Yes, I did it. I looked at the twenty-eighth, it was a Saturday, I clicked on it and took my cue for a night off. What can I say, I had a very active weekend and wanted to go to bed. I'm sorry.
MAJOR
Blue Devils (4-2-0) 2
Spiders (3-1-1) 1
The Spiders get the first goal of the game from Jennifer Gray, I mean Heather. The Devils counter with David Ogle's opus. I was getting ready for a goalfest. . . The Blue Devils can barely get it out of their zone and every beautiful series of Spider passes ends up ringing a post or beneath the carcass of David Blubaugh. The event terminates in a shoot-out. Brett Syzmonik, who had played an outstanding game when called on, despite two years of rust on his game, is exposed in the first attempt, and the second, and when Roger Gray fails to deliver the stay alive goal the Spiders, he left the ice vowing to never return, or at least not for three years.
Komets (3-2-1) 4
Brewzers (1-5-0) 3
The Komets were cruisin' in spite of the absence of Coach Al they had a goal in the first from Wil Dobson and opened the second with a goal from Bryan Brookman. They never saw the Brewzer wrath awaiting them in the third. Rookie net minder A. J. DiBenedetto, falls victim to back to back goals from Rob Walker, tying the game, and then John Parker, singlehandedly, scores the third Brewzer goal for the lead. Realizing their arrogance and ignorance the Komets push for the win in regulation, without Al to turn to they send Scottie Baldree to the front of the net, and then the game was tied. Then, after nearly thirty shots against, the mighty Mike Moore allows the winning goal to punk-ass Wil Dobson. The Komets are in the hunt again this session, how will they let it slip away this time?
Privateers (4-0-0) 4
Whalers (1-5-0) 2
It was billed as a blood bath, but only generates a pedestrian twenty-two minutes worth of penalties. The 'Teers collect a slashing from Joel Bush and a roughing from Jonathan Horton to open the game. After Bush collects another two minutes for roughing, the Whalers crack back with a back to back slashing and tripping combo from Richard Walter. Tony Finazzo counters with a Privateer tripping minor, but before he can even get out of the box, Thomas Aarons, of the Whalers, pounds home a cross check. In the third, Gus Mask scores the elusive double minor with a roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct. The Hamster shows he can carry his weight with a garbage time penalty, and Mask goes for the hat trick with a holding call before the game can end. Also, the Privateers scored two more goals than the Whalers. Six goals, only one on the power play?
Patriots (6-0-0) 3
Snipers (1-3-0) 1
Rookie defenseman, John Thompson, logs the first Patriot goal, the only goal of the first period. In the second, the Snipers emerge from the chaos in front of the Patriot net with the tying goal, Kevin Cooke claims the bounty. Thompson takes it personally and delivers another goal for the Pats, and spends the remainder of the night controlling the neutral zone to insure he gets the game winner. Steve Benefield plays the lead differently, carrying the puck in for a security goal- the best defense is a good offense. The Pats continue to cut a swath through the I-league, what does it all mean?
Ice Bats (3-2-0) 6
LSI (2-4-0) 3
James Macha puts LSI out in front on the first shift and it takes until the last shift of the period before Eric Petty can tie it back up. Gabe Rivera puts the Imports on top again, but the Bats get a goal from Jason Doyton to strike it out. The teams trade goals again: LSI- Gabe Rivera, Ice Bats- Billy Quinn; to take a tie into the third, that's when things went awry for the Imps. Doyton sets up his line mates for two goals, the first to Danny Grimes, the second to Billy Quinn. With the game all but lost the Imports wave the white flag and Grimes plants the Flag with one more goal putting the Bats above the .500 mark. If this team doesn't implode they will be a force in the second half of the schedule.
Canadiens (3-1-0) 2
Stickmen (1-4-1) 1
Brad Bynum scores a Stickmen goal in the middle of the first, and it looked like it might stand-up. McCollister was certainly doing his part as the Canadiens rained down shot after shot. But the barrage takes its toll, not just the goal from Ryan Smith to send it to overtime, but the fatigue plays a part in the ensuing shoot-out also. With only eleven shots against, the rookie DiBenedetto, looked fresh and turned away all three shooters without the prize. McCollister sees his stupendous effort go for naught when the second shooter, Jason Neal, grabs the brass ring- sending the Sticks into the cellar.
minor
Ice Holes (0-3-1) 0
Grave Diggers (3-1-0) 2
The Holes were a force to be reckoned with for about three minutes, after having nothing to show for it they retreated into their zone depending on Jayson Jones. The returning netminder was up for the challenge, turning away nearly two periods worth of Digger offense. Stephen "Chilly Willy" Janis sinks the Ice Holes' battleship with his period ending goal. The Holes fail to answer the Chilly goal and end up allowing 29 shots on their own net, one more of those finds its way on to the waiting stick of Bob Barr who puts the game out of reach for the Ice Holes.
Shockers (1-3-0) 2
Mutineers (2-2-0) 5
The Shockers are in a ditch, and despite calling in veteran goalie Jesse Gonzales from Richardson, they cannot overcome the relentless Privateer wannabes. Those Mutineers had some difficulty putting the puck behind Gonzales, it takes more than eight minutes for Don Lyle to score. Eric Yepez ties the game on the power play, but John Swartzbaugh restores the Mutineer lead. Yepez closes the first with another Shocker goal to kill the momentum, unfortunately the momentum he killed belonged to the Shockers- they fail to score again for the duration of the game. The Mutineers score the game winner in the second from Spider perennial Mike Ginnard, a second in the second from Nathan Hamilton, and finally in the third, Patrick Haley makes the fifth. Sister, Ryan, was spotted swigging a fifth in the parking lot.
Silverwings (0-1-2) -
Warriors (3-0-0) -
Okay, this one I am pretty sure is legitimate, it doesn't appear to be on Pointstreak. Strangely enough, I was watching this game whilst listening to the woes of Louis Greco and should know who won it, but I don't remember now. Too many jello shots and Ryan Haley anecdotes.
Chiefs (4-0-0) 4
Puckers (2-2-0) 1
Yes, Old Blu is a friend of mine, but sometimes I can hardly stand to watch him play . . . Josh Ayala skates out of the Chief net and gets an assist on the first goal, scored by Bill Broad. In the middle frame, Broad plays the set-up man on the goal from Ryan Brett. The Puckers strike back with a Rob Constantine goal, causing the Chiefs to question their decision to put Stillwagon back in net, but rather than give him the chance to prove himself they score two more goals: Mark Millard, Bill Broad. Twice as many Chief shots as Puckers'.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
What's the Frequency, Pointstreak?
There was a lot of action in the rink this weekend, I witnessed most of it. At 4:30, I had my first game and eventually my second game arrived at around 10:30, whatever time it was, it wasn't right on the monitor. I don't what that said or what that was. Okay, but I can't look on Pointstreak, there's no scores on it! There's NO SCORE THERE! What does that mean, "no games on this day"? I don't know what that means. . . end the Blog? I can't do it. I guess I should have done it live. We'll DO IT LIVE, FORK IT! I'll write it and we'll DO IT LIVE! The FLIPPIN' THING SUCKS!
That's it for the weekend, we'll leave you with crossbar talk. . .
Now, the schedule said 10:15 for my last game but there is a problem with the new 13 minute period that has not been accounted for in the ice management. For some reason if you add six minutes of clock time, associated penalties, stoppages (with changes), and whatever unforeseen events that are associated with a beer league game you just can't cram it into the same one hour of real time that was scheduled before. The Refs are none too happy about the situation, either. You may have your opinions about what the refs do or don't do in the games but the fact is they schedule with the rink a certain amount of time out of their personal lives to collect a modest paycheck keeping our asses in line, as best they can. When they sign-up for a night of I-league, the schedule shows six hours worth of games and can end up going seven and a half easily. The word is that the pressure is put on the refs to speed the games up to get everyone out of the building on schedule: players, coaches, Zam operators, and the rest of the staff. It's a trend that hasn't gone unnoticed. Some refs are sticking to their guns making every call, while others are letting everything go just to get the game caught up.
The simplest solution, it seems, would be to just allow an extra fifteen minutes on the schedule per game. When the ref has to try and balance so many off ice issues with the action on the surface, things can quickly get out of control. If the refs are scheduled for the appropriate time to begin with then they would be less likely to feel imposed upon and carry that attitude into the games.
Everyone will still have their problems with refs and the schedule will actually quote the 4:30 starts all the way to the last one at midnight, but it's better to start at midnight rather than sitting in your gear in a smelly locker room for ten or fifteen minutes. . . Okay maybe that smell is just me.
I was completely distracted by the talk in the crossbar and couldn't tell you much about any of the games except the two I actually played in, so we'll have to catch-up on the scores later in the week.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
And the Nominees Are. . .
minor
Mutineers (1-2-0) 2
Puckers (2-1-0) 3
Patrick Haley gives a strong performance in the opening act, putting the Mutineers up late, but his presence is overshadowed by Pucker David James before the scene change. In the second act boom mic operator, David Blubaugh lowers his equipment into the shot and allows Kirkland to steal the show, putting the Mutineers up again. After administering a Christian Bale style tongue lashing, Kyle Burns rescues the Pucker cast from the doldrums and ties the game. In the final act, our protagonist overcomes- Pucker, Rick Shelby lays the puck behind Ryan Haley, sobbing could be heard off camera as the Mutineers drift below the .500 mark.
Chiefs (3-0-0) 7
Shockers (1-2-0) 0
The Shocker deliver a tour d'force on the scale of Heath Ledger, not in Batman, of course, more like in the hotel room. The Chiefs, who were once the worst team in the league, score goal after goal starting with one in the first to Tom Harnitchek, two in the second to Bill Broad and Ben Stillwagon, respectively, and concluding the story of Job with four in the third: Ryan Brett, Tom Harnitchek, Ben Stillwagon, and Lee Morgan. To further demonstrate their dominance, the Chiefs limit the Shockers to eight shots. The only drama in this screen play originates with the eighteen minutes worth of Chief penalties, and the twenty-seven minutes of Shocker penalties.
Warriors (3-0-0) 6
Ice Holes (0-2-1) 0
James Barber tried-out his first pair of goalie skates. . . in a game. This wouldn't be the only first in this nominee for best original screen play. Scott "Mindo" Dolbee and Dallas Lehr close the exposition with a catastrophic two goal flurry. The climax is foreshadowed by the second goal by Mindo in the middle of our story. The clean game is frenzied with the attack of Kyle Overton, and the audience's blood lust finally quenched when Mindo achieves his first career hattrick. A palpable chuckle could be felt when the denouement closed with Fred McDonnell's goal. The 'Holes could be up for best supporting actor in the Mindo hattrick. . .
Silverwings (0-1-2) 2
Grave Diggers (2-1-0) 3
Who could have guessed that the quiet opening frame of the lowly Diggers' and S-Wing's would yield one of the most breathtaking performances of the season. Late in the middle frame the Silverwings hit two goals on back to back shifts (Jason Vrendenberg, Kyle Ammann) but the momentum swing is arrested when Grave Digger Tim Rivers caps the second with a goal to bring the Diggers within one. The netminders at either end turn away all comers except the one game tying goal from- Jon Ellis? That's what the score sheet says, I'm stickin' with it! After a lagging overtime the picture concluded with a thrilling shoot-out. The only shooter to find the back of the net is Grave Digger Billy Quinn. Ammann wasn't the only one to leave the rink in tears.
MAJOR
Blue Devils (3-2-0) 5
Komets (2-2-1) 4
A. J. DiBenedetto goes toe to toe with veteran David Blubaugh- Blu blinks first when Wil Dobson delivers the handcuffs, putting the reigning champs down early. The Devils avenge their goalie with goals from Scott Speelman and Charlie Heine. Komet nation rebounds to tie the game when Scottie Baldree takes control of the puck. Heine wrestles back the lead, Danny Flynn adds to the Blue Devil lead. Baldree scores another Komet goal, co-goalie Brent Bryant ties the game again, but late in the game the Devils find their winning ways via Todd Smith. If A.J. had any doubts about taking the leading role, surely he has put those to bed now.
Stickmen (1-4-0) 4
Whalers (1-3-0) 0
The Sticks do a period piece, hearkening back to the near-glory days of the Stickmen, if for only on night. . . "Big" Joe Tomme opens the scoring, putting the Sticks on top. Lynne Young takes the honor of the supporting goal, in the Stickmen's route. In the closing of the game the Hamster tries to spur the Whalers but instead ends up in the box watching Clint Tippet score on the power play. The Sticks stick a fork in the Whalers with another goal from Young. The Whalers seem to be writing a Cinderella story in reverse.
Privateers (3-0-0) 9
Brewzers (1-4-0) 1
Another lopsided game on the night, perhaps it was a product of the leftover angst from the Mutineer loss. The first was all 'Teers: Casey Payne, Brian Zientek, Dan Lowery, and another from Zientek. Joel Bush starts the second with more Privateer fanfare, Tony Finazzo scores the next 'Teer tally but the streak hits a hiccup as the Brewzers spoil the shut-out with their only goal, Steven Collyard is the fortunate man to be on the power play at the right time. The Privateers re-boot with goals from Bob-O, Gus Mask, and another from Dan Lowery. Z-tek fails to get his hat trick despite having two periods and a tired Mike Moore in net (Mike faces thirty-four shots).
Ice Bats (2-2-0) 3
Snipers (1-2-0) 0
Billy Quinn scores the game winner. . . in the fourth minute of the game- how did we stay with this one for an hour and whatever. It takes until the third period for another player to find the twine, that player is Raul Gilbreath, two times. That must be why we stuck around, thirty-six shots, allowing only three goals to the Ice Bats- Matt Walker is cementing himself in the Brewzer net, if only he could get some support at the other end.
Patriots (5-0-0) 4
Spiders (3-1-0) 2
The opening frame was more exciting than most would have expected from a Spider/Patriot collaboration, a fluke goal from the top of the left circle puts the Pats down early. Andrew Patti's goal is quickly joined by a deflected shot from Mike Ginnard for a two-nil Spider lead. John Newell starts the Patriot charge and before the first can end Travis Lehr gets the equalizer. In the closing throes of the second period, Roy "Hands" Haenselmann nets the game winner and in the third the Pats put a spotlight on the remainder of their games, holding-off the Spiders and with the help of John Thompson, winning their fifth straight game this session.
