So Long, ATM, Hello FNG's

After their total domination of the league, The Army of the Twelve Monkeys have moved on to D-league, good luck to them there. And in their place we have several new teams, one from Duncanville, a group of auto enthusiasts, some fans of Harry Hamlin, and a creative group of guys with no team name!


As has become obvious by the fiery comments at the mention of the word "RINGER", we all have an idea of what I-league is supposed to be, and the Euless definition is different from anywhere else. But some of us forget (even me, sometimes) that being the lowest league in the building (come on, admit it, you would get burned by most of the mini-mites) not only is the talent level of the average player on Saturday night typical of a whittlin' hound dog owner, but also everyone surrounding our games.

I was around for most of the games last night, and a good thing because our student driver/scorekeeper on the gold rink didn't manage to get anything onto Pointstreak. The refs, too, are learning how to do their thing, so that hopefully they can move up to higher leagues. If you've read any of my stuff in the past, you know my affinity for the Baumgard boys, and apparently I was somewhat grounded in my assertions as they have been split-up and teamed with more experienced refs. They still have their opportunities to blow calls and I made a little bit of a scene regarding an icing call, and a boarding call, and some other stuff... but I stopped short of getting a penalty for myself and after the game (with a little clearer head) offered some suggestions to the ref and they actually listened and gave me feed-back. I think that we'll both be better for it.

Okay, about that "stopped short of getting a penalty", yeah I got into a fight with Blubaugh between the second and third periods of my game. Yeah, that guy really gets under my skin. Yeah, Nate's phone failed to capture the spectacle for your viewing pleasure. Yeah, I promised the refs that I would not be arranging for any more high comedy of the sort. It was pretty cool. Damn you, Nate!

Onto the games!

Blue Devils 4, Puckers 2


Ginger "splinters" Parker has managed to convince Patrick Donaghue to continue his plight in the Pucker net, and hired on a "ringer" (mental note: prepare for massive backlash). The Devils score early in the first and early in the second but the man in the blank jersey (Rob Constantine) scores two for the Puckers to even it up at the start of the third. The Dukies go on to score two unanswered and win the game. Ginger collects four minutes, "Zoll" or is it "Zoil" gets two goals for the Devils.

Privateers 2, Komets 1


I can't remember if this is the actual score, but I do remember that it was a one goal lead almost erased in the final seconds by an aggressive, hungry Komet offense that charged the net and put the tieing puck behind the goal line, unfortunately the net, and Privateer netminder lay against the boards. The Privateers may have a terrible name but, like in prison, they kicked someone's butt the first day, we'll see if they can keep that up against a "real I-league team" next week.

DFW Titans 4, Silverwings 1


Team Mini finally arrives as team Silver Springs, er, wings, and they are brought to face a powerful DFW Titans in their first game. Powerful? All but one of the four Titan's goals are scored by Chris Holder. Of course if you take him out of the game your left with the prospect of scoring on Troy Elliot, posting a .957 save percentage despite being on the sloped side of the rink. Sergio Castillo nets the lone Wing goal.

Patriots 1, Stickmen 0


On the Pointstreak list of forgotten games (gold rink), this was tight. The Patriots, minus their fearless leader/coordinator Les York, barely manage to fill out a roster before the late zam. The Sticks ready to put their ship back on... track (?) and return to familiar territory with a session opening win, spring several odd man rushes but are turned away wholesale. The Patriots finally find a way around Blubaugh and as the buzzer sounded at the end of the second Alex Eysermans puts the biscuit over Ellis' blocker to tie the game, but not so fast, the refs call back to Toronto and the camera reveals that it was too late. The shot did not make it into the net before the end of the period. Some mid-ice theatrics ensued and the Sticks could not fool the Pat's netminder again.

Silverwings 4, "New Team" 1


The Wing-Dings get a second chance on the night and make the most of it (looks like the return of the rotating double header). Allowing only seven shots on net, the Wings get rolling after their dress rehearsal with goals all around, including Last session's break-out rookie (and Mini owner), Troy Ramsey, proving that he is not a flash in the pan. It looks like the chemistry is forming with Sharma and Howard. "New Team" needs to find a direction, starting with a name (!), they save a little dignity by robbing the Wings of a shut-out.

Snipers 2, Grave Diggers 1


The Diggers and the Snipers clash to make a statement early. And who is the worst team in the league, well it looks like the Diggers take it. On the gold rink again, so working from memory. Blubaugh fills in for the Snipers (still without a goalie) and plays well for them. Alex Eysermans, still looking to beat Ellis in regulation, sacrificed a lot of defensive positioning to get his offensive rushes, but still fails in his quest, however wearers of red pants everywhere rejoiced when Lunch Box slid one in five hole for the Snipers. At the end of the game Alex had the opportunity to score on the open net but, heartbroken, elects to run out the clock with possession.

Spiders 3, Warriors 1


The Spiders stall the opening of the game until a goalie can be located in the building as Nina Bonifaz is suffering painful mouth sores. The game does eventually get under way and the Spiders get a lucky bounce for the first goal, Evan Callahan was apparently the last Sider to touch it, though it was by no means a shot at the net (I feel ya' Phil). The Spiders add to their lead in the second but let the Warriors to within one on a crazy wrap around attempt that sees Ellis pop the "shot" off his blocker into his own net. With plenty of time on the clock the Warriors can't manage another score and the desperate empty net tactic allows the rare Patty Greco goal. Bobby Michaelides missed a great game for what? Baseball? What a loser.

Iceholes 4, Brewzers 1


On the gold again, the Holes on looking better than ever, but Mike Moore blames himself. These Brewzers need to come together and regain that winning attitude they finished the previous session with. Sadly, I have nothing else to offer on this game as I was in the shower at the time.

See you all next week, nobody knows the schedule yet so I will do my game by game analysis and predictions at Yockey's discretion.

bcIII