The Blue Devils are your back-to-back keg winners tonight in a 2-1 thriller over the Ice Holes. Ray "Dancing Hip-Hop-apotamus" Workman gets the winner on a shootout goal.
Way to go, Raymond. Way to go, BDs.
BC
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Attention, Kmart shoppers
The pro shop at StarCenter just received a shipment of Stars pro stock sticks. I got a spankin' new Bauer One90 (Nik Hagman's) for 69 bucks. They had Warriors (Brad Winchester, I think.) and Eastons, too. Lots of lefty sticks. Not so many righties, though. There's also a box of composite blades at 10 bucks and 13 bucks. Get 'em while they last.
BC
p.s. Go Blue Devils
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Big Match-up
It's set, no not Stone Cold v. Ginger, the Iceholes will play the Blue Devils for the Keg. The Brewzers, after much controversy, made the play-offs but fell flat against the endless benches of Devils. Their were some officiating issues but not enough to make up for the whoopin' handed out in the last game on the green rink. Could the Patriots have knocked-off the Devils? Who knows, it took a long shoot-out session to rise above the DFW Titans.
Speaking of the last game on the green rink, the schedule showed one more after the Blue Devils ran the table but for some reason the Moose didn't show. The Chiefs made the most of it with a much needed practice, even a little on-ice support meeting for Stone Cold.
Next week's crowning of the I-league champion should be yet another fun event for all in attendance. Plenty of mock NHL accouterments, sub-par food, and as always a patented I-league brand of competition as the focal point. Two great teams, a rematch of last session's championship game, maybe this time the Holes will score a few goals, they seem primed for some offense. My prediction: Holes win in the third after trailing two to nothing for most of the game. Final score Iceholes 5, Blue Devils 4, I sure hope so, last session's 2-0 shut-out wasn't exactly the most exciting game to grace our edifice. For some reason defensive, patient, conservative hockey and I-league level play just aren't much of a combination.
Good luck to those with something to play for, I was robbed!
Here's how it went down, more or less. . .
Patriots (6-3-0) 4
DFW Titans (4-3-2) 3
The first period had no scoring but lots of shots, mostly on one side of the rink. It looked like the winner would be the team that scored first and in the second, after twenty one attempts at the net, that honor finally falls to Titan "Hot Rod" Lincoln Foster. But, not so fast, the Pats won't hang their head, just a few seconds into the third, Les York pops one by James Barber. A couple of minutes later the Patriots take control of the game when Steve Benefield streaks in from the point to score a power play goal. Which primed the Titans for another momentum switch, Justin Mason evens the score on the backhand. With the score tied, Roy Haenselmann is sent to the box putting the potent Titans power play on the job, but Les York bails-out his father-in-law with a quick shorty, and the lead. But before the penalty can end his daughter screens Ellis who gives up the lead to Mason. Only a minute left in regulation, not enough. Five minutes of OT, not enough. Two benches full of shooters, not enough. It takes until the second rolling through the roster before Les York finally gets the winner. I don't know if that's an official hat trick, but it was exciting for sure. Too, bad it was at 5:30, and no one else saw the game.
Snipers (3-6-0) 1
Hitmen I (5-4-1) 6
The Hitmen show-up big, Levesque virtually absent from the box score, how can this be? Levesque's line mate, Gabriel Rivera comes up with the first goal of the game and Cliff Bogle adds to the Hitmen's lead before the first period ends. Wil Dobson (now officially a hockey whore) scores on the first shift and Rivera claims the fourth Hitmen goal shortly after. But David Jackson loses his bid at a shut-out (his first?), at the hands of Alex "not Steve" Eysermans. Bogle puts another one on the board just to show Alex how insignificant his efforts are, leaving the third period for the solitary goal of Cory Cooper (Levesque gets an assist), the Hitmen ride their five goal lead in for an easy win.
Privateers (4-4-0) 5
Whalers (0-7-1) 1
These Privateers are certainly putting up some big numbers, the only question now is: Have they reclaimed their previous form or is this just a product of their schedule? I think that technically qualifies as one question. . . The scoring opens with the all-seeing Cody Payne, putting the 'Teers on the board. The storm builds in the second. Joel Bush scores on the power play, meaning he can keep his cool for the remainder of the game, or maybe not. Bush goes to the box for a roughing minor, but team mate Kevin McGlaun scores the shorty and the Whaler power play cannot penetrate the active neutral zone. In the third, McGlaun scores again, making a healthy 4-0 lead. Much later, Joel Bush gets his second leaving just over two minutes on the clock. Would Ryan Haley-Willhoite get the shut-out? The signs looked good, the Hamster was MIA, what threat could the Whalers pose? With only one second left on the clock, Joshua Monaco of the Whalers beats Ryan on the four on three power play. McGlaun and Steve Haley owe her a pitcher.
