"The Soccer Mom on Steroids"

So stated Matthew Grose, who is the general manager of the SkateQuest rink in Reston,Virginia. He was describing a "hockey mom," who is enjoying a turn in the spotlight in the quadrennial circus known as the campaign for President of the United States.

Whatever your politics, most folks can probably agree (certainly hockey kids, if they know what's good for them) that "hockey moms" are, indeed, a special breed.

We couldn't find a reference in searching for the terms, so we're going to take it upon ourselves to declare October -- that month when the air turns frosty and hockey kids start thinking about getting on the ice -- "Official Hockey Mom Month."

Lipstick optional.