Sinking de Mayo

"True" I-league

LSI (0-1-0) 1
Whalers (2-0-0) 6

The arguments for ringers on the roster surely loom for the Whalers, last week they dispatch the BD-I, this week the Imports fall to their harpoon. The game was over at the end of the first. Thomas Aarons is the lead-off shooter for the Whalers and his tally is joined in short order by team mate Joshua Monaco- his goal turns out to be the game winner. The lone Lone Star Imports goal belongs to Mike Bierwiler. David Svoboda picks-up the Whaler offense again and Monaco closes the first period with his second. The formalities ensue and two more periods equals two more Whaler goals, Brad Watson and James Penney. Welcome to true I-league, Topher.

Spiders (1-1-0) 4
Warriors (1-1-0) 2

The Spiders had a disappointing opener last week, losing by a three goal margin, this week they waste no time establishing a three goal lead. Brian Couture capitalizes on the power play, Freddy Gilbert follows suit at even strength, and Couture scores again before the Warriors finally make it on the board. Sean Griffin makes the first Warrior goal and Lisa Michaelides tries to make a game of it, bringing the Warriors within one. . . The Warriors have most of the third period but without Dallas Lehr's appendix, they fall short, eventually giving-up an empty net goal to Couture- a weak hat trick. Sexton allows only two goals on the twenty-eight Warrior shots.

Mutineers (1-1-0) 6
Grave Diggers (0-1-0) 3

The Mutineers reverse the whip on the champion Diggers, last week they lost six to three. Patrick Haley returns to I-league after his failure in the 'Teers goal last week and opens scoring for the Mutineers. Stephen Smith gets his Diggers on the board and ties the game, but Nate Hamilton regains the Mute lead and Patrick collects his second of the night on the power play. He completes the hat trick about four minutes later. With nearly two full periods of play left the Mutineers heap-on two more goals: Brooks Willhoite, Casey Payne. Tom Edwards scores with only two seconds left in the second period trying to turn the momentum but fails to inspire more than one late third period goal on the power play, it falls to Tim Rivers. Making the final score Mutineers three, Grave Diggers three, and Privateers three. . . how will we ever sort this out?

Snipers (0-1-0) 0
Stickmen (2-0-0) 7

This one was one of the most lop-sided games in the history of beer league- not only could the Snipers fail to score a single goal, they couldn't road block one man: Kyle Rybak. Rybak scores the first five goals of the game. In the third period he takes a break to sign autographs while Steph Trapp and Lynne Young carry the offense in his absence. McCollister posts a shut-out on eighteen shots, Matt Walker was smiling when I talked with him after the game.

Shockers (1-1-0) 5
Soul Patch (0-1-0) 1

The Shockers roar back with an expansion team whoopin', their sophomore session makes it time for some freshman hazing. Josh Rooker delivers the first Shocker and just before the first period ends two more Shockers find the twine: Jackson Chang, Justin Driscoll. Driscoll doubles his total with the only goal of the middle frame. The third takes a while to develop, but Eric Yepez drains the fifth Shocker goal in the eleventh minute. With ninety-four minutes left in the game Joey Otsuka sees his shut-out stolen away by Brad Aho, only eight shots against- he may have been a little cold.

Brewzers (0-2-0) 2
Puckers (2-0-0) 3

The Puckers are marching toward another top four finish. It was an auspicious start for the Puckers, generating next to nothing in the way of scoring chances they watch as Jamil Jabri beats Donaghue in the first and John Parker befuddles him in the second. But the Red Army rallies the troops and when Parker puts his Brewzers down a man Jason Arias starts the charge up San Juan hill. Rick Shelby ties the game only half a minute later and in the ninth minute Kyle Boltz makes it three for the Puckers. Patrick Donaghue seals the deal and maintains the perfect record for the team, BULLY!

Blue Devils I (1-1-0) 1
Silverwings (1-1-0) 0

The Silverwings entered the game with a win, the Blue Devils with a loss. Penalties were six minutes on the Devils, none to the Wings. Shots were 18-18. The advantage appeared to be for the Silverwings. The game winner belongs to Casey Jenkins, the only goal of the night when he beats Eric Spivey with a slow, low shot from the point. The Silverwings can't find a weakness in the Blue Devil's defense.

SND

After last week's one goal games who could have predicted these blow-outs?