LSI (1-3-0) 1
Canadiens (2-1-0) 3
Sibling rivalry culminates in a win for the Canadiens, it was never in question, but with all of the cross pollination of these two teams, could their really be a loser- technically, yes. Rob Diaz and Ken Lentz start the Canadiens off and Mike Kirkland joins them with the third Canadien goal. Catherine Levesque and Gabe Rivera combine in regular LSI fashion for the only goal in the losing effort, Gabe puts it in the net this time. Chris Gallagher was in tears when he flipped the coin before the game to determine who would win.
. . . And the winner is . . .
A. J. DiBenedetto
Mutineers (1-2-0) 2
Puckers (2-1-0) 3
Patrick Haley gives a strong performance in the opening act, putting the Mutineers up late, but his presence is overshadowed by Pucker David James before the scene change. In the second act boom mic operator, David Blubaugh lowers his equipment into the shot and allows Kirkland to steal the show, putting the Mutineers up again. After administering a Christian Bale style tongue lashing, Kyle Burns rescues the Pucker cast from the doldrums and ties the game. In the final act, our protagonist overcomes- Pucker, Rick Shelby lays the puck behind Ryan Haley, sobbing could be heard off camera as the Mutineers drift below the .500 mark.
Chiefs (3-0-0) 7
Shockers (1-2-0) 0
The Shocker deliver a tour d'force on the scale of Heath Ledger, not in Batman, of course, more like in the hotel room. The Chiefs, who were once the worst team in the league, score goal after goal starting with one in the first to Tom Harnitchek, two in the second to Bill Broad and Ben Stillwagon, respectively, and concluding the story of Job with four in the third: Ryan Brett, Tom Harnitchek, Ben Stillwagon, and Lee Morgan. To further demonstrate their dominance, the Chiefs limit the Shockers to eight shots. The only drama in this screen play originates with the eighteen minutes worth of Chief penalties, and the twenty-seven minutes of Shocker penalties.
Warriors (3-0-0) 6
Ice Holes (0-2-1) 0
James Barber tried-out his first pair of goalie skates. . . in a game. This wouldn't be the only first in this nominee for best original screen play. Scott "Mindo" Dolbee and Dallas Lehr close the exposition with a catastrophic two goal flurry. The climax is foreshadowed by the second goal by Mindo in the middle of our story. The clean game is frenzied with the attack of Kyle Overton, and the audience's blood lust finally quenched when Mindo achieves his first career hattrick. A palpable chuckle could be felt when the denouement closed with Fred McDonnell's goal. The 'Holes could be up for best supporting actor in the Mindo hattrick. . .
Silverwings (0-1-2) 2
Grave Diggers (2-1-0) 3
Who could have guessed that the quiet opening frame of the lowly Diggers' and S-Wing's would yield one of the most breathtaking performances of the season. Late in the middle frame the Silverwings hit two goals on back to back shifts (Jason Vrendenberg, Kyle Ammann) but the momentum swing is arrested when Grave Digger Tim Rivers caps the second with a goal to bring the Diggers within one. The netminders at either end turn away all comers except the one game tying goal from- Jon Ellis? That's what the score sheet says, I'm stickin' with it! After a lagging overtime the picture concluded with a thrilling shoot-out. The only shooter to find the back of the net is Grave Digger Billy Quinn. Ammann wasn't the only one to leave the rink in tears.
MAJOR
Blue Devils (3-2-0) 5
Komets (2-2-1) 4
A. J. DiBenedetto goes toe to toe with veteran David Blubaugh- Blu blinks first when Wil Dobson delivers the handcuffs, putting the reigning champs down early. The Devils avenge their goalie with goals from Scott Speelman and Charlie Heine. Komet nation rebounds to tie the game when Scottie Baldree takes control of the puck. Heine wrestles back the lead, Danny Flynn adds to the Blue Devil lead. Baldree scores another Komet goal, co-goalie Brent Bryant ties the game again, but late in the game the Devils find their winning ways via Todd Smith. If A.J. had any doubts about taking the leading role, surely he has put those to bed now.
Stickmen (1-4-0) 4
Whalers (1-3-0) 0
The Sticks do a period piece, hearkening back to the near-glory days of the Stickmen, if for only on night. . . "Big" Joe Tomme opens the scoring, putting the Sticks on top. Lynne Young takes the honor of the supporting goal, in the Stickmen's route. In the closing of the game the Hamster tries to spur the Whalers but instead ends up in the box watching Clint Tippet score on the power play. The Sticks stick a fork in the Whalers with another goal from Young. The Whalers seem to be writing a Cinderella story in reverse.
Privateers (3-0-0) 9
Brewzers (1-4-0) 1
Another lopsided game on the night, perhaps it was a product of the leftover angst from the Mutineer loss. The first was all 'Teers: Casey Payne, Brian Zientek, Dan Lowery, and another from Zientek. Joel Bush starts the second with more Privateer fanfare, Tony Finazzo scores the next 'Teer tally but the streak hits a hiccup as the Brewzers spoil the shut-out with their only goal, Steven Collyard is the fortunate man to be on the power play at the right time. The Privateers re-boot with goals from Bob-O, Gus Mask, and another from Dan Lowery. Z-tek fails to get his hat trick despite having two periods and a tired Mike Moore in net (Mike faces thirty-four shots).
