Happy Hour: The Tale of the Crusader-turned-Outlaw

This time last year, we introduced the world to a pair of hockey fans who would help contribute here at the Pulse. The second fan, my good friend Eric Major, has been featured as a guest columnist here in the past. Today, the first “NHL Ice This!” interviewee makes his triumphant return to the site, in the guise of one Matt Savino.

For those who forget, Matt is a student at Belmont Abbey College (outside of Charlotte, N.C.), where he splits his time between watching hockey, playing hockey, and taking care of his studies. When we last left him, Matt was refereeing games in his spare time. Today, his alma mater is lending one of its most distinguished hockey gurus to the Charlotte Outlawz, a professional club in Major League Roller Hockey. Savino, a defensemen for the Outlawz and a man colloquially known as “the Guy with the Hair” around campus is helping bridge the gap between professional-level sports and his college. And he’s doing it as only he can.

“Everyone that goes out there has a passion for hockey,” Savino mentioned during a conversation. “We want to win out there, every time.” Savino, who originally hails from Miami and spent time living in Colorado Avalanche country, is among the go-to guys when you’ve got a question regarding hockey. Between his stellar knowledge and passion for the game, his athletic ability, and some would argue his immaculate hair care, Matt promises to standout amongst the Charlotte defensive line.

Savino is in his first year with the Charlotte Outlawz, who are themselves relatively new to the Charlotte area. The Outlawz are an expansion team in their second year with MLRH, which is the only professional full contact roller hockey league operating in the United States today. Other teams in the league can be found in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and in the Midwest. Games consist of four twelve minute quarters/periods, with a sudden death overtime period lasting five minutes in duration in the event of a tie score at the end of regulation. Similar to the new NHL overtime format, a game cannot end in a draw in Major League Roller Hockey. A shootout will determine the winner if a sudden death overtime period cannot. The league itself uses the International Inline Hockey Federation perimeters for any play deemed offsides, and is “open” to the idea of physical play.

“We’re not wimps over here. This is full contact, full fighting roller hockey.” He’s not joking, either. In a testament to the seriousness and physicality of the game, Matt broke the hand of another player during the tryouts last month. Take that, all you golf fans! The Charlotte Outlawz make for a great atmosphere, and you really owe it to yourself to check out a game. Playing at the Charlotte Sports Center (Ph. 704-597-7311), Outlawz tickets are only $5.00, and fans can sit right up near the action. The league begins play in November, and will run throughout the winter into early spring 2007. Matt Savino will be #12 in the games, but #1 in your hearts.

Here at Tailgate Crashers, we’re going to be following the Charlotte Outlawz here in Happy Hour in a weekly feature, something relatively untried before here at the site. We’ll be bringing you interviews, stats, and league news from a sport that stands apart as a nice slice of hockey with a twist. As always, you can count on us to deliver the best in sports opinions. If you would like to know more about the league and teams near you, check out their website at www.mlrh.com.