If one thing in Kevin Smith’s life rivals his passion for movies, it’s his love of hockey (and particularly the New Jersey Devils). The writer and director of Clerks and Chasing Amy visited enemy ice in the form of the Detroit Red Wings’ Joe Louis Arena to chat with Mitch about Smith’s next film, Hit Somebody, which is based on a song of the same name that Mitch wrote for Warren Zevon.

It chronicles the ambitions of a bruising Canadian farmboy who dreams of scoring goals but is valued only for his ability to land punches. With the Wings practicing in the background, the two talk about the origins of the song, the setting for the film, what it meant to play “old-time hockey,” and the sport’s curious connection to a lady named Byng.

You can see the pure joy on Kevin’s face as he sits in Detroit’s historic Joe Louis Arena with a live practice going on right behind him, eventually even setting foot on the ice. To be a fly on the wall for what looks to be THE first live meeting between these two guys is a real treat for us, too. Two artists in two very different venues talking about their common love of the game…Just makes you see how this movie’s gonna be magic, doesn’t it? Those of you unfamiliar with Albom or his work can also get a good feel for the guy in this 15 minute chunk of clippage. You’ll also find some snippets of the song as well as a complete live performance from Warren Zevon attached to the official page. Albom also shares a few words about his inspiration to write the song.

Mitch Albom Live: Webisode #5 is our top pick of the week here at News Askew. Don’t miss it. This project is the one we think Kevin’s been waiting his whole life to make. On the project, Kevin says: ” I dream about it 24/7.” This one’s really gonna be something speical.