It's Looking Good at NYTEX

So, we finally made it over to the NYTEX complex. Things are really shaping up over there. (However, all the new paint raises a good question: How much purple is too much purple?)

Hockey honcho Knute Anderson offered the nickel tour, and we paid 20 bucks for their weekly hockey lesson-and-pickup combo. It's the deal of the week. Brahmas coach Dan Wildfong put about 10-15 of us through the paces in an hourlong lesson. The focus was pretty basic -- proper stance, stride, stickhandling. Lots of individual attention. The class is 15 bucks if you don't want to do the pickup game afterward.

The pickup was a mite crowded but fast and fun. Lots of youngsters. The ice was on the soft side, but we're told they're working to get the humidity under control in there.

Knute says pickup at NYTEX will be every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 p.m. The classes (for which you can just show up) will continue every Thursday at 8 p.m. The website, www.nytexsports.com, should be up and running soon.

Other tidbits: A slew of I-league teams are said to have signed up, and D-, C-, and B-leagues are already underway. The pro-shop is open. Looks like nothing real fancy, but it's nice. And like all the others, you get to pay $215 for a stick if yours breaks.

And, there's news on the fate of the former Olympic-sized rink over there: It will be a massive volleyball arena. A local volleyball club has agreed to rent it. The sand floor will be paved and covered with an all-sport surface that can be used for v-ball, rollerhockey or whatever else.

We're not shilling for these guys (promise), but it's obvious they have their sh*t together. We predict a real drain on the Euless StarCenter, or at least a need for the Stars to step up and compete for our business. Any way you look at it, that's a good thing.

BC

Preview: Week 8

Hope everyone's 4th of July was a wild, crazy and somewhat safe holiday...
this weekend will be as follows...

6:30pm Gold Spiders- Plat. vs. Brewzers
There will be a record about of chicks playing in this game. Enough said.

7:30pm Green Stingers vs Patriots
First game of the Gold Playoffs has one of the greatest rivalries in the league. Briscoe vs Vaughan: A Battle of Titans.

7:45pm Gold Fugaweez vs Komets
Komets have clinched a spot in the keg game, Fugs are playing for pride and sparta. Mark Gragg looks to show up his old comrades.

8:45pm Green Spiders vs Mayhem
The second gold playoff game will be a classic, From Coach Bobby Sirkis, "We will have the game in hand by the first period, and run time by the second period".

9:00pm Gold Shockers vs Leftovers
Battle of last place teams, can the leftovers get their first win?
Jeff Vaughan says push a nerd in a trashcan and watch this game...

10pm Green Borrachos vs Stickmen
The spectacular goaltending of David Blubaugh meets the scoring might of Jim Stuckeman. This is the first game since the Borracho/Warrior brawl. No idea who will be playing still...

10:15pm Gold Puckers vs Blue Devils
This is a playoff game in every way. Winner will go to the Keg to challenge the Komets. Blue Devils threw away their birthright for a bowl of stew last week. Puckers are playing great hockey...Todd Smith Goonery needs to make a comeback, or the Blue Devils are doomed.

11:15pm Green Warriors vs Ice Holes
The "best of the rest" in the gold playoffs continues. Dallas Lehr will battle against many of his Spartans teammates in this defensive struggle of might.

11:30pm Gold Snipers - Practice
Sniper should come out of this one victorious.

Gold Division Playoffs Set/Silver Division Recap

Playoff Seedings for the Gold Division have been announced, while the Sliver Division goes into their last week of regular season play.


#1 Stingers vs #4 Patriots: 7:30pm

#2 Spiders vs #3 Mayhem: 8:45

Consolation:

#5 Borrachos vs #8 Stickmen: 10pm

#6 Warriors vs #7 Ice Holes: 11:15pm





On to the silver division...


3 Stars
1. Mark Gragg: Fugaweez- 1 Goal, 3 Assists (GWG). Fugs 8-2 win
2. Sergio Castillo: Komets- 1 goal, 2 Assists. Komets 4-2 win.
3. Jeff Vaughan: Snipers- 1 goal, champion defensive play/shut down Whitney Freeman. Snipers 5-0 win.

