The Mangler On Sports

This past Sunday night, I was honored to take part in Igor Ulanov Appreciation Night at
Room At The Top at the U of Alberta. That's right, an evening to honor the man for whom this blog is named! It was a splendid night of drinks, cake fashioned to resemble Russian flags, music, trivia, prizes, and of course a Mangler quiz and a video tribute for the man with the iron shins. People shared their favorite memories of Krasnokamsk's native son, and since the Oilers will not be playing meaningful games until next October, I found an event worthy of showcasing my #55 Ulanov jersey.

I'll share my favorite Uly moment here as well:

It was March of 2004, and the Oilers were in their usual mad-scramble mode to try to get into the playoffs, and were playing the Nashville Predators, who they were fighting with for the final playoff spot. It was a back-and-forth game, and appeared headed to OT with the score tied at 4 apiece and only a minute or so remaining. Coach MacTavish decided he needed his top defender on the ice for the crucial final moment and sent #55 over the boards. And then as I gazed on from the 14th row, a loose puck squirted to the Mangler in the high slot. He wound up, and boomed a shot towards the Predators net...and in it went! Ulanov had won yet another game for the Oilers, to keep them alive in the tight playoff race.

Here's a link to the Igor Ulanov Fan Club Website, put together by the fellow Ulanov lovers who made this night possible. It was one bright spot in an otherwise miserable season in Oil Country.

http://igorulanovfanclub.blogspot.com/