Saturday Night + Crunch & Munch = Good Times

Ever have those moments where something will happen to remind you of a fond memory from long ago. Well, I had one of those moments last night.

While watching TV, I stopped my channel flicking long enough to land on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, particularly, Coach's Corner. The first chords & notes of the intro music represents pure Canadiana. As a kid, my grandmother (Memere) and I would settle on the couch with a glass of pop, some chips and sometimes, as an extra special treat, some Crunch & Munch, and watch that particular Saturday night's match-up. Now while we would watch a majority of the game, the real thing we were anticipating was Coach's Corner with Don Cherry and Ron McLean. Memere and I would comment on Don's shirts and ties (which my grandmother loathed), his commentary, overall demeanor or how mean he was to Ron. At the time, it appeared to be a relatively benign activity, however as I get older and wiser, it impacts me greatly when I remember those times and realize how truly important they were and continue to be, even today. When I watch it now, I smile and reminisce of how good and simple life could (can) be in little ol' Fredericton watching hockey on a Saturday night with some Crunch & Munch. Even though Memere isn't here to watch it with me in person, I know she's somewhere at a kitchen table, playing cards with her favorite people, sipping on a Ceasar and listening to Hockey Night in Canada in the background. Now that's one party I can't wait to attend...

Click Here for Don's viewpoint on 'softening' the game of hockey...Classic

Say what you will about Don Cherry but he is Mr. Hockey. Along with Wayne Gretzky, there are the true ambassadors for the sport, albeit bi-polar. They are different in many ways, however some of the ways in which they are similar, is their love of the game and their pursuit of maintaining its integrity and intensity.

Now you might not always agree with what Grapes has to say or his method of delivery, and a difference of opinion is ok, however it's hard to criticize Don's efforts at teaching the young kids the valuable lessons of the game - the fundamentals, if you will. Another thing that has struck me while watching Coach's Corner recently is Don's increased sensitivity. Maybe he always has been and I didn't notice or maybe it's bubbling a little closer to the surface but I get a little ver klempt when I hear him talking about young hockey fans battling illness or disease or paying tribute to Canada's fallen soldiers.

I watched part of a game on NBC recently and something seemed off, it seemed too rehearsed or robotic. CBC and HNIC really have the market cornered on quality hockey commentary. The Ron/Don duo truly are a national treasure and along with Harry Neale and Bob Cole as play by play announcers make an awesome team.

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting...