Les Géant Tueurs

The formidable Sticks entered the session without anyone believing they would make a run for the Keg. Even the Stickmen themselves were unsure if they could make any impression on the league.

Their first game was much like any one of the Stickmen games from the past. It takes four periods to knock off the hardknock Puckers, they only scored two goals (what proves to be a trend when shooting on Patrick Donaghue). No one took notice. The Puckers were never going to be able to generate an offensive threat against the always solid David Blubaugh. Besides, everyone had their eye on the Army of the Twelve Monkey's.

In week two they barely get by the 'Holes. It was late in the third before they netted the game winner, again only two Stickmen goals. Two more goals in week three to beat the Brewzers? So, you beat the Brew? Woopty-doo.

Finally in the fourth game they manage a colossal three goals. The Blue Devils were a middle tier team, maybe there was something to a shut-out against them, nah. When they beat the rollin' Spiders, that's when I started to notice. To that point Nina Bonifaz had an incredible GAA, but the Sticks put three behind her.

Against the Diggers, they raised their offense to four goals (not unexpected). But the following week they go to a shoot-out against the little Komets. I had some doubts, but they were assuaged when they handily dispatched the Warriors.

At the beginning of the session I had thought that the Army of the Twelve monkeys would be force to be reckoned with, the Sticks a forgettable middle of the pack team with an ill-tempered goalie. After watching the season develop, there was no doubt in my mind who would emerge victorious. The Stickmen had all the earmarks of a championship squad, and they were (for the most part) on the rise. Even with their scouting team the Warriors facing the Stickmen in the week prior, there was no way that they could muster the fortitude to dismantle them on the second attempt. Well, my predictions have been less than accurate and ATM made it happen, again.

The "play-offs" start... sometime in the future, and there are several great teams vying for their place in I-league history. The Stickmen may have lost this game, but they still go in as the top seed. All other teams, take notice, on any given Saturday (or Sunday A.M.) any team can win.

Here's the quick recap:

Patriots 1, Spiders 0

Nina Bonifaz returns to form but one mistake proves to be enough as she is out dueled by Ellis and the Pats. Winkleman gets the goal, and Brookman another point.

Warriors 6, Komets 3

Gunslingers converge on the gold rink. Eric Johnson comes away with a hat trick. Geoffrey Goodson collects a few more points. Baldree, Castillo, and Ryan Smith score in the losing effort.

ATM 4, Sticks 1

The Stickmen never lead in this clinic put on by the Monkeys. Travis Lehr collects a goal, Goodson one goal, one assist.

Brewzers 1, Puckers 0

Jack Germaine had the game tieing goal on his stick but couldn't hit the open net, allowing the Brewzers, with Ellis in net, to escape with Steven Daniels' single goal. Donaghue played amazing, but gets no support.

Iceholes 5, Grave Diggers 2

The Diggers actually had a lead at one point in this game. Ellis' third game sees him come back down to earth. Hole's scorers are: Mark Dunning, Chris Pringle (2X), Gino Ropos, and Joan Crook. A great lead in to the play-offs for the Holes.

Snipers 3, Blue Devils 2

Nick Murphee returns with a .923 save percentage and scores the opening goal for the Snipers (marriage, that dream within a dream!). Despite Gloria's constant irritation, he skates away with the victory. Some other people scored.

And now what you've all been waiting for...

The winner for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, showing perseverance and heart,

PATRICK DONAGHUE

The winner for the Calder Memorial Trophy, as the league's best rookie,

TROY RAMSEY

The winner for the Frank J. Selke as the best defensive forward,

LYNN KRESTA

The winner for the Jack Adams Trophy as the league's best coach,

AL ZARAGOSA (too bad he couldn't have mad more of their games)

The winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the best defenseman,

ED VOGEL

The winner of the Lady Byng Trophy displaying honor and sportsmanship with a high level of play,

BRYAN BROOKMAN

The winner of the Maurice Richard Memorial Trophy for the league's most prolific scorer,

ERIC JOHNSON (11 goals!)

The winner of the Art Ross as the league's best point scorer,

A Tie, ERIC JOHNSON & BRYAN BROOKKMAN (both with 11 points)

The winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player,

GEOFFREY GOODSON (our league's best set-up man)

The winner of the Vezina for the best save percentage,

DAVID BLUBAUGH (.941, 9 games)

The winner of the William Jennings fro the best goals against average,

PHILLIP TALLEY (.73, 7 games. Below 1, amazing!)

There is no way I can possibly understand how these play-offs are put together, but as soon as I get the word from Yockey I will put it up here.

bcIII

P.S. We're all winners, just for showing-up and having a good time with our fellow puckheads. Some of us are just better winners. Keep your stick on the ice!

Last Game, and the Nominees Are?

This weekend is the last regular season game, but I don't have a whole lot of offerings for award nominees. I will be issuing my unbiased list of winners in the Monday re-cap. If you know of an outstanding rookie, someone with a lot of heart, or any of the more subjective categories mentioned in my previous post, let me hear from you. My deadline is half-past sometime on Sunday.

Hears how I see it shaking down this weekend:

Pats 3, Spiders 1

Warriors 3, Komets 2

Puckers 2, Brewzers 1

Sticks 2, ATM 1

Diggers 12, Holes 0

Blue Devils 4, Snipers 0

So, congratulations to the Stickmen in advance on their perfect (regular) season. They have far surpassed anyone's expectations.

The Gravediggers just miss their perfect session by demolishing the Iceholes in the last game. With a little more time, this team will be ready to compete at this level.

Spiders... try: CTRL, ALT, DEL. This team started so strong there was really only one way to go. Don't hang your head though, it's a new session after this weekend.

If anyone could use a fresh start, it's the Brewzers. Jabri and company have a great team to hang with, or hang a few goals on. Surely the trend is nearing a turn.

ATM, Warriors, these squads may have a lot of talent. but maybe not enough for two teams. It will be strange if they play each other in the Keg game. Look for one of these teams to disband in the off-season.

The once (near) great Komets look to be building on something. If team Mini ever materializes they are going to be in a bad way, but how many losers are there driving mini's? Seriously, this team shows flashes of greatness on a regular basis. Focus, Daniel-son, show me... wax on, wax off

With amazing performances from their rookies, the Patriots are poised to take the league by storm. The team is gelling, and I don't mind taking a little of the credit for the developing chemistry.

With a probable goaltending change the Puckers may be slip-sliding away. Patrick Donaghue was the glue that held this team together, Casey J. is better at pulling things apart. You have my e-mail...

Iceholes are having a lot of question marks showing up in there game also. Once heavy on goaltending and defense, now without much of an identity at all. Who can say what's on the horizon?

A team without an identity... the Blue Devils? The installation of DeBaro seems unlikely to be stabilizing. More offense is going to be required to keep Jim on the level. Is there leading scorer going to stick it out with Dad or move on?

The Snipers are not the worst team in the league... um... Hey, Murphee is back, and he is married now. Athletes are always noted for better play once they tie the knot, right? I <3 U.

bcIII

Easter Hockey

We acknowledge the concept is a bit odd: Pickup hockey on Easter Morning. What better way to celebrate the glorious resurrection than with a little game of shinny?

Come join us from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. this Sunday at Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills. We expect two goalies and a decent crowd.

What, you have something better to do? Skip the egg hunt and go to late Mass.

BC

Chess Openings and the World Economy

Ben Bernanke must be a playa. The recent moves made by the fed are certainly remininscent of a queen's pawn game. So long as the Chinese are not ready with a king's rook counter-gambit. Bernanke may not be Greenspan but perhaps...

Fine.

With Zubov being nominated for the Masterton perhaps it is time to review our little league and see who the nominees might be.

Art Ross Trophy (top point scorer)-
leaders right now:
Bryan Brookman 10 points
Travis Lehr 9 points
Eric Johnson 8 points
Dustin Nation 8 points
Geoffrey Goodson 8 points

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and sportsmanship)-
My nominee:
Patrick Donaghue, playing through rotator cuff issues
feel free to put up yours

Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year)-
my nominee:
Troy Ramsey of the Patriots
feel free to put up yours

Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)-
my faves:
Butch Hutchison
Lynn Kresta
and yours?

Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)-
my nominee:
Geoffrey Goodson
Who do you think?

Jack Adams Award (coach of the year)-
Al Zaragosa for me
what about you?

James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defensman)-
I would choose:
Ryan Smith or
Dan Grimes or
Jon Hale or
Les York or
that guy on the Snipers that I don't know, with the fu manchu, I think?
I really appreciate my defensemen(women), all of you. Yes, Karen, even you.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship with high level of play)-
I guess it's...
Brian Brookman (no penalties)

Maurice Richard Trophy (top goal scorer)-
leaders right now:
Eric Johnson 8 goals
Travis Lehr 7 goals
Brian Brookman 6 goals

Vezina Trophy (top goalie)-
David Blubaugh .956
Jayson Jones .923 (a few less games)

William Jennings (goalie with lowest GAA)-
Phil Talley .69
David Blubaugh .84

Only one regular season game left to make an impression, so get out there and do it!

Don't be afraid to leave me your nominee, especially for the "character" awards, I have no idea of who all the rookies are so I could use some help there also.

bcIII

1,2,3... Week Eight Recap

More upsets, birthday good will, pursuits of perfection. So much drama.

Players of the week:
Kent Gordon 2 goals, 1 assist
Geoffrey Goodson 2 assists
Scottie Baldree 2 assists

Goalie of the week:
It gives me much pleasure to announce, Jon Ellis with a shut-out victory on 34 shots.


Snipers 2, Brewzers 0

Sarah Buckner, coordinator for the Snipers, was in an auto accident and did not make the game. I understand she is okay. Mike Moore, Brewzer goalie, called in sick. Best of wishes to both of them, hope to see you back on the ice soon. The Snipers had one night left without their starting netminder Nick Murphee (still on the honeymoon) and fill-in goalie Jon Ellis finally puts out a decent performance. The Snipers were having a very difficult night pulling any offense together, finding themselves out shot 13 to 1 at the end of the first (not a ratio, actual shot total). Near the midpoint of the game Chris Hale (Ahem...) lifts the load entirely onto Ellis' shoulders with his unassisted goal. The Brewzers, to a man (or woman) threw everything they had at the limping Snipes, especially back-up goalie Phil Garlow. Never loosening his grip, Garlow would make sure that the Snipers would beat him with nothing less than a shut-out. Jon Ellis keeps up his end, despite the ardent efforts of Jamil "crash" Al Jabri (Ellis must have been saving up). By the time the Brewzers left the ice, giving up an empty netter, they had tallied 34 shots but not a one of them can find the back of the net.

Puckers 3, Iceholes 2

Another upset in a session filled with so many, Jason Jones chooses to play outside the net, a decision he regrets? The Puckers netminder continues with the same sort of play we have all come to expect, with the help of an incredible shooting spree (eleven whole shots) they manage to outscore the formerly defensively unmatched Iceholes. A slow start to a clean game, the Puckers are first to make it on the board after more than nine minutes. Kent Gordon, unsatisfied with a secondary assist on the first goal, gets his second point and first goal early in the second only to see the cushion vanish in seconds when Donaghue allows Mark Dunning, of the Holes to steal his shut-out. Renewing the Puckers resolve with his efforts throughout the remainder of the period, Donaghue is re-granted the cushion less than a minute into the third with Gordon's second goal. But they would not be able to rest till the final buzzer. The Puckers bend but don't break, one more goal (Dembroski) is all the Holes can manage against the clutch Puckers.

Komets 3, Grave Diggers 1

The Komets pull this one out without their headcoach. They collect the first score of the game on the powerplay as a rebound pops over Ellis' (back to his old ways) head. Ellis tries to hold his team in and does (for a while). An unbelievable bit of playmaking in the third by the Grave Digger's Randy Chappel as he draws Komet's tender Brent Bryant out on the shot then puts the pass across to the waiting Bob Sirkis. Sirkis displays the kind of veteran feat that his age would imply, and nails the onetimer. The game tied and destined for overtime is wrestled back into control by Alex Atkins, with a great against the grain, over the glove shot late in the third. The Komets then toy with the Digger's minds causing Raul Gilbreath to push an idle puck between his own goalie's legs. Who can blame him, Raul can never beat Ellis when they're in opposite jerseys. Diggers tally another moral victory, actual wins: 0.

Stickmen 3, Warriors 1

The Sticks are a machine, all the opponents line up and they all fall down. Now with eight wins they only need to defeat the Warriors (in the form of ATM) one more time to achieve a perfect record for the regular session. Utilizing their mechanical nature they score one goal in each of the periods, Blubaugh receives only one blemish on a late goal by Travis Lehr, who then retreats to the box. Apparently part of the fun tonight was for all rostered Stickmen with a name starting with an "L" get a score. Lynne Young gets her first, Larry Wade adds to his total, then Lee Miller (mercenary?) grabs the last. Plenty of penalties with the edge to the Warriors. I hope they were taking notes for next weeks match-up. Maybe it will be letter "D" then Damon Flores and Dave Blubaugh will have to score all the goals.

