The Playoff Hype Begins
Team Chaos took a well earned break, as they prepare for their first playoff game next week against the Fire Puckers. With home ice advantage locked up throughout the playoffs, Head Coach George Avery gave his skaters some time off to reflect on the regular season and get in the right mindset as the team looks toward its third consecutive championship.
While the team prepares for another extended playoff run, the annual media circus kicked off this week, as reporters from around the world descended on Westminster, CO to begin their coverage of the playoffs. The league has scheduled at least one media day before each playoff series, with the first event taking place yesterday.
Each player and coach took a turn at the podium to answer questions from a standing room only crowd of television and print reporters from seemingly every major US city, along with numerous foreign countries. Cultural differences and the fact that many of these reporters have never covered hockey before can lead to some interesting questions being posed during these sessions.
As the first member of Team Chaos to take questions, Head Coach George Avery got the press conference off to an odd start as he responded to a series of queries from various reporters. One correspondent from the Style Channel asked “How do you keep your hair styled while wearing a helmet?” Always happy to oblige a serious media question, Coach Avery discussed the origins of his unique hairstyle and the various hair care products he uses.
All-Star Defenseman Steve Richter received several questions about a possible switch to offense after recently scoring his first goal of the season during a scrimmage this week. “My goal is to help this team win another championship,” said Richter. “Sure, I could move to forward and start racking up hat-tricks, but I believe I bring the most value to Team Chaos as part of the top defensive line in the league.”
Rookie Joe Lochi, whose off-the-ice social life has become front page tabloid fodder during the season, used his interview session to address all of the media speculation and let everyone know that hockey is his priority. “I’m all about skating, not dating,” said Lochi. “My focus is always on Team Chaos and my development as a pro hockey player. By the way, I wanted to announce my new reality show that will appear on E! next Fall. It’s going to be called either Lochi’s Love Connection or For the Love of Joe. I am looking for my soul mate and I’m certain that a TV show is the best way to find her.”
The question of the day came from a Brazilian reporter who asked Coach Avery, “Will you marry me?” After giving the question his usual careful thought and consideration, Avery answered “No”.
The playoffs kick off next Thursday at 9:00pm MST, as the Chaos take on the Fire Puckers in what is sure to be a hard fought first round match-up. While rabid fans braved the Colorado winter and camped out for nearly five days outside the box office, a few obstructed view tickets remain for next week’s game. ESPN has still not committed to televising the game, so stay tuned to your weekly Affiliate Newsletter and visit www.HockeySkate.net for the latest updates!
