home | metro silicon valley index | features | silicon valley | sports news
Photograph by Josh Miyaji
Making the Play: Curtis Hodgson from Burnaby, British Columbia, will be back on the roster for the San Jose Stealth this season.
Stealth Fighters
By Felipe Buitrago
IT'S FINALLY legal to raise a glass with the National Lacrosse League, entering its 21st season this month. The San Jose Stealth play their opening round against the Rochester Knighthawks on Friday at 7:30pm at the HP Pavilion. The league, composed of 13 teams, will play a 16-game schedule that will be followed by Championship Cup Playoffs. Most of the NLL teams are part of NHL or NBA teams and use the same venues. If you've ever wondered what happens when there is no ice, but there are still pads and sticks lying around, well, that's lacrosse. With high-speed play, lots of checking into the glass and plenty of scoring, there isn't a dull moment. Familiar faces on the field this season will be strong defenseman Jim Moss, as well as forwards Jeff Zywicki, who scored 48 points last season, and Ryan Boyle, who tallied 44 and won the Rookie Scoring Title of the 2005 season. Unfortunately, the Stealth's strong arm, Derek Malawsky, has been traded to Arizona. But they say the third time's the charm, and with that the Stealth have acquired the NHL's 2005 MVP Colin Doyle, the Joe Thornton of lacrosse, if you will. The team are now looking bigger and better—with their third season the HP Pavilion is bound to cool off the competition even when the ice isn't there.
Avalanche Safety Lecture Dick Penniman gives a lively and informative slide lecture and video presentation about avalanches, their phenomena, meteorology, rescue techniques and more. Tue, Jan 9, 6pm. REI Saratoga, 400 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, 408.871.8765.
Climb Black Mountain Docent Strether Smith guides this 7-mile intermediate-level bike ride through the preserve. Reservations required. Sat, Jan 6, 10am-2pm. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, 650.691.1200.
Coyote Creek Bird Walk NPS docent leads this bird walk along Coyote Creek, observing migratory birds and learning about local birds, their habitat and their ecological importance. Sat, Jan 6, 9-11am. Free. Coyote Creek, Hellyer Ave and Piercy Road, San Jose, 408.779.9372.
De Anza Men's Basketball Vs. West Valley College. Wed, Jan 3, 7:30pm. De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8371.
De Anza Women's Basketball Vs. Cabrillo College. Wed, Jan 3, 5:30pm. De Anza College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, 408.864.8371.
Earthquake Hike Join docents Tommi and Strether Smith at the junction of the Pacific and North American plates to learn about local geology and earthquakes. Sun, Jan 7, 2-4:30pm. Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, 650.691.1200.
Foothill Men's Basketball Vs. Las Positas. Wed, Jan 3, 7pm. Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills.
Foothill Women's Basketball Vs. Skyline College. Fri, Jan 5, 7pm. Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills.
Mission College Women's Basketball Vs. De Anza College. Fri, Jan 5, 7pm. Mission College, 3000 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara.
Mushroom Walk Nature docents lead this discovery excursion along the hills at Filoli. Sat, Jan 6, 10am-noon. $10-$15. Filoli, 86 Canada Rd, Woodside, 650.364.8300.
Navigating With National Geographic Jeff Caulfield of National Geographic demonstrates how to plan a day hike or backcountry adventure using a GPS and TOPO Recreation Mapping Software. Thu, Jan 4, 7pm. REI Saratoga, 400 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, 408.871.8765.
Redwood Aerobics Trek through old-growth redwoods and learn natural history facts on this 7.2-mile hike with docents Suzanne Schleck and Rebecca Pickart. Sun, Jan 7, 9:30am-1:30pm. El Corte de Madera, Highway 84 and Skyline Boulevard, Los Altos, 650.691.1200.
San Jose Sharks Vs. Detroit. Thu, Jan 4, 7:30pm. $18-$125. Vs. Columbus. Sat, Jan 6, 7:30pm. $18-$125. HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.
San Jose Stealth Lacrosse. Vs. Rochester. Fri, Jan 5, 7:30pm. $15-$50. HP Pavilion, 525 W. Santa Clara St, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.
SCU Men's Basketball Vs. Saint Mary's. Sat, Jan 6, 7pm. Leavey Activities Center, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, 408.554.4660.
Sierra Azul Views Ride Explore the winter environment at Sierra Azul with docent Linda Wegner on this advanced ride covering 25 miles. Reservations required. Sat, Jan 6, 9:30am-1:30pm. Sierra Azul, Los Gatos, 650.691.1200.
SJCC Men's Basketball Vs. Gavilan College. Wed, Jan 3, 7pm. San Jose City College, 2100 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, 408.288.3700.
SJCC Women's Basketball Vs. Monterey Peninsula College. Fri, Jan 5, 7pm. San Jose City College, 2100 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, 408.288.3700.
SJSU Women's Basketball Vs. Louisiana Tech. Thu, Jan 4, 8pm. $7. Vs. New Mexico State. Sat, Jan 6, 2pm. $7. San Jose State Event Center, One Washington Square, San Jose, 408.998.TIXS.
West Valley College Men's Basketball Vs. San Jose City College. Sat, Jan 6, 3pm. West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga.
Send a letter to the editor about this story.