Army of the Twelve Monkeys 2, Spiders 1

The Spiders are fading fast. The Monkeys need to shoot 35 times to come up with the two goals needed to win. No problem. Pat Gallagher is beaten by ATM in the first at the hands of Craig Newland, and the second by Eric Johnson. The Spiders kill off a penalty at the start of the third and then Kris Navarro scores a goal, leaving nine minutes to equal the Monkeys. Momentum swings and then slowly peters off, a penalty for each team late and no more scoring, ATM wins. The Monkeys appear to be tooling up for the playoffs, knocking-off the pretender Spiders, feeling-out the Stickmen. A change in their m.o. also: early goals. It has been awhile since a Monkey game wasn't decided by a late goal on their behalf. Next week will be the barometer, an instant classic no doubt.

Patriots W, Blue Bevils Forfiet

The Blue Devils grant Les York's Birthday wish and give him the night off and a win. A few Pats did have to show up to formally collect the win and in the ensuing grab-ass, Ellis shoots a puck directly into Mel's rib cage. I guess she earned this win after all, sorry Mel...

bcIII

Saving Daylight With Late Night Hockey

First of all:

Love beard talk (please see post below, good job BAC) I am seriously considering the cultivation of facial follicitude, I don't think it can help the Stars but how can it hurt?

Missed my regularly scheduled mid-week post so let me put this on the record.
10:15 Snipers 3, Brewzers 0
10:15 Iceholes 5, Puckers 2
11:30 Stickmen 2, Warriors 1
11:30 Gravediggers 2, Komets 1
12:45 ATM 2, Spiders 1
12:45 Pats 3, Blue Devils 1

Onto...

This week was all about dragging it out into the light of daylight savings. A concept conceived by constitutional congress member Benjamin Franklin as a means to conserve tallow and whale oil. Even in his time it's effectiveness was controversial. After the expansion South and West into the harsher summers of those regions and the development of Air Conditioning (people lived without it?) Energy costs were not wrapped up in lights but in climate control. This hypothesis was put to the test when the state of Indiana finally approved legislation accepting, uniformly, the switch to DST across the state. Indiana, about one eighth the size of Texas, is a very difficult state to tell time in as it straddles the central and eastern time zones and before 2005 it was even more convoluted. 77 of Indiana's 92 counties are in the Eastern Time Zone and stay on standard time year round, except for two counties adjacent to Cincinnati and Louisville. It makes my head spin. Arizona is the lone hold out in the contiguous 48, Hawaii doesn't bother to switch either, but who worries about time in Hawaii? Canada has one unusual province, Newfoundland (named for the giant dogs ridden by the nomadic aboriginals before westerners hunted them to extinction) has a half-hour time zone. This must be the age of globalization because nobody seemed to care much about anyone more than a couple hundred miles from them in the past. To return to my point, after Indiana's institution of DST in these previously all standard all the time zones, energy costs have actually gone up.

I know that I don't care very much for anyone more than a couple hundred miles from me, but I am obligated to maintain at least a little decorum with those a few hundred feet from me. That is why DST means landscaping around my house. Who doesn't look forward to returning home to a wife holding a shovel and standing in a lawn that has been neglected for almost six months? I love it! Mowing, tilling, spreading, planting, more than just transitive verbs, a lifestyle. The dirt under my fingernails is substantial enough to create a cute little soap dish planter in my shower. But I can't complain too much, it does offer alot of team-building time for me and the family. As the CEO of Jo-Joco setting up an environment that my subordinates can enjoy and flourish in is essential to my retirement. My son is showing signs of upper management already, by next quarter I expect him to be assuming the role of assistant mower manager.

So if cooling costs are the impetus (however inaccurate) behind maintaining the DST, then perhaps that is also the reason for holding games from 10:15 pm-1:30 am? It seems to be the only thing that follows some sort of logic. Lights are cheaper than ice. See you tomorrow, today!

bcIII

P.S. Hey guys, let's all watch that whale oil consumption this year, okay?