Stickmen (6-3-0) 1
Ice Holes (8-1-0) 4
The Holes dominate in time on the attack, and the goals come easy. In the first shift the Sticks looked, to me at least, to have the upper hand. Jones did not look strong in the Icehole net and the Stickmen were moving easily through the Holey defenses, even after the first Icehole goal (Gino Ropos), I thought it was only a matter of time before the Sticks made a first round upset. I couldn't have been more wrong. The first period was huge for the Holes (historically, not their best period), in addition to Gino's goal, Joe Picardo forgets to pass and skates in to the right post scoring from a crazy angle (keeping-up the first half of his promises to his progeny). Then Brian Harbison puts the Holes up by three and Greg Durante ends the offensive output for the night in the final second of the first period. The Holes fall back into their now clicking defense and shut-down most of the scoring chances of the Stickmen, limiting them to ten shots on the night, but Jayson Jones falls victim to the shut-out gods, giving up the sole goal to big mouth Stickmen, Jesse "Lunchbox" Henderson. No worries, this dress rehearsal for next week's game was always in the Icehole's back pocket. Joe needs to score that other goal for the other kid, maybe next week.
Silverwings (4-4-1) 0
Puckers (4-4-0) 1
Lots of drama in this game and none of it related to Ginger. Both goalies are spotlighted as no one from either team can find the twine for more than twenty minutes. Spivey in the Silverwing net makes 19 saves against an usually strong offensive effort for the Puckers. At the other end, "I'm no Saint" Patrick Donaghue faces a mere FORTY ONE shots, frustrating the Silverwings and their talented forwards. Deep in the third, as both Goalies feel the tension hanging on their foreheads in heavy drops of sweat, Donaghue finally feels the support of his beloved Assclowns. . . with less than two minutes left in the game Chris Kirton beats Eric's Spivey senses for the Pucker lead. Of course the game was far from over, Donaghue finishes the game making another save at the buzzer. After a game of being swarmed by the dark jerseys of the Wings, he is flooded by the Pucker red sea, smiles all around.
Brewzers (5-4-0) 0
Blue Devils (8-0-1) 5
The Devils called-up all of their reserves, determined to prove the Brewzer's critics right. Were they only pretenders? The score seems to bear it out, believe me I was rooting for the Brewzer maroon. The Brewzers had what would normally be a long roster, but after an impressive first period performance, the tank was quickly drying up. The Devils finally beat Mike Moore and the Brewzers in the second with the play of Todd Smith. Less than a minute later Mike turns away a series of shots from the Devil rush, knocking the goal off in the process, it goes unnoticed and the shot of Matt Weinrich is counted incorrectly as a goal. With what would prove to be a colossal scoring clinic for the Devils, this may not have meant much, or it may have been the will breaker for the Brewzers, not just a goal in a long line of goals. In the third, the scoring continued, Curtis Zoll, Todd Smith, and finally Aaron Hawley. A five nothing reaming of the Brewzers is certainly a good opening round for the Blue Devils, but the Holes are no strangers to play-off hockey. Blubaugh and the Devils get a shut-out, despite being out shot nineteen to fifteen.
Komets (5-2-1) 5
Grave Diggers (3-4-2) 0
On the other rink the Komets dog pile the Diggers ending in the same score, but a different type of game. It was destined to be an unusual night, with the full moon and all. Hyper-active imp, Scottie Baldree opens the scoring, beating Ellis to the rebound, backside. Then it was the shot heard round the world when Ryan Smith beats Ellis' glove from the high slot, what a jerk. In the second Ellis sticks it to the Komets, finding a way to flop his body in front of every shot except the one that rings-off the post, which isn't even a shot actually, so there! But, in the third the Komets come back with a vengeance. Wil Dobson revels in his own glory, pirouette-ing all the way back to center ice. Rich Duval, collects a rare goal on a friendly deflection. Jason Neal pops one up off of Ellis' stick which falls back down the twenty feet onto the back of Ellis' arm for the final goal of the night. Brent Bryant makes a mockery of the Diggers for twenty two minutes saving all twenty three shots at his end for the big Komet win. Screw all of ya'!
