Are You Atwitter?

Okay, The I-league tournament commences tomorrow and I will be playing on the "Trailer Park" team. Most of the games will be held on Farmers Branch ice, but I have one game in Euless:

11:15am Novice Euless- Green Trailer Park Boys (A3) vs Project Mayhem (A1)

If you are already following me on Twitter then you can track me as I update in intermissions and time-outs, a la Charlie Villanueva. If not then catch-up with me. . . http://twitter.com/joninnet

If all goes well, I will be doing the same from FB, also. POW!
jon-jon, aka bciii

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

minor (anti-Keg)

Ice Holes (1-8-1) 3
Mutineers (3-7-0) 2

Some thought it impossible, but the Holes pull one out (er-uh), all be it in a meaningless last game of the session. Brooks Willhoite piles-up the penalties in the first period and the Hole's Mike Harrington makes the most of the extra man. Gib Searight ties the game but Aaron Schact restores the Ice Hole lead and Michael Crook makes it a two goal mountain for the Mutineers. Even though the Mutineers allow four more minutes of Ice Hole power plays the Mutes are the ones who get the teaser goal late when Patrick Haley scores shorthanded. Guess they needed more open ice to force overtime, could've used a couple more penalties from Brooks?

Silverwings (4-4-2) 0
Shockers (5-5-0) 2

Jesse Gonzales makes a mockery of the Silverwing offense refusing admission to all twenty-one shots. Building on Jesse's confidence the Shockers eventually get to the other end and score the first goal, Josh Rooker at the end of the second. Matt Russell scores again in the third vaulting the Shockers into a .500 record- regular and post season combined. Two teams on seemingly divergent trajectories.

Grave Diggers (8-2-0) 5
Chiefs (9-1-0) 4

Billy Quinn and Brian Lochkos deliver two goals and the strong Digger lead followed by a coast to coast play from Rich Wojcio and a Chief goal. The undefeated Chiefs fall behind by two again when the Diggers go on the power play, but Randy Chappel's goal is erased by the power play efforts of Lester Barrera, and the game is tied by a Ryan Brett goal. With the spark of a Grave Digger goalie change, Tim Rivers puts the Diggers back out front. In the third Bill Broad solves the Digger netminder and knots the game again, but in quick response the Grave Diggers cut-out the Chief's heart with the final goal of the championship game, courtesy of Bruce Davis- on the power play.

Puckers (4-4-2) 3
Warriors (6-3-1) 4

The battle for third place was one for the ages. Kyle Overton of the Warriors and Brian Cudaback of the Puckers both score in a sum zero first period, nothing results from the lone penalty of the game: unsportsmanlike conduct on goalie Bobby Michaelides. Rick Gregory scores the lead for the Puckers. In the third Steve Niekamp could have ended the game with a comfortable Pucker lead had his tally not been sandwiched by two goals from Warrior Dallas Lehr- sending it to overtime, and the shoot-out. The two grizzled, veteran net minders- Michaelides and Blubaugh, enter the exhibition with nearly identical save percentages but Danny Grimes scores on the very first Warrior attempt with no Pucker able to beat Michaelides the game falls to the Warriors without sending in their third shooter.


MAJOR (da' Keg)

Spiders (5-6-1) 1
Komets (6-5-1) 5

The Spiders made one fatal flaw, installing Ellis in net. Bryan Brookman draws first blood with a nifty back hander in tight over the glove. In the second the Spiders tie the game when Mike Ginnard scores the only arachnid goal of the night- making Kellen Kaufman the owner of the game winner shortly thereafter. The Komets destroy whatever was left of the Spiders short-bench-chemistry with a scoring frenzy starting with a power play goal from Albert Lacaze. Rodney Forehand and Kyle Ammann pile-on.

Blue Devils (6-6-0) 1
Ice Bats (9-3-0) 4

In the first period the Devils were impressive, a solid back court leads into the only goal of the frame: Chase Hannah. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils had little more than thirteen minutes worth of fight in them tonight, when Todd Smith went to the box, putting the Bats on the power play, the tide turned in a big way. Eric Petty flips in the first goal over the prone Blubaugh, a goal so beautiful it could only be match by the horror of his hand-me-down gear. Joel Blixt struck next, and Billy Quinn sent one into the twine after that. Likely the one that hurt Blubaugh the most was when Raul Gilbreath squirted a weak one from the point that finds its way between the posts, a power play goal.

