By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

For anyone who watched the 2012 Masters Golf Tournament, it was obvious with every swing that Bubba Watson has never been coached. His father just gave him a golf club at a young age and said, “Figure it out.” No one does it in a more unorthodox manner, and as Nick Faldo remarked, “With every swing, Bubba eliminates another page of (conventional) golf instruction.”

Bubba’s swing resembles a mighty blow from an axe, aimed at a log too big for most humans to split. Beyond that, it seems he is trying to bend every shot around a huge Redwood tree that doesn’t exist. Even on tee shots with wide-open fairways, Bubba visualizes a big banana curve ball, sometimes a wild hook, sometimes a slice, whatever fits his creative imagination.

By Peter Knutson
Let’s Play Hockey

After 27 years of coaching the Elk River High School boys’ hockey program, Tony Sarsland has decided to move on to the next stage in his life. While coaching there, Sarsland amassed an impressive 588-277-26 record, 12 conference championships, and a state title in 2001. Sarsland will be deeply missed by the current and past players he has coached.

While 27 years is a long time to do anything, Sarsland’s exit was a bit unexpected and premature. Earlier in the year, Sarsland was accused of harassing his players and having an intimidating, aggressive personality. He first resigned on Thursday, Feb. 9, but three days later rescinded his resignation. On Monday, April 9, Sarsland turned in his official resignation.

While there is a large cloud of mystery surrounding these allegations, we did get a chance to hear what Sarsland had to say.

By Kevin Kurtt
Let’s Play Hockey Editor

Excuse me while I play the role of University of Minnesota apologist.

Golden Gopher hockey is back. Yes, I know Minnesota lost 6-1 to Boston College in the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla., last week. And, yes, I know the Gophers didn’t exactly have their ‘A’ game in the loss to the eventual national champions.

No matter.

After a hiatus as one of college hockey’s premier programs, Minnesota’s Pride on Ice is once again finally that – a source of pride for a state that bills itself as the State of Hockey.

By Diane Ness

Whether you are gliding, turning in traffic or standing in front of the net, a skater needs to give themselves a wide base. This means the skater’s feet should be about shoulder width apart, sometimes wider, with knees bent in a stable position.

By Chris Pryor

There was a point in time not too long ago that the above question had some value. The two cultures have had a different take on the game for a number of years but that gap is ever so closing.

European hockey has been, for years, a puck control, east-west style game, whereas the game played on the rinks over here is played at an almost reverse philosophy (north-south, dump and chase).