Last week the Sioux ran into a buzz saw on their way to their pre-ordained national championship. 

Monday, Michigan Tech coach Jamie Russell sent out an e-mail detailing the trials of his past 10 days, an ordeal previously known by only a select few close to the Huskies hockey program.

Ben Russell, 9, quickly went from being hospitalized in Houghton with a relatively routine viral infection to being flown to a Milwaukee hospital with a life-threatening bacterial infection that was attacking his kidneys. Jamie immediately left the team in the hands of assistants, Pat Mikesch, Chris Tok, and Randy McKay, and went to Milwaukee with wife, Linda, to be with their boy.

Ben’s condition had stabilized enough by last Friday that Russell was able to return to Houghton in time for the Huskies’ game with the top-ranked Sioux. But upon arriving in the locker room, Russell found that the emotions of the week made it nearly impossible to talk. When the team returned to the room after pregame warm-ups, they found their coach had left this message on the chalkboard:

“I thought I knew what tough was. This past week, my nine-year-old introduced me to a whole new world of toughness and courage. I REALLY want to win tonight for Ben, who is going to try his best to listen to the game.”

Well just like in the movies the Huskies handed the Sioux their first (and hopefully one of their few) losses on the young season (3-1-1).  And of course Ben got the game puck.  Good for him.  I’ve seen Coach Russell speak and while he seems like a hard nosed coach who wants his team to win, he really came off as a class guy.  If we had to lose a game this year that’s how I’d want to lose it. 

Best of luck to coach Russell and I really hope that his team has good results, until January 11th and 12th.

As for this weekend we’re playing the Colorado College Tigers at home.  These games are always entertaining as we’ll likely see two teams playing the speed/skill game.  I sure hope Coach Owens’ family is doing just fine.

If anyone cares here’s a good article about the team and it’s successes over at the NHL’s website.