Privateers (10-0-0) 3
Patriots (9-2-1) 0

Oh, what might have been. The Pats had beaten the 'Teers before, and with their playoff nemesis in the rearview mirror it looked as if Ellis might actually lift a Keg for once. The first was controlled by the upstart Privateers as they swabbed the decks with the entire Patriot bench, except for the goalie. Despite play rarely leaving the Patriot end of the rink, the net was sealed-off. But on the second penalty kill Ellis is finally caught, the dive from left to right is too slow to stop Privateer Jeremy Boyd, and they escape the first with the one goal lead. The Pats attempt to regroup in the long period, the barrage only heightens as the Privateer bench gets closer to the goal- Erick Ahlstedt scores one in the middle and Chris Palmer makes it three to zilch in the closing throes of the second. The final period plays host to the Patriots last chance to lay their claim to the championship but their best push changes nothing, every hopeful shot finds its way into the paraphernalia of a hungry Matt Sexton. Thus the game ends, with a Patriot whimper.

Congratulations to you Privateers, we shall meet again, and perhaps you will not be so lucky.

Whalers (1-11-0) 3
Brewzers (3-9-0) 6

Matt and Mike stared each other off, matching save for save until the final minute of the first period, with two shots Steven Collyard and Jamil Jabri lift the Brewzers to a two goal lead. Steven Sepeda scores early and late in the second to make four unanswered Brewzer goals, but Brian Hamstra and Beck Schooley resurrect the Whalers cutting the lead in half. Collyard scores a Brewzer goal, so does Sepeda, and the hopes are dashed- like so many Minke's to a Chinese boat. Hamstra fires one more shot from the sinking ship and Mike Moore pats Matt Walker on the head.

Stickmen (6-5-1) 2
Canadiens (7-3-0) 7



LSI (4-5-3) 2
Snipers (3-7-0) 3


I will complete this soon. . .

Keg Night Schedule

minor

Gold 5:30 pm
Ice Holes (0-8-1) -
Mutineers (3-6-0) -

Green 7:15 pm
Silverwings (4-3-2) -
Shockers (4-5-0) -

Green 8:30 pm
Grave Diggers (7-2-0) -
Chiefs (9-0-0) -

Gold 10:30 pm
Puckers (4-4-1) -
Warriors (5-3-1) -


MAJOR

Green 6:00 pm
Spiders (5-5-1) -
Komets (5-5-1) -

Gold 6:45 pm
Blue Devils (6-5-0) -
Ice Bats (8-3-0) -

Gold 8:00 pm
Privateers (9-0-0) -
Patriots (9-1-1) -

Gold 9:15 pm
Whalers (1-10-0) -
Brewzers (2-9-0) -

Green 9:45 pm
Stickmen (6-4-1) -
Canadiens (6-3-0) -

Green 11:00 pm
LSI (4-5-2) -
Snipers (2-7-0) -

. . . And So It Begins

The opening round is in the books and the championship games are a mix of old and new faces. The anti-keg culminates in the once laughable Grave Diggers battling the master Chiefs, still undefeated. In the glorious Keg match, the Privateers have pulled themselves from the doldrums of Duncanville to the zenith of all I-leagues in just under a year. The Patriots are again in the Keg game, but the Blue Devils are in their rear view mirror for the first time in recent memory. So much to look forward to. . .

minor

Warriors (5-3-1) 0
Grave Diggers (7-2-0) 3


After a long absence Ron Edwards makes a triumphant return, his sandbagging before the game ultimately yields the first goal for the Diggers, late in the first on the power play- and the second late in the third shorthanded. Bruce Davis caps-off the scoring. Bobby Michaelides faces thirty-three shots from the fiery Diggers but gets no support from his Warrior mates. Only shut-out in the opening round- Ah Yeah. . .

