched practice from the bench.

Coach Scott Owens and athletic director Ken Ralph observed practice.

***
Both members of the St. Louis Blues' American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, last season, Peter Sejna and Mike Stuart remain on the free agent list. Although I never saw Sejna play for CC, I can't imagine that many predicted he would be on the outside looking in at 27 years old. See Sejna's career numbers here. Sejna won the 2003 Hobey Baker Award.

In reference to his bad-luck injury, former CC goaltender Curtis McElhinney says he is still adjusting to the NHL.

Recent CC grad Matt Zaba was released from New York Rangers training camp and will report to Hartford (AHL). Defenseman Brian Salcido will report to Portland (AHL).

Also, Thrashers win 4-3 in OT with two goals from Joey Crabb, one from Brett Sterling and an assist from Colin Stuart. Crabb, one of 13 players reassigned from training camp, will return to Chicago (AHL).

Do you have any thoughts? Post a comment.

Speaking of Captains
CC's first captain's practice will be held Sunday, Sept. 9, at Honnen Ice Arena, which is found on the northwest corner of W. Cache La Poudre and N. Cascade.

Coaches met with the team Tuesday. The Tigers' first game, an exhibition against Calgary on Oct. 6, is just more than a month away and will occur on the first official day of practice. With the first three series against NCAA heavyweights Minnesota (Western Collegiate Hockey Association), New Hampshire (Hockey East) and North Dakota (WCHA), every day counts.

Straub To Attend Avalanche Rookie Camp

Stay tuned to The Gazette this week for more coverage as former CC defenseman Brandon Straub tries to make his mark at Avs Rookie Camp, which starts Saturday, Sept. 8, and lasts until Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Centennial, Colo. Straub will join former WCHA players J.D. Corbin (Denver) and Nigel Williams (Wisconsin) at the camp.

Tickets
Season tickets are still available and individual tickets go on sale Saturday, Sept. 8, at the CC athletics website, the World Arena Box office or TicketsWest at 719-576-2626.

Radio Show Returns to McCabe's

Coach Scott Owens' weekly radio show will again be broadcast live on FM 103.9 from McCabe's Tavern every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m., starting Oct. 2.

Owens will also be on the air (FM 103.9) Friday mornings at 7:30 starting Oct. 5.

Save The Date

Here are some future CC hockey events that you might want to mark on your calendar:

Skate With The Tigers

--The biannual fan-friendly event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18, from 12:15-1:45 p.m. at Honnen Ice Rink and again on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Sertich Ice Center. Players sign autographs and talk with fans.

CC Hockey 70th Anniversary Celebration

--Events are scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 1-2, when CC hosts Clarkson.

Fun Fact

Both assistant coaches, Joe Bonnett and Norm Bazin, had family additions during the offseason.

--Coleston Bazin was born March 23 to Michelle and Norm Bazin.

--Sam Bonnett was born June 25 to Laura Hines and Joe Bonnett.