April would be a real eye opener in many ways. The first month brought its own share of ups, downs, and sideways moments. Then, there was month number two. Living in one of the high impact areas was a challenge. Imagine living just an hour away from New York City in the midst of a growing pandemic. Add in no hockey or hope of it and the world did begin to have that closed in feeling.
A month of testing and utter heartache…
From the second week of April until Mother’s Day, the days did not blend together like some thought it did. Sadly, it was a reality far worse. Little did I know that my birthday would change so many things at once. The well wishes were nice as I was getting used to working at Amazon. As I learned more things there, my birthday was filled with gifts and joy. That all was altered early that Monday evening.
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Ep 60: Vegas Takes Game 1; Panthers Set For Game 2; Cole Caufield
by Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Jim and Chris look at the Golden Knights Game 1 win and look ahead to Game […]
My Aunt worked in a veterans home in New Jersey. Unfortunately, testing and procedures were not followed well at all. As a result, my Uncle and their son developed COVID-19. Thought my Uncle was asymptomatic, my cousin was not as fortunate. His fever was persistent without Tylenol and eventually his lung functions rapidly failed. Just hours after I talked to him to wish him a Happy Birthday, he was gone.
“Little Jimmy”, as we called him, was just 33. He died in his father’s truck on the way to the hospital in their driveway.
The previous six months had been trying enough. I had already lost my brother in October and a close family friend in November. Dealing with the inconveniences of the pandemic paled in comparison to this. It was a tragedy of tragedies. My cousin was special needs. He was innocent. Little bothered him and he never expressed discomfort during that time. It was typical of a young adult who loved his guitar hero, cookies, and most importantly his family.
All the pain and tears were not going to bring him back but the feeling of utter isolation and anger became prevalent. Could my Aunt have done more to prevent spreading the virus? Probably. Would my cousin and Uncle have come down with it anyway? That is unknown.
With other family birthdays coming along the way over that next week, nothing felt right. The most surreal thing anyone will ever see is a funeral during a pandemic. My Uncle had to sign a waiver just to touch the casket of his dead son. Carrying the casket with a member of the cemetery’s staff felt weird in a way that cannot be fully explained.
That entire week revealed two things. One was I knew truly who was my family and the other was the hockey world which showed more compassion than I could comprehend. The well wishes and condolences came from all over the place. It was overwhelming. Those little things and acts of kindness are what matters during a time of crisis and pain. I remembered a few media members saying to me once that you have two families now — your family and your hockey family. Words like that could never have been more true.
The next several weeks brought increased isolation between me and my family. The only two things I focused on was family and work. It drove wedges into the people I cared about deeply. It was unfortunate but sometimes things do happen for a reason. My Uncle was clearly depressed. Understanding how I was when my Dad passed away was helpful. This was a decision that was fateful in so many ways. I knew the risk and knew there would be consequences.
On the other hand, blood is thicker than water. Taking a Sunday drive to see my Uncle just for an hour or so was worth it. He just needed someone to see and talk to. Sometimes that is all anyone needs. It meant the end of one relationship and a new beginning for another — my hockey family.
The second jolt in May woke me up to the reality that it was time to embrace my hockey family. It truly is an extended network of friends and colleagues that knows no bounds. We may not agree on everything but when it came to those rock bottom moments, few were there more than them. If I could thank every single person, I would in a heartbeat.
Is this the whole story?
Alas, that answer would be no. Sadly, the Pandemic goes on. Over the last four months, I have been tested eight times for Coronavirus and each test has come back negative despite all the high-risk situations I have dealt with. From food shopping to working on the front lines to venturing all over, it continues to be a daunting challenge. Cases are rising in New Jersey once again. Relaxing some rules and adding others has brought a second wave of anxiety and worse to many.
The hockey family continues to be supportive as the NHL appears poised to return by the end of this month. Will things ever be normal? Certainly not. However, the opportunity to cover the sport I love even from afar renews some small bit of hope. It is little solace to what has occurred over the past 120 days.
Finally, the story does continue because the pandemic is far from over. After all, this is only the beginning. The rest is still unwritten but thanks again to that growing hockey family.
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Ep 60: Vegas Takes Game 1; Panthers Set For Game 2; Cole Caufield
by Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Jim and Chris look at the Golden Knights Game 1 win and look ahead to Game […]
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Ep 59: Stanley Cup Final Preview; Game 1 Thoughts
by Full Press Coverage on June 4, 2023 at 1:43 am
Jim and Chris give their thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final between Vegas […]
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2023 Stanley Cup Final and Los Angeles Kings Talk with Dennis Bernstein
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Jim Biringer speaks with Dennis Bernstein of the FourthPeriod.com, Host of […]
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2023 Stanley Cup Final Talk - Vegas Golden Knights with Willie G. Ramirez
by Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 12:39 am
Jim Biringer speaks with Willie G. Ramirez of ESPN Las Vegas, The Sporting […]
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Ep 83: Stanley Cup Playoffs Are Here; Can Bruins Keep Up Pace?
by Full Press Coverage on April 17, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Ian and Chris are back to give their thoughts on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, […]
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Ep 82: Bruins Set Wins Record, Pasta Hits 60, Playoffs Around The Corner
by Full Press Coverage on April 10, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Bruins 63rd win of the season, David Pastrnak's […]
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The Hockey World Revolves Around Toronto
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Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey as he is […]
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S4Ep28 - Stanley Cup Playoffs - Conference Final Preview
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Jim is back for the fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey previewing […]
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Golden Knights at Panthers
by Broken Controller Media on June 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Panthers at Golden Knights
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Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Panthers at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on June 3, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 29, 2023 at 4:20 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
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Episode #141: Tend The Goal
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm
The 2023 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs have reached its final four teams, and […]
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Episode #140: Stone Cold's 4th Line
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm
And then, there were four. The 2023 AHL Division Finals have concluded, […]
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Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, June 8th
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After Connor Bedard going #1, who are some prospects to look at for the […]
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Full Press Kraken - Thursday, June 8th
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Areas of improvement, prospect look and AHL playoffs. Learn more about […]
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Full Press Islanders - Wednesday, June 7th
by Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Lou Lamoriello holds a press conference yesterday we talk about what was […]
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Renegades Of Puck Ep 770
by Charlie Saunier on June 6, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Ep 770 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 6 & Preview Calder Cup Final […]
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Full Press Hurricanes - Tuesday, June 6th
by Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 5:20 pm
A brief look at game one of the Stanley Cup Final and potential draft […]
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Full Press Blackhawks - Tuesday, April 6th
by Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
It is the Connor Bedard show at the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Will Connor […]
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6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Merge
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 2 win over the Heat and the recent […]
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6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miami
by Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Ian and John discuss the Golden Knights dominating win and look ahead to […]
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6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love
by Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Ian and John discuss the Heat's win over the Nuggets, the Golden Knights […]
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6/2 - Nuggets Take Game 1, Barry Bonds, Stanley Cup Chat w/ Jim Biringer
by Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 1 win over the Heat, the upcoming […]