Untie me: Shootouts here for spring

Is there a Jussi Jokinen in this crowd? After a season in which nearly every team had ties in its record and one team (REDRUM) had FIVE, the league is going with a shootout format for ties.

We understand each team will be required to designate three shooters BEFORE each game to be used in the event of a tie. Here's the tricky part: Each player may be used in a shootout only once during the season until the entire team cycles through. That'll be an extra challenge for you coaches.

The shootout will not extend past the first three shooters, so ties are still possible.

Good move, Knute.

Watch us grow: Spring session will have 14 teams

We've just welcomed back the Puckers and Wolverines. Now comes word of two entirely new teams. The spring session will also include a team of youth hockey dads (We believe they'll be called, very creatively, Hockey Dads) and a group of firefighters, name unknown. Knute says he'll keep everyone in one, 14-team division.

The schedule still calls for two practices up front and probably a third practice session mid-season. There's no skills camp this season.

As for the Stanley Keg, word is Knute is intrigued by the idea of a playoff among the top four teams. Stay tuned ...

Euless I-League drums Grapevine

A mix-and-match team of Euless I-leaguers pounded the entirety of Grapevine's I-league Friday night in the second interleague Death Match. They quit keeping score early in the third, when Euless took an 8-0 lead on back-to-back breakaway goals by Bobby Sirkis (bottom row, far left in photo). They had at least two after that and spent much of the third period playing catch in the Grapevine zone. Seriously, it wasn't pretty.

Thanks to the guys who played: Steve Benefield, Bryan Conner, Chris Conner, Jason Delarosa, Mike Drago, Chris Duran, Jeff Eagle, Dan Grimes, Greg Hunt, Nick McMacken, Bobby Sirkis, Ryan Smith, Mark Widmann and a guy named Mike we picked up at game time.

It was fun. If they'll play us again next session -- I wouldn't bet on it -- let's do it again.

Welcome Back: Two old teams are new again

The spring season game schedule is not yet out, but Knute issued practice times for the first two weeks. The schedule shows the return of two old friends -- Puckers and Wolverines are back this season. We're up to 12 teams again.

As I understand it, the usual skills clinic will not be held this session. No word on why, or if that means 10 games instead of 9. Let's hope so. (Photo above: Fugaweez's penalty-kill line consoles that mustachioed Ice Holes defenseman after the Stanley Keg game.)

A look at the schedule so far:

March 25
Ice Holes and Fugaweez, 9 p.m., Gold Rink
Brewzers and Snipers, 9 p.m., Green Rink
Patriots and Stickmen, 10:15 p.m., Gold Rink
Spiders and Phantoms, 10:15 p.m., Green Rink
Blue Devils and REDRUM, 11:30 p.m., Gold Rink
Puckers and Wolverines, 11:30 p.m., Green Rink

April 1
Puckers and Wolverines: 8:15 p.m., Green Rink
Patriots and Stickmen, 9 p.m., Gold Rink
Ice Holes and Fugaweez, 9:30 p.m., Green Rink
Spiders and Phantoms, 10:15 p.m., Gold Rink
Blue Devils and REDRUM, 10:45 p.m., Green Rink
Brewzers and Snipers, 11:30 p.m., Gold Rink

Final standings: Winter 2006

Fugaweez hoist the Stanley Keg

It was the Fugaweez who hoisted the keg after their 3-1 victory over the Ice Holes Saturday night. The cherished keg was still on their table when the bar lights flickered at 2 a.m. Well done, lads.

In other games:

• Patriots beat Phantoms 4-3 for third place. Sez Phantoms coach Thompson: "They just outskated us."
• Spyders pounded REDRUM 7-1 for fifth place.
• Stickmen beat Brewzers 3-1 for seventh place.
• Blue Devils dominated Snipers 4-0 for ninth place and the Toilet Bowl title.

A great season, ladies and gents. Let's do it again next week.