Chiefs (9-0-0) 4
Puckers (4-4-1) 1


Nine victories, only one away from Nadia Comaneci. The Red Machine entered the arena with confidence having fought a close one against the Chiefs in their last meeting, and this time they would have Patrick Donaghue back in net. . . Ben Stillwagon perforates the legendary net minder first, followed by a power play goal from Rich Wojcio, a goal from Ryan Brett, and another from Stillwagon. The Puckers still had a full third period to rally but their shots come at a two to one pace with the Chiefs and produce only one goal late in the game, that being from Jason Adams. There will be no repeat in the anti-Keg.

Mutineers (3-6-0) 2
Shockers (4-5-0) 7


Shockers should make quite an impact on the future I-league evolution. Ryan Haley is pelted giving-up four unanswered goals to the Shocker strikers: two to Joe King, one to Matt Russell, and one to Michael Davis. The Mutineers finally get on the board when Kevin McGlaun and Ryan Lewis cut the lead in half. . . But the call to abandon ship cannot be stifled and the Shockers hit them broadside with three straight from Matt Russell, one on the power play. The Mutineers live up to their name- at least for this session. Sleeper in this game- Susie Rain, four assists.

Ice Holes (0-8-1) 2
Silverwings (4-3-2) 3


Raul Gilbreath showed-up three hours early to mentally prepare for this game and it seemed to be working, he scores the first Hole goal but the period ends in a tie when Ryan Kelley scores for the Wings. Raul fire back with an assist to teammate Nichole Palomar, for the lead. In the third, the Silverwings unveil a play-off ready Chris Arendall and with two whips of the stick, he wins the game. Never fear, the Holes have one more shot at gaining one win.


MAJOR

Whalers (1-10-0) 2
LSI (4-5-2) 6


The Imports deliver a whoopin', Linda Mason leads the charge, but Brian Flaschbart counters for the Whalers. Two LSI goals (Gabe Rivera, Cliff Bogle) end the period on an Import high. Flaschbert wields the harpoon again leaving a one goal lead for the Imports. . . LSI puts a press on Flaschbert and fires another shot from Rivera, then a goal from Cameron Bogle, then a goal from Cory Cooper. The Whalers are on the endangered list.

Brewzers (2-9-0) 1
Snipers (2-7-0) 4


Jamil Al Jabri captains his Brewzers to an early lead, scoring the first goal. The sister Snipers get an ugly goal from Alex Eysermanns to tie the game. Matt Walker faces only three shots through two periods but proves himself as a starter in the third holding out all nine attempts in the final frame, while at the other end the Snipers pick apart the Brewzer defense and score with Chris Davis, Ed Vogel, and Eysermanns (again). The Brewzers could do with a change in net.

Komets (5-5-1) 2
Canadiens (6-3-0) 4


The play-offs are where veterans show what they're made of- hockey sense, conditioning, drive, and both of these teams have it. The Komets lead with a goal from Scottie Baldree, and the Canadiens counter with one from Young Kim. The Komets regain the lead with a goal from Wil Dobson and then the Canadiens tie it once more when Kim strikes again. But the story of the game is the third period. A long session takes its toll and the Komets don't have anything left- Catherine Levesque wins the game and Chris Walter kills the Komet spirit.

Blue Devils (6-5-0) 1
Patriots (9-1-1) 2


A strange chapter in Euless history, the Pats defeat the Devils in the post season. Jay Peters has had a thorn in his side named Ellis, all session long, and in the first period he gets his relief and the Devils get the lead. In the second the penalties started, and the Pats get a morale boost tying the game in a five on five moment with a goal from John Newell. Steve Benefield sinks the winner in the first shift of the third, and the Penalties really picked-up with the lead change, eventually leading to the ejection of Patriot forward (covering on d, tonight) John Newell. Stats in this game are virtually identical, no wonder there was so much emotion.