Honorable Mention: Jesse Henderson: Snipers- 1 goal, 1 Assists (GWG) and he’s (Expletive) Jesse Henderson! Snipers 5-0 win.


Goalie of the week: Chris Duran: Shockers- 27 saves on 29 Shots. Shockers 1-2 OT loss.

Brewzers 2 Shockers 1 (OT)
This one was all Brewzers, except for in the scoring/shooting department. Brewzers threw 29 shots at shockers’ goalie Chris Duran, who managed only to let a couple in. On the flip side, Brewzers’ goalie Greg Nata faced the gargantuan total of 4 shots. The great Chris Conner scored the lone shockers goal, while Paul Thruston scored in regulation for the brewzers. In OT, it would be Steve Sepeda on a Ken Thomas feed for the game winner as the brewzers get their 9th point of the season. Rumor has it that the shockers have been renamed “Dain Bramage”…confirmation?

Fugaweez 8 Leftovers 2
Once again the New Orleans Saints defeated the Dallas Cowboys in complete devastation. (Trust us, there are underlying football rivalries here). What many consider the most underrated player in the Silver Division, Mark Gragg, was nearly unstoppable as he rattles off a goal and three helpers in the winning cause. Also scoring was Patrick “Captain Picard” Steward, Mike Garcia (who had two strikes), Glenn Englehart, John Rassmussen, Nick “Spawn of Dan Grimes” Grimes and Matt Osbourne. Leftovers tried, but just clearly couldn’t compete, though the leftovers got their two goals from David Monfroy and A.J. Ferreiro. Talk from the Leftovers’ locker room indicated that if the leftovers lose two of their next three, Scott “Mindo” Dolbee will have his hair shaved in shame by Stone Cold. Please don’t let this inhumane act to transpire.

Komets 4 Blue Devils 2
Inspired by the Patriots glorious and overcoming win over Mayhem earlier this season, The komets finally shake off and defeat their demons (no pun intended). In what many are calling the biggest win in Los Komets history, a great back and forth battle ensued. Rich Duval and the great Chris “Former Holy Cross Forward” Gallagher opened up an early 2-0 lead for komet nation. In the 2nd, the evil empire rallied on a Chris Zolle goal. The komets would get the momentum they needed on a glorious one timer from Melissa Ross to regain a two goal lead, now up 3-1. Blue Devils would get one half way through the third on a Dave Loggins goal to trim the deficit to a single goal. However with the goalie pulled, the Sergio “Mexi-CAN” Castillo ices the game on the empty net tally. This will be a glorious keg game if it comes into being. From Ray “Prancing Poodle” Workman, “We underestimated the komets, but it will be the last time they beat us for another 4 years.”


Snipers 5 Spiders Plat 0
Inspired by their hired-mercenary-leader-guy Jeff “Han Solo” Vaughan, the Snipers had their biggest win of the season. On pretty much every shift, the snipers outmatched the spiders, even Nina Bonifez was baffled in net by spectacular snipers play. Jesse Henderson and Vaughan’s goals built a 2-0 lead after the first. It was added upon by Joe Tomme in the 2nd while Greg Martinez and Ken “Goon” Halford added their own goals in the third. We must compliment snipers coach Stephen Frye, who despite having his legs all but removed from his body, showed up and coached his boys to an excellent win.

NYTEX Drop Ins/Euless I league/Week 8 Preview

Hockey News about where to play and such.

First: NYTEX drop ins and skills clinics.

Thursday nights: Adult Hockey Class
800pm to 900pm

“Instruction on skating, stick and puck and hockey general play. Instructors will be Dan Wildfong, Forbes MacPhearson and Knute Anderson. Cost is $15.00 for the class. $20.00 if players want to stay for the Drop-In Immediately afterwards.”

