Minneapolis--The fledgling
Ice Rink Brawlers took their show on the road for the first time, opening to an energetic crowd of songwriter fanatics last night at the famous Kitty Cat Klub. The bash took a blow early on when it was announced by Team Manager
Josh Stigen that the hard hitting
Andrew Brown, who was acquired on loan from Nick Hensley's MNAKED squad, was diverted at the last minute with family issues. Possibly snot, but Stigen refused further comment. IRB went ahead and ripped cord all night, fulfilling many of its energetic promises.
Captain
Ashleigh Still, wearing red-sequined shoulder pads bedazzled the crowd, drawing oohs and ahs upon her entrance.
Thomas Kivi, showing no ill effects from a broken nose incurred during a recent outing, was outstanding. The mere presence of
Nick Hensley and
Joe "Derek Boogard's worst nightmare"
Carey was enough to hold off any wannabe songwriters who lurked in the back.
Nate Sabin's guitar was dripping with sweet sweat, and just before the buzzer dropped a couple nifty falsettos that sent the crowd reeling. Deceptively smashing
Sarah Pray had the crowd on their knees, or at least Mr. Kivi's.
Chastity Brown, a ringer on loan from the 331 knocked them dead without an argument.
Jeff Ray got away with stomping and sliding, no calls all night. Bystanders were sure
Nick Salisbury, who was sans mouth guard all night, said something midway through the last hour, but nobody could understand it above the bass beat bump. There was some inadvertent whistling, but otherwise it was confined to an unidentified players. Stigen and Still paired up for quick finish and Team President and B.W.B,
Car!L, closed it out just before time ran out.
Dean Johnson, normally a body-slamming funny guy, was super-sub for Car!L, providing gooey q & a's between periods.
DNP--girl friend's decision,
Carl "CT," "Cityman"
Torgerson.
—submitted by Ditzy Rhymer, Strib-Press contributing writer