Memorial Day Weekend

There was some confusion as to the schedule for the weekend but the games went on, regardless. . . or irregardless? Believe it or not, it is the first weekend in a month that I have played more than one game, some might say I haven't played a full game in quite a while and I have no ammunition to dispute that.

I-league was filled with competitive battles and some controversy, while the Original Six aligned for three blowouts this week. I saw some faces that had been missing for awhile and Harold gave me a cool shirt- so other than the hockey itself I had a pretty good night. One thing I don't understand: Hamstra wins ten bucks off me and I don't even get a drink out of it!

I-league de Euless

LSI (2-2-0) 0
Soul Patch (2-2-0) 4

The Soul Patch ran thirteen minutes of reconnaissance then mounted their assault in the second on the false hopes of the Imports. Rich Weller is the first Patch to capture a goal and when Brian Lochkos commits an interference penalty he looks to Josh Jones and sings ". . . Patches, I'm dependin' on you son. . ." and Jones does his duty, collecting a shorty. Brad Aho gets a goal to make it a three point game for his stats, and to cap it off, Lochkos sinks the final one for team Soul Patch.

Mutineers (2-3-0) 3
Shockers (2-2-1) 2

Michael Patrick McMacken uses his Dr. Horrible skills to put the Shockers out to an early lead, Nate Hamilton ties the game but the Shockers go on the power play twice, allowing Patrick Haley (who should stick to the Privateers or play net, in this humble reporter's opinion) to steal the lead with a short handed goal. The Shockers take advantage of the man advantage on the third attempt with a goal from Stephen Dowling making it two to two. Unable to resist Patrick knocks in his second of the game with less than half a minute remaining to win the game for the Mutes. I hate Captain Hammer.

Silverwings (1-4-0) 2
Snipers (2-1-1) 4

The Snipers win one for the Gipper. Jamil Jabri, once again, heaves his team onto his back and sends the pill under Spivey, putting the Snipers out front. Alex Eysermanns' goal is next and provides the cushion to hold the lead when Silverwings forward (and struggling Canadien's goalie) nets his second of the season. The Snipers charge again with a power play goal from Kevin Cook and a second goal for Eysermanns. Jason Rogers scores one for the Wings in quick response leaving a two goal differential and most of the third period, but even with a hooking call going to Cook, they can't climb the hill. Jamil leaves this game with a knee injury. . . no details on the severity as yet, but he did stay to help coach/inspire the Brewzers.

Grave Diggers (0-3-1) 1
Whalers (5-0-0) 4

My return to the Diggers net hit its high point somewhere around the conclusion of the shoot-around. The first period was scoreless, and the bet on Hamstra's performance was hanging heavy in the air, so in the second the Hamster kills the tension by scoring on a break away, beating Ellis on the blocker. Steve Culps leads the Grave Diggers' charge and ties the game. . . Thomas Aarons jumps on a juicy rebound to take back the Whalers' lead. Brad Watson takes his cue on another misplay by Raul Gilbreath around his own crease for the Whalers' third goal, and for good measure, Hamstra goes double or nothing off the cuff of the catcher, under the crossbar. Brian Hamstra offers his condolences," It's not your fault, Jon, no one can beat the Whalers this session."

Blue Devils I (4-1-0) 3
Brewzers (0-5-0) 2

One of the most controversial games in some time. Clint Wacker can't make the game so he sends in a decidedly better hockey player, his son- Ryan. The younger Wacker scores the first goal for the early BDI lead but it is erased by the goal of Brewzer Paul Thurston and the Brewzers take the lead with a goal from Dennis Sutton. In the third things were starting to heat-up, the Devils were trying to rally but could find no way to beat Mike Moore in the Brewzer goal, that is until they slipped a little cash to the ref. Mike makes a brilliant save on a quick feed from behind the net to Jay Peters, stapling the puck to the ice right at the line, the whistle blows and as Mike returns too his skates the puck slides across the line. The protege ref shoots out his arm to signal the goal and no matter who objects the goal after the whistle stands- and ties the game. With only twenty seconds left, a neutral zone disaster results in the puck finding its way onto Ryan Wackers stick and the rest is history. On the up side, Jen and her brother Chris found their way back to the rink, and that is always pleasant.

Stickmen (3-1-1) 3
Spiders (3-2-0) 4

Larry Wade puts the first Stickmen goal away on the second shift and some guy masquerading as Arvin Manalo ties the game a minute later. Before the first ends, Brad Bynum regains the Stick lead, Kyle Rybak adds to the total in the second holding-off the Spiders' power play goal from William Wessel. But, the one goal lead was not enough, in the opening of the third period, Bryan Couture ties the game and Jeremy Brown who looked solid despite his save percentage holds the Sticks back for the remainder of regulation. In overtime, the jersey snatcher posing as Manalo sends McCollister's save percentage below 90 for the win.

Puckers (4-1-0) 3
Warriors (3-2-0) 4

I didn't actually see him in the building, but according to Pointstink, Dallas Lehr is back on the ice after his emergency appendectomy as he gets the secondary assist on Chuck Dolbee's goal. The Warriors strike again with a shorty from Sean Griffin but the big lead melts under the impressive talent of Rob Constantine, who scores once then twice to tie the game. Griffin fires in one more to reclaim the Warrior honor and who should respond but Constantine with a complete hat trick and a tie game. Griffin one ups the Pucker with a hat trick of his own, this one for the win.

SND

Privateers (4-0-1) 8
Komets (4-1-0) 2

The Komets lose their perfect record in dramatic fashion, almost right at the drop of the puck. Young Kim and Tony Finazzo both score in the first five minutes and Matt Taylor makes it three in the final minute of the first period. Graham Dunlap interrupts the 'Teers scoring but only for a moment as Young Kim supplies the power play punch for the Privateers. Upon leaving the sin bin, Scottie Baldree scores a goal for his flailing Komets, but it would be the last tally for the squad. Taylor and Finazzo both score again, and Joel Bush finds his way onto the scoreboard for the Komet drumming. Finally, in the death throes of the contest, Taylor collects the hat trick.

Blue Devils (2-2-1) 6
Canadiens (2-3-0) 1

Twelve penalty minutes for the Cans, yet they kill them off, eighteen Blue Devil penalty minutes, and of course they have no fear of tonight's Canadiens team. Chase Hannah bookends an otherwise eventless period with his two goals for the Devils, Martin Berryman, and Todd Smith make it a four goal run before the heavens parted and Jonathan Bird delivered the only Canadien goal. The Devils get down to the business of beating Can ass with a goal from Charlie Heine. . . Then just to stick it in their eye, even Val gets a goal.

Patriots (1-4-0) 3
Ice Bats (2-2-1) 9

It may be time for me to go ahead and turn in my resume for that vacant "Ambassador of Fun" position. Joel Blixt establishes the Bat presence at My net, but a goal from Roy Haenselmaen ties the game. Bruce Davis, formerly of the Diggers, puts the Bats on top again, and again the Pats tie it with a goal from Jeff Eagle. Andrew Latham scores for the Bat lead, and the genesis of a six goal run. Blixt hits the hat trick with two quick ones, Jacqueline Zee takes her desserts, Bruce Davis puts home a cross crease feed. Chuck Dolbee deflects one in off his boot. Steve Benefield stops the bleeding, if only temporarily, with a Patriot goal, and Blixt puts a fork in it with his fourth.


P.S. We have an independent "fact checker" for Pointstreak. Coordinators are encouraged to contact our liaison to the stat service at Jaks524@yahoo.com. If you have to correct the game stats or the spelling of a name let your coordinator know.