Sunday Morning Blackhawk Talk

This morning, I was trading text messages with one of my closest friends. He has recently returned from two weeks in Europe and, since he and I talk fairly frequently, we have some catching up to do. Part of our ongoing conversation over the past two days has been the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers.

In a text to my friend this morning, I wrote:

"Yeah, nice goal by [Blackhawks forward Tomas] Kopecky to wrap it up [broke a 5-5 tie in the third period]. (I once had an opposing counsel with that name.) Flyers will likely play more intense defense in game 2."

The lawyer I mentioned is attorney James L. Kopecky. I don't know him well, but many years ago, he and I represented opposing parties in some construction litigation. It was as competitive as any litigation I've done in my career, if not more so, but I'm still happy to remember Mr. Kopecky's thoroughness, professionalism, politeness, and civility. I believe Jim is in solo practice now. I'll plan to contact him this week to reintroduce myself.

For all of you AHL fans, of which I am surely one, the final round of the Calder Cup playoffs gets underway this week, starting Thursday. The finalists are the Hershey Bears and the Texas Stars. It, too, looks to be a good series. You can get more details here.

So many sports, so little time!

Calling All Albertans... Event on Saturday, May 8, 2010

I'm posting this announcement much later than I had hoped, but here it is anyway.

My friend Steve Boissoin, who lives in Calgary, Alberta, sent me an announcement about the "Rumble in Red Deer," a boxing event that will happen on Saturday, May 8, 2010, in Red Deer, AB. From the announcement:

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Alberta's Best Amateur Boxers & White Collar Boxing: Your next door neighbour, your teacher, your coworker battling it out in the ring for 3 rounds after only 12 weeks of training.

The Red Deer Boxing Club and Piper Creek Optimist Club present the Rumble in Red Deer 2010 - Fight for the Cure.  Featuring Red Deer Boxers, from lightweight to hard hitting heavyweights, who will be defending our turf against opponents from all over Alberta.  Plus White Collar Boxers who have stepped out of the office and into the ring after only 12 weeks of training.  Last years’ event was sold out so get your tickets early, or call 403-304-5400.  Proceeds support the Red Deer Boxing Club Programs, and Young Adult Cancer Canada.

General Admission Doors open at 7:00pm - Boxing starts at 7:30pm

This is another "Fight for the Cure" Boxing Event. All proceeds go towards supporting the programs at the Red Deer Boxing Club and youth affected by cancer. We chose this cause because no one is left untouched by this terrible disease, even our own at the club.

All the additional details you need are available at the following site:

http://www.rumbleinreddeer.com

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Best wishes to Steve and the Red Deer Boxing Club for an amazingly successful event. They're promoting a great cause that will benefit the lives of many people. Good work!

And, Steve, I was serious about my offer to box in the event next year, if you can use another "white collar" guy in the ring, so please place me on the list of people who will get advance announcements. Heck, I might even have a Canadian lined up who would be a suitable opponent (an engineer who is finishing up his Ph.D. in optics at Carlton University in Ottawa.)

Keep up the fine work, and my apologies for the delay in posting this.