Ice Bats (0-1-1) 1
Komets (2-0-0) 8

The Bats never had a chance, the first shot of the game, from Ram Lavani, ends-up behind Nunn. Scott Baldree and John Thompson give Nunn a couple more goals against. Rodney Forehand and Dustin Nation get goals in the second period, two times apiece. The Komet domination is briefly interrupted by an Ice Bat whimper from Corby Antropik. In the final period of this demonstration the Green Giant completes the hat trick with his third national deposit. It was a rude awakening for the Sunday morning pick-up stand-by, David Nunn, without his strong third period his save percentage would have been below 50%.

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

My sad, sad story started with a close win last week- one that had as much to do with luck as skill. Entering this one I knew that I would have to turn out another stellar performance if the Pats were to gain the victory. My head would soon be shrunk by the appearance of the rare triple hat trick. . .

The first period begins with a sweet feed from behind the net from Joel Bush to the waiting Tony Finazzo, who directs it into the elbow of the goal above Ellis' glove. The Pats fought hard and escaped the period without any more damage on the scoreboard but in the second the shot from Matt Taylor in the first minute finds the back of the net. Tony Finazzo draws Ellis off his angle and puts one over his outstretched right pad. Joel Bush collects two (one off Ellis from behind the net) making an all but insurmountable lead before Kendall Bernard finally bags the first Patriot goal. Finazzo makes his hat trick soon after. Joe Picardo tries to keep it close with his coast to coast Patriot tally, but more hat tricks had to be handed out. Joel Bush has his dealt to him on a silver platter with a deflection off his belly of an errant Ellis clearing attempt. Taylor makes two more goals to complete his without any more resistance from the Pats. Ellis will likely be putting a lot of work into his game this week.

Blue Devils (1-1-0) 7
Canadiens (1-1-0) 1

A. J. DiBenedetto lays his defeat squarely at the feet of Chris Gallagher, it's not likely he would have many arguments from the rest of the league. The Devils get their first goal from Scott Speelman on the power play, but have to toil away for thirteen minutes before David Ogle gets their second. Martin Berryman collects the third Blue Devil goal and at the end of the second period Chase Hannah drives home another Blue Devil power play. Nate Hodges finally shows-up for the Devils with his first goal, right off the face-off in the third. Charlie Heine picks his spot, not to be denied and then Val Kuntz cleans-up DiBenedetto's rebound in her favor. Everything was roses for Ol' Blu at the other end until William Ashman spoils the shut-out lees than four minutes from the horn.

I Think Hockey is Swell

The schedule is up, just look for the Euless mark on the right side of the screen. I still don't know if the weekend of the eighteenth means anything for our records.


In other news. . .

The first round of the Stanley Cup Play-offs is in the books. It probably doesn't surprise many followers of the fin that San Jose has lost their bite in the post season, yet again. The best in the west falls to the eight seed Ducks winning only two games before retreating to deeper waters. The Ducks for their part will not have any laurels to rest upon as they face the Wings next- Detroit's post-season level of play tends to be the exact opposite of the Sharks.

My goaltending heart goes out to Martin Brodeur, in an uncharacteristic manner, he gives up the one goal lead and the Canes end up winning game seven in regulation. He will fall short of 100 post-season wins by two- Roy has him by 53 (we'll have to wait a few more years for that one to fall), the Hurricanes will have another great goaltender in their future as Tim Thomas and the Bruins await them next.

If Rafael Nadal v. Roger Federer didn't get you going. If you long for the halcyon match-up of Magic and Bird. If you were disappointed that Mario and Wayne never played against each other. Saturday afternoon is your panacea. The two biggest forces in the NHL right now will meet for the first time in the post-season. Need I say more?

The Metroplex may not have a dog in this hunt (Mavs are a different hunt), but you have to love the way this is playing out.

Is This Week One?

"True" I-league

Whalers (1-0-0) 3
Blue Devils I (0-1-0) 2

The storied Blue Devil franchise establishes its first farm team, and it may be awhile before any of these prospects makes the show. After nearly ten minutes of deadlock defensive hockey the Devils strike first with a goal from Todd Smith, but the Hamster puts the Whalers back to net zero. The story is the same in the second, only the names are changed to protect those who value their reputations: the Devil goal belongs to Jamil Jabri and the Whalers get the tying goal from Richard Walter. But the story concludes (finally) in the third period, the Devils miss their cue to score but the Mighty Hamster doesn't miss his. The Whalers win their first game on Brian Hamstra's shoulders, a role that Brian has not relished in the past, will any one step up in his support this session? Perhaps Greg Mata will be the one, he faces twenty-eight shots and allows only two goals.