Privateers (9-0-0) 4
Ice Bats (8-3-0) 1


The other side of the Keg. Brian "Dragon Hockey" Zientek starts things off for the 'Teers, but Karl Moser cancels his goal with an Ice Bat tally. The Privateers end the first with the lead thanks to Patrick Haley. Cody Payne adds to the lead in the middle frame and Joel Bush seals the deal for the Weird Beards, a date with the Keg is their destiny. So is a loss! Eric Petty, if you're listening, you may not be skating for the Keg next week but you are off the hook for that duet with me- once again I fail to string together my Karaoke Dream.

Spiders (5-5-1) 1
Stickmen (6-4-1) 3


The late game fizzles. The Sticks get two goals in the first from Alex Eysermanns, in a spurt from the Spiders, Arvin Manalo gets the arachnids as close to the lead as they would sniff. Even on the power play, the Spiders give-up another goal to the Stickmen, Brad Bynum gets the credit. Then in the third period. . . nothing. No lead changes, no running-up the score, just a few more penalties. What is this, intramural league? Oh. . . I guess it is.

First Week of Play-offs

The schedule is out.

Also, if you aren't aware I am attempting to organize a Karaoke Show for Keg night. To raise the money for the show I will be holding a raffle- so if you or the company you work with would be interested in donating something to the effort please send me an e-mail at stickysaves@gmail.com with details about your item. Items should be valued at a minimum of $10, gift cards are easy enough, but don't be afraid to get creative. All item pledges need to be in by Thursday evening (April 3) and actual items need to be turned in to jon ellis or Tom Yockey by Saturday (April 11) at 5:00 pm. Any money raised above the amount needed for the show will be donated to the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Success is imminent.

Here's that schedule:

minor----------------

Green 7:15 pm
Warriors (5-2-1) -
Grave Diggers (6-2-0) -

Gold 8:00 pm
Chiefs (8-0-0) -
Puckers (4-3-1) -

Green 9:15 pm
Mutineers (3-5-0) -
Shockers (3-5-0) -

Green 11:00 pm
Ice Holes (0-7-1) -
Silverwings (3-3-2) -

Major--------------

Gold 5:30 pm
Whalers (1-9-0) -
LSI (3-5-2) -

Green 6:00 pm
Brewzers (2-8-0) -
Snipers (1-7-0) -

Gold 6:45 pm
Komets (5-4-1) -
Canadiens (5-3-0) -

Green 8:30 pm
Blue Devils (6-4-0) -
Patriots (8-1-1) -

Green 9:45 pm
Privateers (8-0-0) -
Ice Bats (8-2-0) -

Gold 10:30 pm
Spiders (5-4-1) -
Stickmen (5-4-1) -

See you Saturday,
bciii

The Final Countdown

minor

Shockers (3-5-0) 1
Ice Holes (0-7-1) 0

The Shockers inaugural season has been an emotional roller coaster, but they finish strong making the most of the weaker half of their schedule playing .500 hockey. The Holes are consistent. . . what else can you say? This was one of Goalie James Thurber's best performances, turning away 15 of 16 shots, unfortunately, with only five shots generated by the Ice Hole offense it would only take that one goal by Thomas Mathias to win the game, late in the third, for the Shockers. Talent recruitment in this league is notorious, both of these teams could contend next session.

Warriors (5-2-1) 0
Chiefs (8-0-0) 2

Topher McPherson may have been lit-up for nine goals in the Heineken cup on Friday but he proves he can handle Euless brand I-league tonight. The tension is broke late in the second when Chief Troy "Not Kelly's Brother" Clarkson puts the puck behind Michaelides. The Warriors can't get any offensive drives and eventually allow another Jim-Dandy from Rich "Oven-Chicken" Wojcio. The Chiefs have made a mockery of the minor division, but the remaining top seats have all played the Chiefs in tight games, can they manage two more wins against that competition?

Grave Diggers (6-2-0) 2
Puckers (4-3-1) 1

In another match of the minor's best, the Puckers strike first, just as their penalty expires, Matt Roberts gets a breakaway and drags across the crease to beat Ellis to the opposite post. Ellis gets a piece of the tying goal, sending a pass to Bruce Davis just past center ice for the two on 0, Brian Lochkos drains the feed from Davis. David Blubaugh stands tall in the net holding fast to the tie despite the constant attack of the Diggers- he makes thirty-eight saves. He even rejects the penalty shot from Tim Rivers. Finally the shoot-out arrives to settle the stalemate. Apparently, Tim figured out Blubaugh's weakness and he punishes Blu on the first shot, no one else scores- Diggers win!

