Free Republic

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Local police took the unprecedented step of requesting that liquor stores in Vancouver halt sales early to curb public drunkenness ahead of the anticipated revelry from the U.S.-Canada showdown in men’s hockey. Maybe they should reconsider. Let folks drown their sorrows. About the only thing that remained warm and sunny in Vancouver was the weather after the U.S. men shocked the hosts 5-3 before 18,561 red-clad, flag-waving, face-painted fans at Canada Hockey Place, some of whom paid upward of $2,000 per seat to see the most eagerly awaited event of these Olympics. The U.S. victory...

CHICAGO (CNS) -- The puns are obvious: "Who IS that masked man?" "'Stick' with me, kid." And, of course, "Hey, fella, you're on thin ice." But in this case, the "fella" would be Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki -- all dressed up in a Chicago Blackhawks uniform and ready to take to the ice at the United Center.Neither is it all for show. Bishop Paprocki, 53, has been involved with hockey for a long time -- as a fan and a player. He was profiled in the December issue of USA Hockey magazine, where he was pictured in his...