Puckers (1-0-0) 6
Mutineers (0-1-0) 3

The Puckers watched their play-off hopes fizzle away last session and looked to be suffering from the hangover as the first two Mutineers shots find the back of the net. Patrick grits his teeth as John Swartzbaugh and Casey Payne throw their 'hood up. Rob Constantine feels the wrath of his netminder and delivers the first in a long line of Pucker goals. Dusty Smith is next followed by Constantine, again. Then, a couple from Jason Arias, and to cap-off the scoring spree, Guy Riggs waltzes in shorthanded and makes it six to two in favor of the red menace. In the death throes of the Mutineers opening game, Bob-O collects a meaningless tally, making sure that no matter the outcome of the Mutineer's trail of tears, he will still have his personal stats in order.

Stickmen (1-0-0) 4
Brewzers (0-1-0) 0

The Sticks live through the Patriot 2-0 loss and don't even have a mark on their record, tonight they reverse the whip. During the first period, the Sticks observe the Brewzers wandering about the rink from their blind, taking tedious and careful notes, awaiting their time. That time came in the second. Clint Tippet puts away the first Stick goal, then Kyle Rybak Scores twice on the same shift. Ken Halford scores the fourth and final goal of the contest. Although shooting was dead even from both competitors the remainder of the games statistics fall easily to the Sticks, such as hits, er. . . face-offs (I assume), Penalty minutes, and of course goals. Hits, by the way, result in penalties in our league.

Warriors (1-0-0) 2
Shockers (0-1-0) 1

The Shockers flounder through the first period but gain the lead thanks to Jared Holt with just a couple minutes left in the second. With a cheerful intermission they return to the ice, only to surrender the lead to a late period shot from Warrior Carl Mason. In the final minute of the game Sean Griffith collects the Warriors game winner, bailing out rockstar goalie Bobby Michaelides who turned away more shots than his team could put on the other net, .950 SP.

Spiders (0-1-0) 1
Silverwings (1-0-0) 4

Sergio Castillo's therapy session does gain a Silverwing win but unfortunately yields only one Castillo assist. . . A. J. DiBenedetto seeks refuge from the big lights of the SND goal and gets the assist on the first Silverwing goal from Ryan Kelley, Kelley gets the assist on Bryan Smith's power play goal, and Andrew Patti breaks the Wing streak by capitalizing on the Spider's man advantage. It's Kelley again for the Silverwings, with his second goal and when Mike Ginnard goes into the box for the second time the Silverwings collect another power play goal, this time from Bryan Brookman. The good news for the arachnids is that Mike's third and final time in the sin bin has no ill result on the scoreboard, not much to hang your hat on.

SND

Privateers (0-0-1) 5
Canadiens (1-0-0) 6

Young Kim scores on the first shot for the 'Teers filling all the swashbucklers with confidence and A. J. with dread for the game ahead of him. The Canadiens score next to tie the game, but William Cravens goal is erased by the second Privateer shot on goal- Chris Palmer's goal. Tony Finazzo scores the next Privateer goal, James Macha the next Canadien goal. When Matt Taylor scores the fourth Privateer goal it was only the sixth shot on net, yet somehow before the third period ends, and with the stellar play of Gabe Rivera and Clinton Tippett, the game was knotted at four all. In the final period of regulation, Chris Gallagher nets what he hoped would be the Canadien's game winner but Taylor strikes again for the 'Teers just eight seconds later to tie the game and send it to overtime. Gallagher efficiently utilizes the sudden death period to win the game just 39 seconds in. I criticized Ryan Haley's save percentage last week, perhaps I spoke too soon- this weekend she turns in an unimpressive .667 SP against the Puckers, while A. J. posts a dismal .643 here. Good thing he has Gallagher in reserve.

Ice Bats (0-0-1) 1
Patriots (1-0-0) 2

A tense and hard fought game built for over thirty minutes of game time while both teams continued to hit each other in the face, to no avail. Things were not shaping up well for the Pats who could not get a shot on goal despite having a five on three for nearly ninety seconds. The Patriots do manage to get on the board first when John Newell comes out on top of a goal line scramble. But there were still more than twelve minutes left in the game and a goal line scramble erupts at the other end, this time though David Trantham's effort dies half way across the line under Ellis' right leg. With two minutes and five seconds left Butch Hutchinson puts the Patriot's one goal lead into peril- peril that proves to be far too perilous. The Bats look like piranhas on an Amazon stranded calf around the net, and eventually pulled their goalie, putting six on the Patriot's four. Just as the penalty expires David Trantham takes another swipe at the goal, it rebounds high off the stick of Ellis but hits the shaft and Ellis redirects it back into the goal. Five seconds of staunch puck possession leads to five minutes of the same. In the shoot-out Ellis turns away Tim Marra, Dallas Lehr scores for the Pats. Ellis closes the five hole to block Mark Smith, Marra shuts-down Kendall Bernard in similar fashion. It once again comes down to the match-up of David Trantham and Jon Ellis. With the pressure on both men, David abandons his signature left to right move across the crease and barrels straight at Ellis, Ellis bites on the shoulder fake but when Trantham shoots for the open stick side the diving goaltender Ginsu-s the puck under the blade of his stick. The Patriot bench erupts, the game won.