Thursday Nights: Adult Drop-In
915pm -1100pm

Cost is $12.00
“Both rinks may be used for a Higher and Lower Drop in, if you want an easier or faster skate depending on preference”

Second: Euless I league Next Season…

From Yockey:

“After conversing with your team representatives we have decided to make a few changes to accommodate you and your teams. In order to have successful sessions and encourage improvement as teams and players we have decided to split the I-League into two skill levels.”

I Major: 1 Practice/9 games
I Minor: 3 Practices/7 games

“Only lower level "Major I," players will be allowed the opportunity to play in "Minor I," and only higher level "Minor I," players will be allowed to play in "Major I." This is being done as to allow each of you individually, to improve as hockey players.”


“As to offer a competitive price we have also decided to provide a skills practice that each of you will be allowed to attend. This skills practice will be added to your punch card along with two free drop-ins and one free skate sharpening. The practice will be on a sign-up basis and will be taught by experienced hockey professionals.”

“Also we know that Saturday nights have been a staple night for I-League. We do want to encourage each of you to improve as hockey players and hope to keep providing you with a quality opportunity to do so.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact your coordinator.”

Price will remain $179 for the 10 week Summer Session.
Coordinators should have received Registration forms by now.


On to this week’s games…


With no gold games this weekend, the Silver takes the stage as epic battles ensue.

Brewzers vs Shockers 7:30pm
Brewzers have been the most difficult team to predict. One week their amazing, the next, not so much. Shockers have a shot in this one, but only if Goalie Chris Duran plays like he does on mayhem. Jamil Jabri is the one to fear. Jeff Vaughan says rob from the rich and swindle the poor.

Snipers vs Spiders Platinum 8:45pm
Spiders’ goalie Nina Bonifaz is still drunk off body shots and from the tequila in her water bottle. This will only allow her to make 50 saves on 49 shots (yes, 49) in this one. She’s that good. Snipers still frustrated from their loss to the komets last week will try and salvage their season with a win. Where was Ken Halford last week we ask?


Blue Devils vs Komets 10pm
A battle for outright first place is at stake. The Komets should have Chris Gallagher and Alex Atkins, however will be without their Captain Bruce “Old man and the Sea” Frankel, as well as Nate Hodges due to a one game suspension of I league. From Yockey’s office, “Due to a reckless and unprovocated violent hit, Hodges has been suspended from I league this weekend.” The winner of this game will pretty much have clinched a spot in the Keg pending Standing Chaos. From Blue Devils’ “Dancing Ferret” Ray Workman, “The komets have never beaten us in 4 seasons and their team of ringers will fail as well. Besides, we’re the (expletive) Blue Devils.”. Bold Words.

Fugaweez vs Leftovers 10:15/11:15 (Schedule is messed up, check with your coordinators)
Fugs lost a heartbreaker last week to the Spiders and virtually ended their championship aspirations. The Leftovers will try and take advantage of their downtrodden opponents and try to pull off their first win this season. Late game of the night means no penalties, and drunken players. Have Fun.


Practice schedule for Gold Division
Spiders/Stickmen: 6:30
Mayhem/Patriots 7:45
Ice Holes/Borrachos 9pm
Stingers/Warriors 10:15/11:15 (check with rink)
Puckers also have practice: 11:30

grab a fajita

Player/Coach Profile: Bobby Sirkis

After interviewing several players and even a ref, we decided to move on to coaches. Bobby Sirkis is a former I leaguer, who now coaches the powerful Mayhem squad. He also plays C league. We sat down and discussed his inner most thoughts...

Q. You're a pretty good skater. Have you played hockey your whole life?
A: No. I played football in high school and college although they never let me play during a game...they said I was too short and skinny. But I enjoyed the camaraderie of being on a team, especially after games.

Q: Why is that?
A: We'd hit the shower room and soak down our sweaty bodies.

Q. Have you ever had a favorite uniform?
A. The cheerleading outfits the rest of the team made me wear made me look my best. I have never looked better.

Q. Could you ever date a person of another religion?
A. That would never happen because we would both be worshiping the same god: me.

