Canada, Frig Yes!

That's right, frig. It's a Canadian thing for those who don't know, from a cult classic TV series we got here, Trailer Park Boys. The term "frig" comes from my favourite character on the show, Randy, a former male prostitute who loves cheeseburgers and doesn't wear shirts, he also has a massive hairy gut and is in a relationship with a drunken trailer park supervisor. You just can't find TV like that anywhere you look. One of the many things I love about this great nation that I live in, Canada. And it being Canada Day and all, I want to let you guys know, especially my readers from else where in the world, why I love my home of Canada and why you should totally come for a visit! 

I get asked a lot on where I was born, and here is my answer so you know. I was born here in Toronto, Canada. I have no background though from Canada, that is all Chilean, thus you know being ChileanStorm and all that. But I am so proud to also be a Canadian, extremely proud and grateful as well. Canada is a country that not only took in my parents, but also many Chileans looking for an opportunity to start a new life after our home was destroyed by the military dictatorship. I wouldn't be the man I am today if it wasn't for Canada, this country has taught me many lessons, to be polite but to be strong, to work hard for your goals and helps those around you. Canada embodies all of these traits. There are so many things we may take for granted here that we should really be grateful for, from library access to freedom of speech and identity, we have the right to be the person we truly want to be. And you know we have a lot of work ahead of us still to make Canada even better and to keep our great white North, strong and free. That means voting people, that means standing up for our rights and others, that means love in the face of ignorance and hatred. This our country, let's make it a great one. 

But why come to Canada? What should I see if I do end up going? That's a big question, because there are many reasons why you should come to Canada, plenty of festivals going on, great beer, amazing beautiful people all around, hockey, the amazing forest and wild life up North, the unique styles of Quebec, the ocean and the mountains out in British Columbia, Toronto is an incredible city (the centre of the universe, just ask the rest of Canada) and plenty more and more. If you do come here, you have got to try some heart clogging goodness of poutine, and if your heart rate doesn't slow down after eating, it wasn't Canadian enough. We also have really awesome Smoked Meat sandwiches and Beaver Tails, as well as plenty of coffee and doughnuts. Also something to know, Canadians party hard! If you have a big hockey game on and said city team wins in the playoffs, you will party until dawn. Speaking of hockey, we got plenty to see here from the NHL to OHL, AHL and plenty of other leagues around the country. And while the Maple Leafs are due a Stanley Cup, hopefully soon or at least once before I bite the bullet, when they do win (and they will), it is going to be an incredible party!

Doesn't get anymore Canadian then this.

But that's all the time I've got for now, going to be doing another blog later tonight, but giving you guys a heads up for tomorrow, I will be at Silver Snail sketching all day and selling some amazing art! So tell your friends and family, come down and take some awesome art home! Until then, party hard but be safe and a very happy Canada to everyone! Keep chasing the storm...eh.

The Fight for Stanley

I was really wrestling with this blog idea, because I feel that this is strictly an opinion on what I think is going to go down and really at the end of the day, maybe I am just a geek. Not completely a hockey geek, just a geek. But damn it, I have my opinions and I want to voice them today before the puck drops tonight for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. This is a pretty hype moment of the year, it always is regardless on how far away the Maple Leafs are from this picture. History is made, a new champion or a dynasty can take place, and really this is the series where anything can happen. So I wanted to give my opinions on both teams playing tonight, and maybe give my verdict on the winner, maybe. I am a Leafs fan, so my judgement isn't the best, just a heads up.

The Los Angeles Kings:

Oh man, these guys broke my heart when they knocked off my mistress team in the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, but that aside this team is looking incredible! The amount of fight in them is insane to see, from there come back against the Sharks, there fight with the Ducks and knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champions as well. So much fight in this team. When people want to describe a team that doesn't give up, these guys. And the amount of scoring from all the lines, it's what everyone wants from there team. The Kings are playing to win, and with the Stanley Cup experience in their back pockets, who can deny this team a championship?

The New York Rangers:

Kings meet the King. Henrik Lundqvist. This man needs a Stanley Cup to solidify his career, not only in New York but in the pages of history. And the Rangers have had quite a journey to get the final stage, taking out a rival in the Flyers, overcoming Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, then beating the Montreal Canadiens in the conference finals. And while the entire team has yet to play to their abilities, the guys who have been leaders have helped carry the team all the way here. But it's going to take a team effort to get over the Kings, but if Lundqvist shuts the door down then the Rangers have a chance to redo 1994 all over again.

But regardless who wins the 2013-2014 Stanley Cup this year, a big congrats to both teams, your cities should be proud. I don't really care who wins, honestly if they go to seven games I will feel like the winner. It's going to be an awesome series regardless, I can't wait to see history tonight. But that's my look on both these teams, what about you? Who do you think is going to take home the glory? Let me know in the comments below, I will see you guys later, til then keep chasing the storm! 

Be That Team...

