NY Hockey OnLine
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A Mystery & Miracle in Lake Placid By Janet Schultz
M
iracles happen in Lake Placid, even after the 1980 Miracle on Ice. This time it’s happening to the Puck Hog and his teammates when it looks like victory is within reach and things falls apart for the team right before the big game. “The inspiration for this story comes from our trips to Lake Placid,” said Christie Casciano, author of “Haunted Hockey in Lake Placid, The Puck Hog Volume 2.” “Our family skated on the oval outside the arena, we’ve seen “Miracle on Ice” a number of times and when we walk inside the arena we were in awe to actually play on the ice where “the Miracle” took place,” said Casciano. “Lake Placid is the ideal spot for mystery and miracles,” she continued. “This story follows the theme of believing yourself, despite what others think.” It encourages parents to allow children to make their own decisions and support those decisions by staying positive. “Parents need to be good role models,” said Casciano. “But on the ice parents need to let coaches do their job.” There is a lot of mystery, action and surprises in this volume. “I want kids to be excited about reading,” said Casciano. “Sophia finds a spiritual advisor who at times gives inspirational messages to the teams through a player.” “It also talks about how to handle a victory while the losing team is on the ice,” she continues.
Once again Casciano has joined up with the Syracuse Crunch to go into schools, share the book and do readings that will show children how to achieve their own goals. “We also want to show them that it’s good to help others Casciano helps Daughter around you,” said Casciano. In addition to reading, goals Sophia with her stick. (Photo and achievement, the Syracuse courtesy Casciano) Crunchman has been delivering messages about bullying which includes advising hockey teams to celebrate their achievements, but not by putting others down. “The first book was reality, this one is mystery,” explains Casciano. “With the hockey it definitely has a local flare so the reader needs to read the entire book.” At the premiere of the book in a Syracuse area Barnes and Noble, over 200 people stopped in. Will Casciano have a third in the series? “We’re working on that,” said Casciano. My daughter is coming up with a storyline. This is a family affair with everyone collaborating on what and where the action should take place.” Casciano began writing by observing teams and spectators in the hockey rinks her children played in. With a media background she decided to write “The Puck Hog.” “It’s been fun and it’s for my kids,” she explains. “It’s not a job. It brings joy to me and I get such a great feeling doing it and sharing the stories and themes with others.” Casciano is a television news anchor in Syracuse. She and her husband, John Burns, have two hockey players in their family. Son Joe plays high school hockey and Sophia plays in the Syacuse organization. Casciano can be followed on her Syracuse Hockey Mom’s Network , www.thepuckhog.blogspot.com and you can become a fan of hers on Facebook. Book illustrator is Casciano’s sister Rose Mary Casciano Moziak. Moziak is an advertising designer for Spirit and Sanzone Distributors and also freelances. She and her husband, Don, along with sons, Christopher and Daniel, reside in Fayetteville; where they are also involved with hockey. Books can be purchased at Barnes and Noble Booksellers or through Amazon.com.(