With a padlock on the NHL, puck junkies can at least take comfort in knowing that the AHL is still alive and skating (with several major players making their way to the minors, to boot). The Barons, coming off last year's playoff-spiked season, return to the ice Saturday.
Offense defined the team last year, placing the Barons near the top of AHL scoring stats. This season, center Marcel Goc -- from the Barons' NHL parent, the San Jose Sharks -- joins the team. But he's not slumming, Goc says. "This is one of the highest leagues in the world. All of the best NHL prospects play in the AHL." The Barons take on the Manitoba Moose at 7 p.m. at Gund Arena, 100 Gateway Plaza. Tickets range from $9 to $25, available by calling 216-420-0000. -- Matt Leavitt
Reel Deal
Fishing fun fuels outdoors fest.
SAT 10/16
Watch out for the kid casters slinging fishing hooks on the lawn at Saturday's Youth Outdoor Odyssey. You can lose an eye out there! Before they move on to real live fish, little ones will get some on-land practice at Cleveland Metroparks' four-hour alfresco fest. Then it's into the water. And "There are no restrictions for kids under 16" on how many fish they can bag, says spokesman Bob Rotatori. In addition to all the rod-and-reel joy going on, there's a know-your-fish contest (so kids can identify what exactly they're pulling out of the water), a nature-bingo game, leaf-identification programs, and bicycle-repair tips. It all happens from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation (off the 49th Street entrance, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road, in Cuyahoga Heights). Admission is free. Call 216-206-1000 for more information. -- Chris Miller
Come Sail Away
TUE 10/19
Love is not just in the air. It's also on the water at the North Coast Sailing Singles. The club's 180 eligible members meet on the third Tuesday of every month to map out a summer season of day sails, sunset cruises, and an annual regatta. Once in a while, they sail to Lake Erie's ports of call for weekend revelry -- such as the Cork & Wheel Party on Pelee Island and the Big Kahuna Paddle & Tiki Bonfire at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park. Set sail at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the U.S. Coast Guard Club, 1055 East 9th Street. Annual dues are $40; call 440-835-4432. -- Cris Glaser