Moose (0-7-0) 0
Chiefs (4-3-1) 0
Sources say Stone Cold's advanced communications classes are going well. So long Moose, I feel like I never really got to know you.
See you all next week for the "Big One"
Speaking of the last game on the green rink, the schedule showed one more after the Blue Devils ran the table but for some reason the Moose didn't show. The Chiefs made the most of it with a much needed practice, even a little on-ice support meeting for Stone Cold.
Next week's crowning of the I-league champion should be yet another fun event for all in attendance. Plenty of mock NHL accouterments, sub-par food, and as always a patented I-league brand of competition as the focal point. Two great teams, a rematch of last session's championship game, maybe this time the Holes will score a few goals, they seem primed for some offense. My prediction: Holes win in the third after trailing two to nothing for most of the game. Final score Iceholes 5, Blue Devils 4, I sure hope so, last session's 2-0 shut-out wasn't exactly the most exciting game to grace our edifice. For some reason defensive, patient, conservative hockey and I-league level play just aren't much of a combination.
Good luck to those with something to play for, I was robbed!
Here's how it went down, more or less. . .
Patriots (6-3-0) 4
DFW Titans (4-3-2) 3
The first period had no scoring but lots of shots, mostly on one side of the rink. It looked like the winner would be the team that scored first and in the second, after twenty one attempts at the net, that honor finally falls to Titan "Hot Rod" Lincoln Foster. But, not so fast, the Pats won't hang their head, just a few seconds into the third, Les York pops one by James Barber. A couple of minutes later the Patriots take control of the game when Steve Benefield streaks in from the point to score a power play goal. Which primed the Titans for another momentum switch, Justin Mason evens the score on the backhand. With the score tied, Roy Haenselmann is sent to the box putting the potent Titans power play on the job, but Les York bails-out his father-in-law with a quick shorty, and the lead. But before the penalty can end his daughter screens Ellis who gives up the lead to Mason. Only a minute left in regulation, not enough. Five minutes of OT, not enough. Two benches full of shooters, not enough. It takes until the second rolling through the roster before Les York finally gets the winner. I don't know if that's an official hat trick, but it was exciting for sure. Too, bad it was at 5:30, and no one else saw the game.
Snipers (3-6-0) 1
Hitmen I (5-4-1) 6
The Hitmen show-up big, Levesque virtually absent from the box score, how can this be? Levesque's line mate, Gabriel Rivera comes up with the first goal of the game and Cliff Bogle adds to the Hitmen's lead before the first period ends. Wil Dobson (now officially a hockey whore) scores on the first shift and Rivera claims the fourth Hitmen goal shortly after. But David Jackson loses his bid at a shut-out (his first?), at the hands of Alex "not Steve" Eysermans. Bogle puts another one on the board just to show Alex how insignificant his efforts are, leaving the third period for the solitary goal of Cory Cooper (Levesque gets an assist), the Hitmen ride their five goal lead in for an easy win.
Privateers (4-4-0) 5
Whalers (0-7-1) 1
These Privateers are certainly putting up some big numbers, the only question now is: Have they reclaimed their previous form or is this just a product of their schedule? I think that technically qualifies as one question. . . The scoring opens with the all-seeing Cody Payne, putting the 'Teers on the board. The storm builds in the second. Joel Bush scores on the power play, meaning he can keep his cool for the remainder of the game, or maybe not. Bush goes to the box for a roughing minor, but team mate Kevin McGlaun scores the shorty and the Whaler power play cannot penetrate the active neutral zone. In the third, McGlaun scores again, making a healthy 4-0 lead. Much later, Joel Bush gets his second leaving just over two minutes on the clock. Would Ryan Haley-Willhoite get the shut-out? The signs looked good, the Hamster was MIA, what threat could the Whalers pose? With only one second left on the clock, Joshua Monaco of the Whalers beats Ryan on the four on three power play. McGlaun and Steve Haley owe her a pitcher.