Silverwings (3-3-2) 4
Mutineers (3-5-0) 2

Finally a game with some scoring- The first period has a goal from Silverwing Bryan Brookman and the cancelling effort from Nathan Hamilton ending the period with a net zero. Paul Reid puts the Silverwings back on top again and the Mutineers once again answer the bell when Gib "Brother Gib" Searight pounds the rebound through Eric Spivey. The Wings win the period and take the lead when Ryan Kelley scores his first goal of the game, the Mutineers can't gather the gumption to score anymore, so they make penalties instead. Kelley scores his second on the power play in the final frame.

MAJOR

Komets (5-4-1) 3
Whalers (1-9-0) 2

Brian Panice starts the Komets rollin' and Bryan Brookman follows it up. After a dry spell in the second the Komets come-up in the third with their third unanswered goal, this one from Rodney Forehand. The Komets uncork the champagne and toast their success while the Hamster scoots down the ice to score the first Whalers goal. Beck Schooley puts the champagne on ice with another Whaler goal. With their play-off hopes on the line, the Komets call a time-out and after making a pinkie promise to never lose again, they hold fast to the one goal lead, and wait on Yockey to determine which five win team will make it into the finals. What's that? Oh, somebody won six, oh well.

Privateers (8-0-0) 2
Brewzers (2-8-0) 1

The Brewzers pour on the shots and Lori-Kay Fromman puts the Brewzers in the lead. The score holds until Brewzer captain Jamil Jabri commits his second penalty and Joel Bush makes him pay. With the score tied the Brewzers just push harder, accumulating twenty-six shots but it's the Privateers who get the last yo-ho-ho, Matt Sexton refuses to allow the puck passage and Casey Payne drives the stake into the Brewzer heart in regulation.

Spiders (5-4-1) 5
Snipers (1-7-0) 1

Matt Walker and Mike Moore meet once again- student vs. pupil. Matt has the Snipers in front of him, he didn't stand a chance. Three goals rain down from the Spiders in the first alone: Bill Wessel and two from Adam Sugarwala. In the next period Sugarwala claims the hat trick. With Carina Manilow's goal finishing the game for the night, the only hic-cup in an otherwise perfect Spider performance was the power play goal from sometimes ringer Jeff Vaughn.

Ice Bats (8-2-0) 4
LSI (3-5-2) 3

A clash of two powerhouses, someone had to lose. A power play opportunity leads to the first goal from the Bats, LSI claims the lead with goals from Tim Thompson and James Macha. David Trantham responds by diving down from the point to score the knotting tally for the Ice Bats. Less than a minute later Kyle Haman restores the Import lead, setting up a ferocious third, so ferocious in fact that only one goal could be scored- late season acquisition Jason Doyton sends it to overtime, and Eric Petty wins it for the Bats there.

Patriots (8-1-1) 0
Blue Devils (6-4-0) 2

Two rivals meet again, the Pats off their first loss of the session and the Devils crossing their fingers for a spot in the play-offs. Two periods of hockey result in no goals, but in the first minute of the third Scott Speelman's wrap around attempt eventually finds its way through Ellis' paraphernalia and slides across the line. The Pats feel the absence of their defensive stalwart, Les York. Unable to get the puck out of their zone they resort to an empty net, Billy Trull hits it from 150 feet.

Stickmen (5-4-1) 6
Canadiens (5-3-0) 2

The teams trade hits in the first- a Canadien goal to Young Kim, a Stick goal to Lunchbox. The Sticks couldn't be stopped in the long period with a goal from "Big" Joe Tomme, another from Lunchbox, and Kyle Rybak's tally the Canadiens could have gone to the locker room early. Instead they stayed for another Stick goal from Big Joe, a shorty no less and another from Rybak. Along the way, Chris Gallagher nets a meaningless goal to make his bid for the Hart trophy. I still love you Chris, you're so misunderstood.