As I walked into Chaparral Ice for last Saturday’s Rolling Roadshow screening of cult classic Slap Shot, wearing my short-sleeved T-shirt and sandals, I instantly realized my ignorance of that which is the world of ice hockey. I grew up in the Deep South, so how was I to know that buildings which house ice rinks are actually cold? Hey, it’s geographically not my fault, and I’m part of Generation X; therefore, I get to blame my parents.
Austin’s biggest fans were out in full tilt for the Paul Newman hockey classic about a team of misfits and goons. (Rolling Roadshow screened the decidedly more kid-friendly The Mighty Ducks earlier in the afternoon; both events benefited the Youth Hockey Foundation of Austin.) Moviegoers wore Charlestown Chiefs jerseys, parkas, and thick socks and took part in premovie entertainment that included a game of human bowling. With a human as bowling ball and beer kegs for pins, it was drunken entertainment at its best.
After the movie – which earned a standing ovation from the crowd – I left feeling satisfied but without any sensation in my feet. I knew this was going to be the first time I ever used my car heater in the middle of August.
This article appears in August 22 • 2008.