Stickmen (6-3-0) 1
Ice Holes (8-1-0) 4
The Holes dominate in time on the attack, and the goals come easy. In the first shift the Sticks looked, to me at least, to have the upper hand. Jones did not look strong in the Icehole net and the Stickmen were moving easily through the Holey defenses, even after the first Icehole goal (Gino Ropos), I thought it was only a matter of time before the Sticks made a first round upset. I couldn't have been more wrong. The first period was huge for the Holes (historically, not their best period), in addition to Gino's goal, Joe Picardo forgets to pass and skates in to the right post scoring from a crazy angle (keeping-up the first half of his promises to his progeny). Then Brian Harbison puts the Holes up by three and Greg Durante ends the offensive output for the night in the final second of the first period. The Holes fall back into their now clicking defense and shut-down most of the scoring chances of the Stickmen, limiting them to ten shots on the night, but Jayson Jones falls victim to the shut-out gods, giving up the sole goal to big mouth Stickmen, Jesse "Lunchbox" Henderson. No worries, this dress rehearsal for next week's game was always in the Icehole's back pocket. Joe needs to score that other goal for the other kid, maybe next week.
Silverwings (4-4-1) 0
Puckers (4-4-0) 1
Lots of drama in this game and none of it related to Ginger. Both goalies are spotlighted as no one from either team can find the twine for more than twenty minutes. Spivey in the Silverwing net makes 19 saves against an usually strong offensive effort for the Puckers. At the other end, "I'm no Saint" Patrick Donaghue faces a mere FORTY ONE shots, frustrating the Silverwings and their talented forwards. Deep in the third, as both Goalies feel the tension hanging on their foreheads in heavy drops of sweat, Donaghue finally feels the support of his beloved Assclowns. . . with less than two minutes left in the game Chris Kirton beats Eric's Spivey senses for the Pucker lead. Of course the game was far from over, Donaghue finishes the game making another save at the buzzer. After a game of being swarmed by the dark jerseys of the Wings, he is flooded by the Pucker red sea, smiles all around.
Brewzers (5-4-0) 0
Blue Devils (8-0-1) 5
The Devils called-up all of their reserves, determined to prove the Brewzer's critics right. Were they only pretenders? The score seems to bear it out, believe me I was rooting for the Brewzer maroon. The Brewzers had what would normally be a long roster, but after an impressive first period performance, the tank was quickly drying up. The Devils finally beat Mike Moore and the Brewzers in the second with the play of Todd Smith. Less than a minute later Mike turns away a series of shots from the Devil rush, knocking the goal off in the process, it goes unnoticed and the shot of Matt Weinrich is counted incorrectly as a goal. With what would prove to be a colossal scoring clinic for the Devils, this may not have meant much, or it may have been the will breaker for the Brewzers, not just a goal in a long line of goals. In the third, the scoring continued, Curtis Zoll, Todd Smith, and finally Aaron Hawley. A five nothing reaming of the Brewzers is certainly a good opening round for the Blue Devils, but the Holes are no strangers to play-off hockey. Blubaugh and the Devils get a shut-out, despite being out shot nineteen to fifteen.
Komets (5-2-1) 5
Grave Diggers (3-4-2) 0
On the other rink the Komets dog pile the Diggers ending in the same score, but a different type of game. It was destined to be an unusual night, with the full moon and all. Hyper-active imp, Scottie Baldree opens the scoring, beating Ellis to the rebound, backside. Then it was the shot heard round the world when Ryan Smith beats Ellis' glove from the high slot, what a jerk. In the second Ellis sticks it to the Komets, finding a way to flop his body in front of every shot except the one that rings-off the post, which isn't even a shot actually, so there! But, in the third the Komets come back with a vengeance. Wil Dobson revels in his own glory, pirouette-ing all the way back to center ice. Rich Duval, collects a rare goal on a friendly deflection. Jason Neal pops one up off of Ellis' stick which falls back down the twenty feet onto the back of Ellis' arm for the final goal of the night. Brent Bryant makes a mockery of the Diggers for twenty two minutes saving all twenty three shots at his end for the big Komet win. Screw all of ya'!
Moose (0-7-0) 0
Chiefs (4-3-1) 0
Sources say Stone Cold's advanced communications classes are going well. So long Moose, I feel like I never really got to know you.
See you all next week for the "Big One"
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
FREE FREE FREE
Here's an opportunity for free stuff. NYTEX is having its second equipment swap. Last year, I took some sticks I didn't like, and I swapped them for some pants I did like, and a couple sticks to boot.
Check this out: You won't be disappointed.
