full stride's warm up tape

the hockey season is well underway, and it's safe to say i have officiated close to one hundred games already, from mites on up to college. after i hung up the skates in college, i was stayed away from the game for a while, with the exception of playing some pick up hockey at the outside rinks every now and again. it wasn't until i started officiating that i realized how much i missed being a part of the game.

don't get me wrong, i could play pond hockey until the cows come home, but there are a lot of little things that make a game day pretty cool; the pre game meal, wearing slacks and a tie to the rink, locker room banter with your team mates/officiating partners, the national anthem, and, for me at least, i always like when music is played during warm ups, intermission, and in between whistles.

however, and maybe this is just me getting old, the music i have been hearing lately during the games has been dredfully aweful. i thought maybe today's young hockey players might need a little guidance, so, after a long brainstorm, i have put together a list of songs that should be played at every hockey game.

it's been some time since i've heard any good old fashioned rock and roll at a game, so my list begins with the big guitars, big drums, and big hair of motley crue. kickstart my heart is essentail to a good warm up. mick mars' gear shifting guitar riff, and tommy lee's loud engine drumming is a guarantee to get your feet moving.

the louder you listen to ac/dc, the better they sound. if thunderstruck, highway to hell, and let there be rock are not cranked over the p.a. system during your warm ups, it's a scientific fact that your team is going to be weak in the corners, they're going to get pushed around in front of the net, and the goalie is going to handle your shots as if his seven year old sister was shooting on him. a scientific fact.

if you play for a team that turns off the lights has a light show during introductions, sandstorm by the finish dj, darude, needs to be played when your team hops on the ice for the first time. i must be honest here, and say that this song becomes redundant and only the first minute or two need to be played.

every playlist needs that one song that everybody recognizes, but nobody knows the title of or who sings it. while he was at michigan state in the early 80's, dan insisted this oldie, but a goodie, be put on the playlist. long cool woman in a black dress by the hollies was that song. he said his team mates gave him some grief for it, but i don't understand why...

no hockey playlist should be considered a hockey playlist without i wanna drive a zamboni by the gear daddies. without fail, this song should be played while the zamboni is making ice between periods.

finally, stompin tom connors wouldn't be stompin tom connors with out his greatest hit, the hockey song. it doesn't matter when this song is played during the game, as long as it is played. the hockey song should be played religously at hockey games just like "take me out to the ball game" is played at every seventh inning stretch.

so take heed, young hockey players, to this list. don't forget about the big guitars and big drums, don't forget about angus young, remember the hollies, and make sure you show some respect to the classics.