Well, it’s official. The Houston Aeros are moving to…Iowa. I’ve been to Des Moines. It’s a nice town. But losing our only tie to professional hockey pretty much sucks. I’m depressed. But I have to suck it up because there is lots more to do and I can’t get bogged down in something like this. I mean, I survived the Oilers packing up and moving to Tennessee, so I guess I can handle a team I only saw twice moving to the Midwest. Sigh.
Just as Clark Griswold took about ten seconds to admire the Grand Canyon, we took about ten seconds to mourn the Aeros, and now life must continue. My heart will go on, damnit! Ahem.
So here’s what you can do in sports this weekend to take your mind off of…you know.
5. Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, 8:30 p.m.
Comcast SportsNet Houston/TNT
Playoff action is back, baby (can I call you baby?). Now, the Rockets won’t be at home to start the playoffs, but TV is close enough unless you want to fly to OKC. The chances the 8th-seed Rockets will upset the defending Western Conference champions are the slimmest of slim, but seeing James Harden take his current team to the postseason against his former team is drama enough. Plus, there’s that whole experience thing that will be good for young ‘uns on the roster.
4. Houston Roller Derby
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Bayou Music Center
520 Texas
Houston
houstonrollerderby.com
The badasses are back for round number two of the derby season. First up are the Psych Ward Sirens versus the Bayou City Bosses, followed by the Brawlers against the Valkyries. Honestly, it’s one of the most entertaining sporting events in town and nothing says fun like ladies skating and kicking ass.
3. Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians
Friday, 8:10 p.m.; Saturday, 7:10 p.m.; Sunday, 2:10 p.m.
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford St.
Houston
astros.com
If the switch to the American League has done anything for baseball fans in Houston, it has given them access to teams that don’t normally make the trek to Minute Maid. One of those is the Cleveland Indians, who drop by for a three-game set over the weekend to face the woefully bad Astros.
2. Rice Owls vs. University of Houston Cougars
Friday, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.
Cougar Field
3100 Cullen Blvd.
Houston
uhcougars.com
When UH and Rice meet, you can throw out the record books! I’m kidding. In truth, these appear to be two fairly evenly matched teams and both have a long history of success even though the ping of the college baseball bat doesn’t drive people through turnstiles like the smack of football pads or the swish of a hoops net. The weather will be beautiful and the hot dogs will be warm, so hit Cougar field for a little fun on the diamond.
1. Sugar Land Skeeters vs. Long Island Ducks
Friday, 7:05 p.m.; Saturday, 6:05 p.m.; Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Constellation Field
1 Stadium Dr.
Sugar Land
sugarlandskeeters.com
Houston’s only minor league baseball team is back and opens its season at home facing the Long Island Ducks because if “Lahn GUYlund” is known for anything, it’s ducks? The Skeeters play in one of the nicest stadiums in town — seriously — and as with all minor league teams, there is plenty of entertainment on and off the field.
Additional Goings-On:
You know what, it’s going to be freaking gorgeous outside this weekend, so do yourself a favor and get out there and do something sporty. You don’t need an event. Run. Bike. Shoot some hoops. Play a little stick ball (assuming you live in Queens in the 1970s). Enjoy it.
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This article appears in Apr 18-24, 2013.