You know guys, fellow buds of the Leafs Nation, sometimes it needs to be said. You know that team that's playing right now for a spot in the Stanley Cup finals, the one that swept one team and beat a bitter rival. An old team we may know, the Montreal Canadiens. Yeah, those guys. You know what, we need to be those guys. Seriously. The team is far from perfect, hell without Price they may not make it past the Rangers, but still I would say they had a very successful season. To be one of the last four teams standing is extremely impressive these days, and even with a loss these guys are a few moves and trades from being the most dominant team in the East. The fact is, we may hate them or respect them, but we have to get that level. This a team that beat the Bruins in their own backyard. Look my point is this, we can complain all we want about their bandwagon fans, their cocky fans, their players, hell why not complain about Youppi. At the end of the day we need to take notes. A team that starts from the star goalie, a core defence and changeable offensive lines. This is a team that scores with speed and skill, quite similar to the Maple Leafs earlier in the season, you know before we took a dive off the cliff. And we have two really good goalies, guys who faced Florida Luongo amount of shots per night. The Maple Leafs need to create some kind of defence lines, and a lot of it depends on our current captain, Dion Phaneuf. But we watch these Habs, see what they do and hold on to all of our young talent, we should be able to put up a fight in the division. 

I know I've got a lot of Canadiens fans in my family and among my friends, and I will be the first to say, I wish them well in the series against the New York Rangers. And if you guys make to the finals, the Western champion is going to be quite the challenge in the Blackhawks (go Hawks go) or the Kings. Regardless who you face, that's going to be quite a series. But the best of luck to the Montreal Canadiens. From an non bitter Maple Leafs fan. You heard it hear folks. Let's hope we can pick up a few of these tricks for the next season.

Let's enjoy some hockey! Storm out. 

What the Heck?!

Okay so first off, this is kind of my response or feelings towards this article, so please click here and give it a read. But the long story short, an 11-year kid in Winnipeg goes to a Jets versus Islanders game to see his favourite team, the New York Islanders, rocking his favourite player jersey, John Tavares. Basically he gets heckled out of the freaking building. A kid. A kid who just wanted to enjoy the game for all it's worth and for all the magic. But no, instead he gets heckled by some extremely rude individuals and probably doesn't have a great night. However, reading about this story from home (due to a knee injury), John Tavares decided to send over some things over to this young fan, including an autographed jersey as well. Amazing, that is a beauty of a player. And it helps this young fan still retain faith in the game.

So what do I feel about all this? I feel like this is something that takes place way too often! And quite frankly I am sick and tired of hearing about it. Can we not allow others to just enjoy the game? Seriously though, we need to cut all this heckling crap out of the arenas and out of the game. Sure we can have rivals and opponents and discuss points on one and others team, but all with respect for one and other. Look, I take shit almost on a daily basis for being a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A team that has not won the Stanley Cup in over 40 years, a team that has been mismanaged for years and a team that just recently got out of some dark rebuilding years. So why am I Maple Leafs fan? I don't know, cause blue and white looks good on me. Or maybe because I like maple syrup on my pancakes. Or maybe because I was born in Toronto and I have strong memories of growing up here and watching the team fly and heroes like Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph take the city on a wonderful hockey ride. This is my team. That being said, don't shit on me for it. I know this teams faults and I know what we have done and what we haven't done. I hear it so often, a groan and possible eye rolls at the sight of the blue or white leaf on any piece of clothing that I have. I have no hate for any team in the league, nothing but respect to be honest. When the Maple Leafs play, of course I am counting to cheer for my team to win, but I am not going to be a spiteful and hateful person to others just because our teams are playing. Being a dick isn't going to make your team any better. And let me make one thing clear here, I have seen Maple Leafs hecklers and that pisses me off as well. Because here is the thing, I respect the hell out of the Montreal Canadiens. I really do. This teams has so many legendary players and teams, and let's face it, probably the greatest team ever assemble on ice. The Ottawa Senators, a great rival as well. Some of the best Maple Leafs memories have been against the Sens, a team that gives us more hockey in Canada and Ontario, and an organization that has had it really hard being stuck in between the Habs and the Leafs but that have remained strong and created their own identity. The Boston Bruins, the guys who dropped the Leafs off the playoffs after being down in the third period. Another legendary team that has been consistently strong, the Bruins are the team that everyone wants to look like. I don't think I am a unicorn, I am just a guy who loves to watch the game of hockey and I appreciate all the history and aspects of the game, including all the many teams and fan bases. And I think we can do that too, cheer for our teams and enjoy a beer next to a guy in the opposite team jersey. 

So that's my take on this little topic, with just a handful of games left in the regular season it's almost time for the playoffs, and that means games get more and more intense. But regardless who takes the cup this year, let's all sit back and enjoy the show. Less hate, more mates. This has been the ChileanStorm on hockey, keep your head up and your stick down and always chase the storm.