Komets (1-0-0) 3
Blue Devils (0-1-0) 2

Blubaugh looks to resurrect his weekend winning percentage, but this is not your father's Komet team. With Dobson replacing Coach Al at the helm, they roar out of the gate with goals from Ram Lavani and Kelly Harris. there were rumblings that the Devils were on the verge of an all out team collapse, but Tim Schmidt nips it in the bud with a Devil shot past Brent Bryant (apparently Dobson has chosen to drop the starter goalie A. J. for a goalie who can start), and following that the tying goal from the face of the franchise, Charlie Heine. Dobson watches as the lead evaporates all the while plotting his counter move. Overtime loomed but he doesn't flinch, even as the final seconds tick down. Just as he stratagized, John Thompson makes the open ice steal and slides the winner in with only one second left on the clock, leaving no recourse for the Blue Devils. . . Mu-Wha-Ha-Ha!

You fiddle around with the puck too much, Nate.

Bonus Vicis Hockey Somnium

The truncated opening night leaps-off with no downtime, once again. Some teams made appearances at the tournament in Farmer's Branch, in particular the Blue Devils. The Devils have added some potent members to their offensive lines and came away with a shoot-out victory after a three all tie to an Oklahoma City band of flyboys in the novice division. I know their were more than three games on but can't find the records for any of them. I only played the first period of the Patriots/Stickmen game, but I was told by a reliable source that the game was one by my Pats two to nothin'. Look up Wil Dobson (who seems to be popping-up all over the web) to find out what became of the Komet game, and which ever opponent they faced.

This session marks the beginning of the Saturday night D-league, and the downsized true I-league. Here's the best I can do. . . no additional commentary needed from the likes of you.

Saturday night D-league

Spiders (6-6-1) 4
Brewzers (3-10-0) 2

Bill Wessel shows-up in the season opener as a one man hockey machine, he scores the first two goals, unassisted, for an early Spider's lead. Steven Collyard tries to rally the Brew-crew with some aggressive play but finds himself in the box watching the Spiders hit the net again with a Wessel assisted Mike Ginnard goal. The Spiders build a four goal mountain when Arvin Manalo carries the puck down from the point and tucks the game piece behind the overwhelmed Mike Moore. After a rabid tongue-lashing from the net minder, the Brewzers come to life in the third. Steve Daniels takes the reigns and scores the first Brewzer goal. The second Brewzer goal comes from Dennis Sutton, unfortunately it's the last one. If the Spiders are trying to improve on last sessions final win total you wouldn't know it to look at the bench.

Real I-league

Puckers (5-4-2) 2
Shockers (5-6-0) 1

The Puckers welcome back their storied, franchise goaltender, Patrick Donaghue. Is this a permanent roster move or just a publicity stunt by the team that failed to live-up to their post season expectations? Jason Arias is the first Pucker to pay tribute to his goalie, in the form of a late opening frame goal. The Shockers counter with the tying shot from Matt Russell. Pucker offense really picks it up, throwing shots at a better than two for one toward the Skocker net and Joey Otsuka does fall once more, giving the game winner to Steve Niekamp. The Shockers were unhappy with the level of play in the so-called I-league last session, though they made a strong finish, what will they say after this manhandling?

Warriors (6-4-1) 2
Mutineers (4-7-0) 4

The Warriors are a shadow of the team they once were. The Mutes control the first two periods limiting the Warriors offense to three shots. For their part, a goal from Nathan Hamilton and a rare goal from Chris Kirton. In the closing frame the Warriors finally make their presence felt, Phil Brown cuts the Mutineer lead in half, but Hamilton gets it back. The Warriors get another goal from Brown leaving only one goal for the tie. . . Ryan Lewis drains the feed from Kirton to make an easy win for the Mutinerds. Ryan gets the win but a terrible save percentage allowing two goals on seven shots, hey, it's opening night.

Sidenote: it must suck to be a Sharks fan

Is this one of the most disturbing commercials currently on television?

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. . .