Q. People say you are a gifted athlete. Do you agree?

A. I decended from Hercules himself. Girls flock to me just so they can smell my man odors.

Q. If you could be an animal, what would you be?
A. The werewolf is something I respect and admire.

Q: Do you have any advice for new hockey players?
A: Yeah. watch Jason Isham. He is phenomenal. I've seen him do things with the puck that Crosby has only dreamed of.

Q. Talk a little more about Isham.
A. Isham is a great skater, you can’t check him. Unlike him, I have a problem taking hits cause I can’t skate backwards, I have the balance of an 80 year old cripple and for the most part play with my head down. I need to learn more from him.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: Probably "Too Wong Foo". That movie changed my life. But the Notebook made me cry, I am a very sensitive individual.

Q: What do you do with your spare time?
A: I'm sorry, what was the question again? I was daydreaming about monkeys again. You know how much I like monkeys.

Q. Do you have a favorite food?
A. I am the biggest fan of pickles.

Q: Anything else you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like to work out a lot. It keeps the guys happy.

Q. Why did you start coaching?
A. Because I knew I would never be able to outplay Isham or Hodges on the Ice.

Q. Do you have any weaknesses in life?

A. I can’t seem to change a flat tire.

Q: Do you work out to improve your hockey game?

A: No. mainly because I like to look at myself in the mirror. Since I live alone I spend a lot of time by myself.

Q: What do you think about our favorite referee Scott Olson?

A: Olsie is great. He's like my second dad. Sometimes I even call him daddy. We work out together too. That man has extraordinary buttocks.

Q. What does Mayhem need to work on as a team?

A. We are perfect in all things accept scoring on empty nets.

Q. Did you want to coach Mayhem at first or did you have other preferences?
A. I really wanted to coach the Patriots. They are all great skaters, we were so lucky when we beat them in the Keg. I thank God we don’t have to play them in the first round this season. Our mayhem team is still having trouble getting over that shutout loss to the Patriots this season.

Q. Will you beat the spiders this weekend?
A. Hell yea son. Last game we were shooting on our own net just to make the game fair, and we still beat the crap out of them. I still have more holes to shoot in that keg.

Week 7 Recap

The Gold division has wrapped up its regular season, after a week off practice, playoffs will begin. Even at the grumbling and whining of haters.

As far as the silver is concerned, the race got a little closer as the weeks narrow down with only a couple of teams in the running for the championship game.

3 Stars
1. Rick Gregory: Puckers- 2 Goals. (GWG). Puckers 2-1 win.
2. Chris Conner: Mayhem- 2 Goals. (GWG). Mayhem 4-1 win.
3. Greg Mersberger: Mayhem- 2 Goals. Mayhem 4-1 win.

Goalie of the week: Nina Bonifaz: Spiders Platinum 35 Saves/36 Shots. 2-1 Spiders win.
Honorable Mention: David Blublaugh: Stickmen: 17 saves on 17 shots. Shutout. Stickmen 1-0 win.

Mayhem 4 Spiders 1
Still trying to shake off their loss to the Patriots, Mayhem was able to clinch a playoff spot as they end the regular season on a high note, crushing a demoralized spiders squad. Spiders never really had a chance in this one as Head Coach Bobby Sirkis coaches an almost flawless game. Greg Mersberger scores in the first 7 seconds of the game to start the mayhem night off strong. Mersberger would add one more while Chris Conner tacks on two goals as he maintains the league lead in points. The spiders were able to get a nice goal from Rahul Sharma to keep the game close, but not enough against the relentless Mayhem attack. Sadly for the spiders, they will have to deal with this same team in the Gold Semi-Finals. From Coach Sirkis, “I hope they took notes, cause its going to be worse next game. I've already bought my suit for the keg game.”

Puckers 3 Shockers 1
Puckers hold right with the Blue Devils and Komets in a race for the keg spot to be determined in a couple weeks. Puckers were up in this one the entire game on two goals from Rick Gregory, one of which was on the power play. Puckers would push it up to a 3-0 lead on a Chris Kirton shot that bean shockers goalie Chris Duran. Shockers tried to rally behind a Matt Weinrich goal, but solid defense by the puckers denied any comeback attempt, not to mention pretty good goal tending from Casey Jenkins. Puckers will have a practice next week and have a regular season finale and a shot to go to the keg up for grabs as they play the Blue Devils and Ray "Prancing Pony" Workman.

