News and Nibbles..

First, the news-there's not a huge amount of it today, however, apart from this..

Slava Koulikov to Hull: No, you haven't entered a time-warp-the Brit with the Russian name is returning to his old stamping ground in Humberside after being released by Basingstoke, in his fourth attempt to become a proper valuable Brit for Hull rather than the third-liner he's been up until now.

Another name to throw into the Panthers pot. And it's a doozy. David Van der Gulik. This comes from no less a source than the son of Neil Black, who decided to blast it out on a Facebook group. So you never know...

At some point, they even played a bit of hockey: Nice to see the LNAH doing its best to get rid of the "bush-league" stereotype it holds...fight fans just might find themselves in nirvana by clicking here.
By the way, all these fights took place in the same game...all nine of them, including four in the first six seconds! I've heard of sending a message, but that is just ridiculous...

And now, the nibbles: Given that it's around lunchtime, my thoughts have turned to food, and in searching for a column idea today, I decided that, for all you epicures out there (that means one who likes food for those of you who are wondering)-the top five rink food delights I've had the pleasure of experiencing in my years watching the beautiful game...

5: Pork and Stuffing Batch (Newcastle): The pig roast at the Metro Radio Arena (though us old-time (ie from the BNL days) Blaze fans call it the Telewest after the previous sponsor) is fast becoming something of a legend around the league...it's the perfect way to keep out the cold of a Tyneside winter's day. Make sure you get the applesauce with it, though-it just adds to this meal-in-a-batch...

4: Stovie (Edinburgh): It's essentially corned-beef hash in a roll, but by God does it go down a treat when you're freezing your rear-end off in the cavern that is Murrayfield. Some fans I've spoken to say that the prospect of a stovie alone is worth the trip up there...

3: Fish Supper (Fife): Sadly, with the Flyers dropping down to the SNL I haven't had chance to get up there in several years. But if you do, head for the chip-shop near the rink (which from memory, you get to by turning right out of the car-park and heading straight on through a lovely dark Scottish winters' night after the games), and experience the legendary fish-suppers. Huge in size, piping hot, melt-in-the-mouth chips-just the thing to force down on the coach back to the hotel...

2. Marmorkuchen (Duesseldorf): Hang on-selling cakes?! In an ice-rink? In Dusseldorf they do, given that the DEG Metrostars have one of Germany's biggest bakeries (Kamps) as their major sponsors. If you fancy something a little different to the hot-dog and coffee fare you usually get at rinks, then head for the second-best city in Nordrhein-Westfalen (and pair it with a Schlosser Altbier as well) Given that DEG play in the DEL, the hockey ain't too bad either...

1: Gilden und Currywurst (Cologne): Like Calder and Carlson, Gretzky and Kurri, this pairing is just meant to be enjoyed at a hockey game. Perfect German beer which you can drink like water before suddenly realising that you've had far too much to get home, and a tray of nuclear-hot curried sausage which has as much bite as the team's namesake shark will satisfy any hunger you might have, while also making you wonder just how you've managed to spend that ten euros you were saving for the post-match taxi home.

And on that note, I'm off to make my own lunch...feel free to share your own culinary delights in the comments, either those found in the rink or just down the road...

Keep keeping your eye on the puck...