Ice Bats (2-2-0) 3
Snipers (1-2-0) 0
Billy Quinn scores the game winner. . . in the fourth minute of the game- how did we stay with this one for an hour and whatever. It takes until the third period for another player to find the twine, that player is Raul Gilbreath, two times. That must be why we stuck around, thirty-six shots, allowing only three goals to the Ice Bats- Matt Walker is cementing himself in the Brewzer net, if only he could get some support at the other end.
Patriots (5-0-0) 4
Spiders (3-1-0) 2
The opening frame was more exciting than most would have expected from a Spider/Patriot collaboration, a fluke goal from the top of the left circle puts the Pats down early. Andrew Patti's goal is quickly joined by a deflected shot from Mike Ginnard for a two-nil Spider lead. John Newell starts the Patriot charge and before the first can end Travis Lehr gets the equalizer. In the closing throes of the second period, Roy "Hands" Haenselmann nets the game winner and in the third the Pats put a spotlight on the remainder of their games, holding-off the Spiders and with the help of John Thompson, winning their fifth straight game this session.
LSI (1-3-0) 1
Canadiens (2-1-0) 3
Sibling rivalry culminates in a win for the Canadiens, it was never in question, but with all of the cross pollination of these two teams, could their really be a loser- technically, yes. Rob Diaz and Ken Lentz start the Canadiens off and Mike Kirkland joins them with the third Canadien goal. Catherine Levesque and Gabe Rivera combine in regular LSI fashion for the only goal in the losing effort, Gabe puts it in the net this time. Chris Gallagher was in tears when he flipped the coin before the game to determine who would win.
. . . And the winner is . . .
A. J. DiBenedetto
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mid-week Grab Bag
While cruising the net looking for anything hockey related, I came across this little jewel.
So, if you're looking for that extra edge without exerting yourself in anyway, this could be just for you.
In what I hope will be a popular regular feature, we've hosted two hockey chicks-of-the-month. On a blanket request for interesting show and tell photos, I got visual confirmation that Miss January enjoys doggy style. . .
What? Double on tawn what? I don't know what you're talking about. . .
Here's a contribution from the much maligned Bob Sirkis, Sr. Step inside the head of the diminutive sire of a gaggle of hockey savants:
Bob Sirkis. . .
Why I Play Hockey
Have you ever thought about why you play hockey? I had not until the recent Silver and Goals Tournament.
At first I thought I played hockey because it is fun and I have a great time playing. I play on the Euless I-League Grave Diggers; many believe we are better at digging graves than playing hockey. That may be true but we have a heck of a lot of fun.
Then I thought ‘it is great exercise’, hockey keeps me in some semblance of shape, and that is important since I had a triple bypass- or as ‘Doc’ would say a cabbage, when I was 36. Doctors say exercise is very important to good heart health. Running (no matter what ‘Sticky Saves’ says), walking, or Stair Masters just won’t cut it.
Then I thought ‘If I play hockey, the boys have to listen to me when I tell them what to do’. If you have seen me play and seen my boys play you know what a joke that is. I have three speeds: Slow, slower, and slowest. I have played all positions on the ice, including the boards, the sin bin, and goalie. How I survive is anyone’s guess.
My oldest son, Bobby, coaches my I-league team, well- he says it's coaching, I think he just gets ninety minutes to tell off the old man. He does tailor his advice to my game, I guess. My two favorites are:
When he's coaching my team- “Go wide and slow down!” of course I thinking “if I go any slower, I’ll stop”.
Then when he is on the other bench- “See the guy with the red helmet? He plays ‘D’. Dump the puck, you will wear him out.”
The Grave Digger's back-up goalie is my son Jake, who at age 7 ½, skates backwards in his goalie equipment faster than I will ever skate forward. And of course he is laughing all the way saying “come on Daddy, anybody can skate backwards”. Or, on the rare occasion when I play goalie his favorite refrain “Guard the post!”
For the last few years I have been fortunate to play in the annual Christmas Tournament put on by the Dr. Pepper Star Centers. It is a tournament I look forward to because I get to play with some excellent hockey players and have a great time. These players are Bobby, Tommy, and Jake- who for the first time joined the tournament team as back-up goalie. One thing in life anyone (Ryan Smith) needs to remember is there are no secrets when a 7 ½ year old is around. During one of the games I took a penalty. Bobby was going to say something but before he could say anything Jake was all over me:
“That was a stupid penalty! They just scored! You cost the goalie a shutout! I’m so mad at you. . . I’m telling Mom when we get home!”
Everyone on the ice was laughing, both benches, score keeper, even Olsen took pity on me.
Playing on a line with Bobby and Tommy you might think I would have scored. Well, I have three speeds remember? Slow, Slower, and Slowest. They can only do Russian circles so long.
Anyway the Christmas Tournament is one thing I look forward to every year. I get to play hockey with my boys and have a great time doing so. That is why I play Hockey!