Here's what Knute sent me:
"Sat. and Sun., Sept 20th and 21st, we will be holding our second annual Skate and Equipment Swap at NYTEX Sports Centre. We will start at 10 a.m. and go to 5 p.m. each day.
"All equipment is free and you do not have to donate gear to pick up gear. Please pass this along to folks that you know in the hockey community and let us make this as successful as last year's event."
For a map to NYTEX, click here.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Damn You, Pointstink!
First:
Our rink is still plagued by the infidels. The locker rooms of the Patriots and the Hitmen were both assaulted by some punk, making-off with all the cash in both rooms. Rumors are out their that someone on staff at the rink is responsible, but this is highly unlikely as keys to the locker rooms are only given to managers. So be sure and lock your locker room (LOCKer room, hmm. . .) before you hit the ice (make sure to get the key from the bench before the refs issue you a game misconduct, it looks really silly when you have to come back to the glass) or carry your valuables to the bench with you. I never take my wallet with all of my vital, sensitive information, cards, pins, account numbers, birthdates, etc. . . from my car, it's the teal accord four door ('05) with rims, lic. # "5-hole". Any way, point is you have the power. And, here's something that has been issued before that I intend to start doing, ask the people that you don't recognize what they're doing, who are they here with, ya' know? If they don't have a good answer then show them the door, politely. If they belong here (maybe they're rooting for the Puckers or they're last name is Haley, who knows) then you could make a new friend, :).
In lighter news:
The league has been turned on its ear. Yockey erases all traces of the Moose from the public record, and grows a giant Stalin-esque mustache, leaving everyone to question what their record actually means for the Keg, and would the metaphor have worked better with a Mao-esque chili bowl hair cut?
The Puckers Lose their last game in a real heart breaker with a score of something to something less, well, a heartbreaker for all those guys fantisizing about me in a pair of embroidered Panties and a big pair of pom-poms.
Blubaugh and Sirkis serve their suspensions, but Val skates? The commentors jump to the bottom of the page.
And, just like that the regular season is over leaving the foggy world of play-off scheduling dead ahead. Avast, me hearties! Oh, that's right, no Privateers!
Ice Holes (8-1-0) 6
DFW Titans (4-3-1) 5
The only game that has made it on to Pointstreak started off in what we used to think of as the Icehole way, methodical defense, patient offense yielding only one goal half way through the first period to Hole Gino Ropos, then a counter punch from the Titan's Michael Kirkland. Normally that's when the clamps would go down until the third, but not tonight. The second built on the momentum, a Titan goal early on from Mac Miller, then one late to Justin Mason. Brian Preusser closes the second with a goal for the Holes, to keep hope alive. The Holes strike early in the third with two goals, Preusser and Ropos to take the lead, then lose it to Titan stand-by Kirkland. The Holes wrestle it back with another goal by Brian Harbison only to lose it again in the last minute to Icehole Tim Marra. No one makes a dent in the OT period and after just three shooters, Jayson Jones weathers yet another shoot-out. These Iceholes are starting to look more like the eightie's Oilers than the ninetie's Stars, the Oilers won more cups, so who can argue with that?
Puckers (3-4-0) - L
Chiefs (3-3-1) - W
Jeez, I can't remember this score, but I know that the Chiefs pulled it out (was it a stacked roster? Were the Puckers just to short on theirs?) securing my dignity for one more week, if that's possible. Neither team was playing for the post season, meaning this one was all about pride. You tell me how to interpret that.
Whalers (0-6-1) - L
Moose (0-8-0) - W?
The Whalers strapped their wagon to the Hamster but tonight's incarnation of the Moose is in penetrable. They finish the night scoreless, the season winless. The Moose for their part scored enough to win leaving their record at an impressive 0-8. It must be that new math.
Brewzers (4-3-0) - W
Silverwings (4-2-1) - L
The Silverwings needed to win to lock in for the Keg picture, but the Brewzers needed one to avoid mathematical elimination, Yockey assures both of not knowing where they stand. The Brewzers win, but what's it worth.
Blue Devils (6-0-1) - W
Grave Diggers (3-3-1) - L
The Diggers nearly pull-off the upset to end all upsets, losing the lead with only 2.5 seconds left in the third, losing the game in overtime. The Devils were shut-out for most of the game, but find their veteran gumption (love that word) just in time.
