This Weekend: Time For Some Puck

If you read the newest edition of The Spotlist, you'd already know that I love playoff hockey. If you're a subscriber and didn't open it, c'mon, you're killing our open rates. If you're not a subscriber, then you've already broken my heart. Go to the homepage and enter your email address. Now!

Anyway, there's nothing better than a meaningful hockey game. I have to admit, I watched less regular season hockey this season than I have in years, but as soon as the playoffs started, I felt myself being sucked back in. Baseball is awesome because every pitch of an important game is absolutely pregnant with suspense. I averaged 150 beats per minute between pitches during the Phillies World Series run last year. But while baseball is agonizingly, gloriously gut wrenching thanks to its pauses, playoff hockey is almost as good because there are no pauses. When the game is over, you're legitimately exhausted. The Hershey Bears start the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs on Saturday night and I'll be there screaming my head off. Hopefully I'll see you there, but if not, here are some other suggestions for this weekend:

Friday, the Giant Center will prepare for some tooth-rattling, glass-banging playoff hockey by hosting a hoitey-toitey Wine Festival. I kid, it’s actually an awesome event and I wish I could go. A ticket will set you back at least $100, but some of the best vintners in the world will be on hand and the proceeds benefit the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Also on Friday night, WXPN will welcome k.d. lang to the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York. Not my cup of tea, but she’s still a great artist. Also in York on Friday, there’s a War of the Roses Game between the York Revolution and the Lancaster Barnstormers. I’m all for the White Roses in this one. Stupid Henry Tudor.

Saturday is chock full of events. It’s not supposed to be that nice, but if the weather turns, this weekend is the annual spring Apple Blossom Festival at the South Mountain Fair Grounds in Biglerville. Continuing the spring outdoorsy theme, there’s a Spring Discovery Walk at Wildwood Park. If you’re looking for something slightly more bourgeoisie, you can support Jump Street by attending Derby Day at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. In addition to the race, the mint juleps and the large hats, there’s an incredible silent auction and a drawing for a $15,000 cash prize. If you’re betting the race, throw down on Dunkirk for me. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so next Monday. Of course, the Bears game is on Saturday night as well. The Harrisburg Stampede are home against Baltimore too. Finally, on Friday night awesome local band Nate Myers and the Aces are hosting Harpapalooza at Appalachian Brewing Company. It benefits the American Diabetes Association. We’re talking about the mouth kind, not the angelic, ethereal kind.

Sunday, the Bears will take a 2-0 lead in their series against Wilkes-Barre Scranton. Also the scuffling Harrisburg Senators have an afternoon game against the Reading Phillies. Fort Hunter is also hosting a Garden Faire that runs for most of the day.

Have fun, kids.