Bob Sirkis (Sr).
Tommy, Bobby, Jake, and Bob Sirkis- 2008 Silver and Goals
So, if you're looking for that extra edge without exerting yourself in anyway, this could be just for you.
In what I hope will be a popular regular feature, we've hosted two hockey chicks-of-the-month. On a blanket request for interesting show and tell photos, I got visual confirmation that Miss January enjoys doggy style. . .
What? Double on tawn what? I don't know what you're talking about. . .
Here's a contribution from the much maligned Bob Sirkis, Sr. Step inside the head of the diminutive sire of a gaggle of hockey savants:
Bob Sirkis. . .
Why I Play Hockey
Have you ever thought about why you play hockey? I had not until the recent Silver and Goals Tournament.
At first I thought I played hockey because it is fun and I have a great time playing. I play on the Euless I-League Grave Diggers; many believe we are better at digging graves than playing hockey. That may be true but we have a heck of a lot of fun.
Then I thought ‘it is great exercise’, hockey keeps me in some semblance of shape, and that is important since I had a triple bypass- or as ‘Doc’ would say a cabbage, when I was 36. Doctors say exercise is very important to good heart health. Running (no matter what ‘Sticky Saves’ says), walking, or Stair Masters just won’t cut it.
Then I thought ‘If I play hockey, the boys have to listen to me when I tell them what to do’. If you have seen me play and seen my boys play you know what a joke that is. I have three speeds: Slow, slower, and slowest. I have played all positions on the ice, including the boards, the sin bin, and goalie. How I survive is anyone’s guess.
My oldest son, Bobby, coaches my I-league team, well- he says it's coaching, I think he just gets ninety minutes to tell off the old man. He does tailor his advice to my game, I guess. My two favorites are:
When he's coaching my team- “Go wide and slow down!” of course I thinking “if I go any slower, I’ll stop”.
Then when he is on the other bench- “See the guy with the red helmet? He plays ‘D’. Dump the puck, you will wear him out.”
The Grave Digger's back-up goalie is my son Jake, who at age 7 ½, skates backwards in his goalie equipment faster than I will ever skate forward. And of course he is laughing all the way saying “come on Daddy, anybody can skate backwards”. Or, on the rare occasion when I play goalie his favorite refrain “Guard the post!”
For the last few years I have been fortunate to play in the annual Christmas Tournament put on by the Dr. Pepper Star Centers. It is a tournament I look forward to because I get to play with some excellent hockey players and have a great time. These players are Bobby, Tommy, and Jake- who for the first time joined the tournament team as back-up goalie. One thing in life anyone (Ryan Smith) needs to remember is there are no secrets when a 7 ½ year old is around. During one of the games I took a penalty. Bobby was going to say something but before he could say anything Jake was all over me:
“That was a stupid penalty! They just scored! You cost the goalie a shutout! I’m so mad at you. . . I’m telling Mom when we get home!”
Everyone on the ice was laughing, both benches, score keeper, even Olsen took pity on me.
Playing on a line with Bobby and Tommy you might think I would have scored. Well, I have three speeds remember? Slow, Slower, and Slowest. They can only do Russian circles so long.
Anyway the Christmas Tournament is one thing I look forward to every year. I get to play hockey with my boys and have a great time doing so. That is why I play Hockey!
Bob Sirkis (Sr).
Tommy, Bobby, Jake, and Bob Sirkis- 2008 Silver and Goals
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Miss Februaury, Happy Valentine's Day
SNH: Hi, Jen. What's the haps?
Jen: Oh life is crazy...but always good to hear from you hon!
SNH: I've known you for quite a while now, I know you're from the land of ten thousand lakes, so did you start playing hockey when you were there?
Jen: Nope...i’m old remember...back then Moses was a small child, and girls weren’t allowed to play hockey. All the dads plowed the girls a separate rink on the lake to figure skate on....put a big snowbank in-between the girls and the boys rink so the pucks wouldn’t kill us...
SNH: How old were you when you got to Texas?
Jen: 14...landed here 3 days before high school started...totally a fish outta water, it was very traumatic!
SNH: So is hockey a family tradition?
Jen: Not so much with my extended family, although they are all fans of the game. My brother Chris was the first to start playing...he was in Mite hockey up in a little town called TWIG (seriously) just north of Duluth when he was really little, and I helped out at the concession stand during their games so I wouldn’t freeze to death – all their games and practices were outside.
SNH: So romantic, the outside game. And, who is the better player?
Jen: HA! I’m sure everyone who has ever witnessed me play knows the answer to that even if they‘ve never met Chris! My brother is greatness...he is so naturally talented. If he stayed off skates for the next 10 years and I practiced every day, I’d still not be able to take him one on one. Oh no, I’m not bitter ;)
SNH: . . . One of the first things that endeared you to me was your cute little painted toe nails, Miss January admitted to getting her pedicure for healthy skating feet, why do you do it?
