War on Ice

SAT 9/27

Being a hockey fan in Kansas City sucks. Remember way back when we had an NHL team? Think way back before we even lost our NBA team, all the way back to the ’70s. They were called the Scouts, they played at Kemper and they were awful (12 wins, 56 losses and 12 ties in the 1975-76 season, their last in KC). The Scouts became the Colorado Rockies, who became the New Jersey Devils, who won the Stanley Cup in 2000. Sigh. For one fleeting evening, the NHL returns to the ice under the floorboards at Kemper Arena (1800 Genessee) when the St. Louis Blues host (somebody had to be the home team) the Chicago Blackhawks. NHL 21, a local organization intent on bringing hockey back to town permanently, is eager to fill all the seats and show the world that Kansas City is ready to support a hockey team — no matter which one. The hockey cultivators hope to break the attendance record for hockey in Kansas City set at the 1973 inaugural Scouts game. Tickets, which are going fast, cost $30 and can be purchased at the Kemper Arena Box Office or through Ticketmaster. The puck drops at 7:35 p.m. For more information about NHL 21, call 913-219-7774.— Michael Vennard

Bruise Cruise

Get on the bus.

SAT 9/27

In the food chain, jayhawks and tigers don’t usually interact much. But given enough alcohol, the natural order doesn’t stand a chance. The Border Wars Bus Trip starts at Kelly’s (500 Westport Road), gathering KU and MU fans and people who just like to get drunk and shout things in large crowds. For $50, each rider gets a T-shirt, beer on the bus to Lawrence and a ticket to the game at Memorial Stadium. If you’re afraid of not having enough to drink, Border Wars parties at the Hawk before the game. Some might question the wisdom of packing a bus full of drunken rivals and beer to fuel them, but those people obviously don’t know how college football is played. Call 816-221-3402 for a schedule.— Chris Sebela