Rock You

I attended my first Toronto Rock lacrosse game at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on Saturday afternoon. Just after settling into my seat, we were asked to stand for the national anthem sung by... Helix's Brian Vollmer. My friend and I chuckled, but he did a decent job. But considering the Rock were playing the Edmonton Rush, we were hoping for Geddy Lee.

During a break in the action, Vollmer (clad neatly in black dress pants, white shirt and a black suit jacket with a fleur de lis embroidered on the back) joined two guys with guitars who were standing near us and sang Helix's signature hit, "Rock You." He sat down before the song was over.

Vollmer then pointed at people in the crowd and walked away. I could only assume that he was having an '80s flashback and addressing an invisible roadie and indicating the lacrosse moms he wished to be serviced by somewhere within the bowels of the ACC.

"Rock You" and Apollo 440's 1999 hit "Stop The Rock" (which the Rush couldn't do, since the Rock won their first home game of the season 16-9) were scored after Rock goals.

This was the first professional sports game that I can recall attending where neither team had a name ending in 's.'

It was an entertaining game, perhaps somewhat enhanced by the 84 ounces of beer that set the stage for the night-long pub crawl that followed, and I recommend checking one out. It's cheaper than a Leafs or Raptors game and, although attendance is good, tickets are always available.

I ran into former Universal Music Canada marketing guy David Lindores, who was waiting for Warner Music Canada promotion guru Steve Coady, before the game. He was wearing a Gilles Meloche California Golden Seals hockey jersey. I was very impressed.