Jen: Truthfully – because I SUCK at doing it myself!! I was just born without that gene that most girls have that enables them to paint their own nails or toenails...it always ends up looking like a 2-yr old did it...and since I have no kids to blame it on...had to turn over the responsibility for my hands and feet to someone much more qualified!!
SNH: They're so adorable. Another one of my favorite traits of yours is the terms of endearment- you're always referring to those around you as dear or sweety, or whatever. . . Is that a family thing or something you picked up when you moved to Texas?
Jen: I must have picked it up here....can’t say anyone in my family does it, they are much too sarcastic for that...you gotta stay on your toes around them. Sometimes I think I offend people because of it...but I’m glad I haven’t offended you dear!!!
SNH: You know I've tried to incorporate that into my own conversational habits, or haven't you noticed, hun?
Jen: Babycakessweetiepiehoneybunchboyfriend!!!!
SNH: Oh stop, I'm blushing!
Jen: Aw.
SNH: Okay, back on subject. How many teams are you playing on these days? Are you over extending yourself?
Jen: Geezluise no. I haven’t played in a month due to my crazy schedule. I play for Damifino in the D-league, and for the Brewzers and Snipers in the I-league, though they haven’t seen me this season!! (sorry guys!)
SNH: What a shame, I certainly feel a void when you're not at the rink. Are you currently coordinating any of them?
Jen: Actually, not anymore. When I started coordinating I loved it, because I had the time to do it well. Since life got pretty busy, I was slacking off...so I gave over coordinator duties to those more qualified!!
SNH: Tell me about the coordinating gig, does the stress of stringing it all together balance out with the playing for free? Do you actually get to play for free, or do you have to cover a lot of short players?
Jen: I never played for free as a coordinator, my teams always just split it up evenly...and I always had a good group of players so I was never stuck with covering anyone who couldn’t pay. But, I know many coordinators who aren’t so lucky...and it's a big, time-consuming job every season end to keep rosters filled. You really do get to know everyone well though – made a lot of friends in hockey I’m really thankful for !
SNH: I can't imagine. It's something I've been considering trying for a long time, I'm still too apprehensive to tackle it yet. What else do you occupy your time with?
Jen: I work way too much, I’m a media director at Dieste, Inc. (Hispanic ad agency in Dallas)...its not just a 9-5 thing, so its hard to have much going on outside the office...aside from hockey!
SNH: So is it true that you're bilingual?
Jen: I hate to use that because I get hit with words I don’t know every day...but I’m pretty capable with Spanish...helps in my job of course.
SNH:Still single?
Jen: Yes, though I am dating someone...we’ll see how that goes. I was married once a long time ago for about a minute and a half. Key learning: never marry a musician!
SNH: You are truly an intriguing individual! As Miss Februaury, what do you think is the true meaning of Valentine's day?
Jen: Geez, that’s a toughie. V-day was never one of my favorites, I always seem to have bad luck with this holiday. I think all the cheesy candy and cards are stupid. But, life can get hectic and crazy, and sometimes people need a reminder in the form of an official “day” to make sure and tell their significant others they care I guess. I’d rather get a random card or flowers ANY OTHER DAY than Valentine's day...but that’s just me.
SNH: Cheesy candy, that sounds disgusting. Well, I hope I will be seeing more of you in the Cross Bar in the near future, before we call it, is there anything you need to set straight about Jen Leonard for our readers? Or is there something people should know about you?
Jen: I don’t think anyone should sing Patsy Cline EXCEPT for Patsy Cline. I’m seriously afraid of cornfields at night. I love sushi, hate coconut, think peanut butter should have its own food group, and believe dark chocolate cures everything. Whataburger taquitos at like 2:30am may just be the world’s perfect food. I think that about covers it...
SNH: Thank you so much for your time, kiss-kiss! (guess I should stop singing back in baby's arms a karaoke night)
Jen: Oh life is crazy...but always good to hear from you hon!
SNH: I've known you for quite a while now, I know you're from the land of ten thousand lakes, so did you start playing hockey when you were there?
Jen: Nope...i’m old remember...back then Moses was a small child, and girls weren’t allowed to play hockey. All the dads plowed the girls a separate rink on the lake to figure skate on....put a big snowbank in-between the girls and the boys rink so the pucks wouldn’t kill us...
SNH: How old were you when you got to Texas?
Jen: 14...landed here 3 days before high school started...totally a fish outta water, it was very traumatic!
SNH: So is hockey a family tradition?
Jen: Not so much with my extended family, although they are all fans of the game. My brother Chris was the first to start playing...he was in Mite hockey up in a little town called TWIG (seriously) just north of Duluth when he was really little, and I helped out at the concession stand during their games so I wouldn’t freeze to death – all their games and practices were outside.
SNH: So romantic, the outside game. And, who is the better player?
Jen: HA! I’m sure everyone who has ever witnessed me play knows the answer to that even if they‘ve never met Chris! My brother is greatness...he is so naturally talented. If he stayed off skates for the next 10 years and I practiced every day, I’d still not be able to take him one on one. Oh no, I’m not bitter ;)
SNH: . . . One of the first things that endeared you to me was your cute little painted toe nails, Miss January admitted to getting her pedicure for healthy skating feet, why do you do it?