Stickmen (6-1-0) - W
Snipers (3-4-0) - L
Steven McCollister and the Sticks nearly give this one away. The Snipers score with a minute and a half left in the game, and capture the momentum to carry them almost to a tieing tally. With a whistle at the end of the chaos in front of McCollister, the Sticks count their lucky Dallas Stars and escape with the win.
Komets (4-2-1) - L
Privateers (3-4-0) - W
The Komet dream season ends in 'Teers! Well, not really, they still have a good enough record to fall into the muddle of four win teams, waiting for the word from Yockey. But, they certainly are left with a bad taste in their mouth, the Privateers swab the decks with 'em, returning to the highscoring juggernaut that they used to be. Just like Duncanville!
Hitmen I (3-4-0) - L
Patriots (4-3-0) - W
The Pats ran the table, despite being outshot, they held a healthy lead until the third. The Hitmen's shots finally started falling, leading to a tie. Several dramatic goal line stands eventually spring the Pats to a late drive, culminating in a goal with less than eight seconds on the clock. The Hitmen cannot make the ride.
Where do we go from here, Only a Vulcan mind meld could reveal the inner workings of Tom Yockey's grand plan. I'm just sitting, waiting, wishing . . .
Our rink is still plagued by the infidels. The locker rooms of the Patriots and the Hitmen were both assaulted by some punk, making-off with all the cash in both rooms. Rumors are out their that someone on staff at the rink is responsible, but this is highly unlikely as keys to the locker rooms are only given to managers. So be sure and lock your locker room (LOCKer room, hmm. . .) before you hit the ice (make sure to get the key from the bench before the refs issue you a game misconduct, it looks really silly when you have to come back to the glass) or carry your valuables to the bench with you. I never take my wallet with all of my vital, sensitive information, cards, pins, account numbers, birthdates, etc. . . from my car, it's the teal accord four door ('05) with rims, lic. # "5-hole". Any way, point is you have the power. And, here's something that has been issued before that I intend to start doing, ask the people that you don't recognize what they're doing, who are they here with, ya' know? If they don't have a good answer then show them the door, politely. If they belong here (maybe they're rooting for the Puckers or they're last name is Haley, who knows) then you could make a new friend, :).
In lighter news:
The league has been turned on its ear. Yockey erases all traces of the Moose from the public record, and grows a giant Stalin-esque mustache, leaving everyone to question what their record actually means for the Keg, and would the metaphor have worked better with a Mao-esque chili bowl hair cut?
The Puckers Lose their last game in a real heart breaker with a score of something to something less, well, a heartbreaker for all those guys fantisizing about me in a pair of embroidered Panties and a big pair of pom-poms.
Blubaugh and Sirkis serve their suspensions, but Val skates? The commentors jump to the bottom of the page.
And, just like that the regular season is over leaving the foggy world of play-off scheduling dead ahead. Avast, me hearties! Oh, that's right, no Privateers!
Ice Holes (8-1-0) 6
DFW Titans (4-3-1) 5
The only game that has made it on to Pointstreak started off in what we used to think of as the Icehole way, methodical defense, patient offense yielding only one goal half way through the first period to Hole Gino Ropos, then a counter punch from the Titan's Michael Kirkland. Normally that's when the clamps would go down until the third, but not tonight. The second built on the momentum, a Titan goal early on from Mac Miller, then one late to Justin Mason. Brian Preusser closes the second with a goal for the Holes, to keep hope alive. The Holes strike early in the third with two goals, Preusser and Ropos to take the lead, then lose it to Titan stand-by Kirkland. The Holes wrestle it back with another goal by Brian Harbison only to lose it again in the last minute to Icehole Tim Marra. No one makes a dent in the OT period and after just three shooters, Jayson Jones weathers yet another shoot-out. These Iceholes are starting to look more like the eightie's Oilers than the ninetie's Stars, the Oilers won more cups, so who can argue with that?
Puckers (3-4-0) - L
Chiefs (3-3-1) - W
Jeez, I can't remember this score, but I know that the Chiefs pulled it out (was it a stacked roster? Were the Puckers just to short on theirs?) securing my dignity for one more week, if that's possible. Neither team was playing for the post season, meaning this one was all about pride. You tell me how to interpret that.
Whalers (0-6-1) - L
Moose (0-8-0) - W?
