Go Ice Tigers!

My buddy Claus cheers for the Nuremburg Ice Tigers in the German Hockey League.

Every season he goes in with high hopes, and every year when the playoffs start, he is brimming with efficient German excitement.

Unfortunately, every season the Ice Tigers meet Mannheim in the playoffs, and every season, no matter the seedings of the two teams, the Tigers come up short. I can hear the cursing all the way to Waterloo.

Last year, Claus promised a hot tub and keg party if they won the German championship. Unfortunately, they didn't even last a round, losing to... you guessed it, Mannheim.

When Claus first came from Germany on exchange and introduced me to the Ice Tigers, I was interesting in how things went for them, but I wasn't what you'd call a fan. But give me a reason to cheer for a team - such as the possibility of a party - and I'm there! Now I'm almost an Ice Tigers fan - although I'm more of what you would call a Mannheim hater...

Uh oh, Claus just sent me 15 MSN messages in a row. Something interesting must be happening in the latest game... oh, by the way, Mannheim leads the best of seven series 3-1. Nuremburg leads game five 4-3 in the 3rd... Stay tuned...