Jen: Truthfully – because I SUCK at doing it myself!! I was just born without that gene that most girls have that enables them to paint their own nails or toenails...it always ends up looking like a 2-yr old did it...and since I have no kids to blame it on...had to turn over the responsibility for my hands and feet to someone much more qualified!!
SNH: They're so adorable. Another one of my favorite traits of yours is the terms of endearment- you're always referring to those around you as dear or sweety, or whatever. . . Is that a family thing or something you picked up when you moved to Texas?
Jen: I must have picked it up here....can’t say anyone in my family does it, they are much too sarcastic for that...you gotta stay on your toes around them. Sometimes I think I offend people because of it...but I’m glad I haven’t offended you dear!!!
SNH: You know I've tried to incorporate that into my own conversational habits, or haven't you noticed, hun?
Jen: Babycakessweetiepiehoneybunchboyfriend!!!!
SNH: Oh stop, I'm blushing!
Jen: Aw.
SNH: Okay, back on subject. How many teams are you playing on these days? Are you over extending yourself?
Jen: Geezluise no. I haven’t played in a month due to my crazy schedule. I play for Damifino in the D-league, and for the Brewzers and Snipers in the I-league, though they haven’t seen me this season!! (sorry guys!)
SNH: What a shame, I certainly feel a void when you're not at the rink. Are you currently coordinating any of them?
Jen: Actually, not anymore. When I started coordinating I loved it, because I had the time to do it well. Since life got pretty busy, I was slacking off...so I gave over coordinator duties to those more qualified!!
SNH: Tell me about the coordinating gig, does the stress of stringing it all together balance out with the playing for free? Do you actually get to play for free, or do you have to cover a lot of short players?
Jen: I never played for free as a coordinator, my teams always just split it up evenly...and I always had a good group of players so I was never stuck with covering anyone who couldn’t pay. But, I know many coordinators who aren’t so lucky...and it's a big, time-consuming job every season end to keep rosters filled. You really do get to know everyone well though – made a lot of friends in hockey I’m really thankful for !
SNH: I can't imagine. It's something I've been considering trying for a long time, I'm still too apprehensive to tackle it yet. What else do you occupy your time with?
Jen: I work way too much, I’m a media director at Dieste, Inc. (Hispanic ad agency in Dallas)...its not just a 9-5 thing, so its hard to have much going on outside the office...aside from hockey!
SNH: So is it true that you're bilingual?
Jen: I hate to use that because I get hit with words I don’t know every day...but I’m pretty capable with Spanish...helps in my job of course.
SNH:Still single?
Jen: Yes, though I am dating someone...we’ll see how that goes. I was married once a long time ago for about a minute and a half. Key learning: never marry a musician!
SNH: You are truly an intriguing individual! As Miss Februaury, what do you think is the true meaning of Valentine's day?
Jen: Geez, that’s a toughie. V-day was never one of my favorites, I always seem to have bad luck with this holiday. I think all the cheesy candy and cards are stupid. But, life can get hectic and crazy, and sometimes people need a reminder in the form of an official “day” to make sure and tell their significant others they care I guess. I’d rather get a random card or flowers ANY OTHER DAY than Valentine's day...but that’s just me.
SNH: Cheesy candy, that sounds disgusting. Well, I hope I will be seeing more of you in the Cross Bar in the near future, before we call it, is there anything you need to set straight about Jen Leonard for our readers? Or is there something people should know about you?
Jen: I don’t think anyone should sing Patsy Cline EXCEPT for Patsy Cline. I’m seriously afraid of cornfields at night. I love sushi, hate coconut, think peanut butter should have its own food group, and believe dark chocolate cures everything. Whataburger taquitos at like 2:30am may just be the world’s perfect food. I think that about covers it...
SNH: Thank you so much for your time, kiss-kiss! (guess I should stop singing back in baby's arms a karaoke night)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Yockey Says
this is optional drop in hockey for our I league. I have combined several teams and you all should have a lot of fun. Our proshop may only stay open until 8 or 830.
730 gld Brewzers,Snipers, and stickmen
845 gld -shockers, puckers, komets
10 gld - chiefs,grave diggers, warriors
1115 gld - LSI, canadiens, silverwings
745 green privateers, mutineers
9 green blue devils, pats, ice bats
1015 green. Spiders, whalers' ice holes
Sent from Tom Yockey's handheld
Dallas Stars/ Dr Pepper StarCenter
730 gld Brewzers,Snipers, and stickmen
845 gld -shockers, puckers, komets
10 gld - chiefs,grave diggers, warriors
1115 gld - LSI, canadiens, silverwings
745 green privateers, mutineers
9 green blue devils, pats, ice bats
1015 green. Spiders, whalers' ice holes
Sent from Tom Yockey's handheld
Dallas Stars/ Dr Pepper StarCenter
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