Ice Holes 2 Patriots 1 (Shootout)
The Patriots knowing they had clinched a playoff spot, played almost in a sleepwalk state for almost this entire match. A weird angled shot by Steve Junker squeaks by a battle weary Jesse Gonzales, who had played 3 games before hand, and inside the post for a 1-0 Ice Hole lead. This lead would stay the same as both squads continued to play sloppy back and forth-neutral zone trap hockey. Finaly with 50 seconds left in the third, the Patriots scored a desperation goal off the stick of Rahul Sharma to tie the game. A scoreless OT led to the shootout where the Patriots all fired blanks, while Michael Cook drives the winning marker home. Props given to Jared Junker on the night who played very well in net. The Patriots will take on the Stingers in the other Gold Semi-finals.

Spiders-Platinum 2 Fugaweez 1
The Spiders pull off their biggest upset of the season with a win that pretty much doomed the Fugaweez playoff hopes. Spiders began the night on a Peanut Ratliff goal and followed it up late in the first with a Pete Clark goal on a Patti Greco assist. Fugs made a game of it scoring from Chris Leary on a Patrick Steward assist. But the story of this game was Nina “Roach” Bonifaz who in between saves was taking shots of tequila. Bonifaz withstands a barrage of shots and stops 35 of 36 on the night. Someone check her green card. Fugs will need a miracle to get back into the keg hunt.

Stickmen 1 Stingers 0
Inspired by the Patriots win over Mayhem, the Stickmen learned the ways of overcoming all odds to victory. In what was the greatest upset of the season this season, the Stickmen played well enough to limit Stingers offensive chances, and Stickmen Goalie David Blubaugh played up to the challenge denying all 16 shots. Stickmen’s goal came with under two minutes left as Jesse “Brown Eyed-Girl” Henderson pulls the werewolf on Jason Isham and beats Total Eclipse far side. For the most part, this game was a gladiator match; all it lacked was lions and Christians. The Stingers however played without purpose after securing first place last week so the lost, although painful, was not something that has the Stingers worried. Hockey Gandhi Josh Briscoe was nearly decapitated in this one, only his greatness saved him. From Briscoe after the game, “We decided to give the Stickmen something to cheer about for their season; we have a keg to win.”

Komets 3 Snipers 2 (OT)
The Komets once again get their hired guns to deliver again in a very impressive win over a tough Snipers squad. Chris “Junior B Ringer” Gallagher scored on his first shift of the night on a breakaway for a 1-0 Komets lead. Snipers rally back on a goal from Big Joe Tomme who muscles his way to the net for the equalizer. Komets would then take the lead on a Nate “Crazy Ivan” Hodges’ breakaway strike for a 2-1 lead. The lead would hold until the 3rd when the snipers tied it on a Brandon Armstrong goal. However in OT the Komets would prevail on relentless forechecking by Sergio Castillo and Gerrald Cappers as Castillo is credited for the game winner on a play that had Snipers goalie Patrick Donaghue confused. Komets hold their own destiny in their hands as they take on the Blue Devils next week. A team they have never beaten.


Borrachos 5 Warriors 0
102 Penalty minutes in this game… holy crap

Brewzers 2 Leftovers 1
Brewzers have a scare in this one as they find themselves down 1-0 as the great Chuck Dolbee scores in the first period for the Leftovers’ early lead. However that lead would be short lived as in the 2nd the Brewzers tie it up on a Jamil Jabri goal. In the 3rd, It would be Steve Sepeda who would get the game winner with under three minutes to go in the period. Jason “Islam” Isham got his first crack at coach, and came within site of his first victory, but to no avail. Rumor has it Isham will coach the Spiders as they go against Mayhem. Should be glorious