The Whalers strapped their wagon to the Hamster but tonight's incarnation of the Moose is in penetrable. They finish the night scoreless, the season winless. The Moose for their part scored enough to win leaving their record at an impressive 0-8. It must be that new math.
Brewzers (4-3-0) - W
Silverwings (4-2-1) - L
The Silverwings needed to win to lock in for the Keg picture, but the Brewzers needed one to avoid mathematical elimination, Yockey assures both of not knowing where they stand. The Brewzers win, but what's it worth.
Blue Devils (6-0-1) - W
Grave Diggers (3-3-1) - L
The Diggers nearly pull-off the upset to end all upsets, losing the lead with only 2.5 seconds left in the third, losing the game in overtime. The Devils were shut-out for most of the game, but find their veteran gumption (love that word) just in time.
Stickmen (6-1-0) - W
Snipers (3-4-0) - L
Steven McCollister and the Sticks nearly give this one away. The Snipers score with a minute and a half left in the game, and capture the momentum to carry them almost to a tieing tally. With a whistle at the end of the chaos in front of McCollister, the Sticks count their lucky Dallas Stars and escape with the win.
Komets (4-2-1) - L
Privateers (3-4-0) - W
The Komet dream season ends in 'Teers! Well, not really, they still have a good enough record to fall into the muddle of four win teams, waiting for the word from Yockey. But, they certainly are left with a bad taste in their mouth, the Privateers swab the decks with 'em, returning to the highscoring juggernaut that they used to be. Just like Duncanville!
Hitmen I (3-4-0) - L
Patriots (4-3-0) - W
The Pats ran the table, despite being outshot, they held a healthy lead until the third. The Hitmen's shots finally started falling, leading to a tie. Several dramatic goal line stands eventually spring the Pats to a late drive, culminating in a goal with less than eight seconds on the clock. The Hitmen cannot make the ride.
Where do we go from here, Only a Vulcan mind meld could reveal the inner workings of Tom Yockey's grand plan. I'm just sitting, waiting, wishing . . .
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Stir it Up!
Things are getting crazy in the closing weeks: dark horses, upsets, jousting matches, just how will it all end? Probably with me in a skirt . . .
Silverwings (3-3-1) 3
DFW Titans (4-3-0) 0
Sergio Castillo avoids the scapegoat role despite leaving the ice early on a hooking call, the remainder of the Silverwings band together to kill the penalty and preserve the nil-nil tie. In the second their patience pays off when Jason Neal puts the Wings on top on the pass from Corey Howard, just a minute and a half into the game. The Titans match the Wings nearly shot for shot but cannot penetrate Spivey's masterful play, leaving the third open for Castillo to complete his turn around on the night with two goals, the first on the power play. With Sergio finding his rhythmn at the end of the season, the Wings may run the table from here in, only with a lot of help from other clubs will they be able to make a run for greatness. The Titnas an the other hand, are petering off, and could play themselves out of the top four if they are not careful. Spivey holds up a shut-out against the Titan's 34 shots!
Hitmen I (3-4-0) 9
Ice Holes (6-1-0) 2
Talk about peaking at the right time, Catherine Levesque of the Hitmen I had a couple of big games last week, this week she scores four Hitmen goals and two assists . . . at this pace no one stands a chance against the Hitmen. The Holes fall victim to Gallagher's devious plan, exposing their shortcomings, I didn't know they had any. The Hitmen watched the gmae develop for half of the first period, then they poured it on. Goals rained down on Jayson Jones from Gabriel Rivera, followed by Becky Bogle, then Kyle Haman, then Levesque. In the second the HOles entered the eye of the storm and utilized the calm to score two of their own to Andrea Cortinas first, then Mark Johnson. Just like the back side of the Hitmen's hurricane blew in with another goal from Levesque. The third period was all Hitmen as Jones was buffeted about the crease, the pucks rained down. Levesque got her hat trick, Haman got his second, then Levesque got the quad, and to bring it back around, Rivera scores another goal. The Iceholes take a loss in dramatic fashion, will their veteran roster pull it back together in time for the play-offs? The Hitmen will have another opportunity to work in the spoiler role against the Patriots who are clinging to the edge of the bubble right now. David Jackson (if it was him in net) allows only two goals on 37 shots!
Privateers (3-4-0) 2
Brewzers (4-3-0) 3
The 'Teers are really hurting these days, these are days you'll remember, never before and never since will the whole world be warm as this, I promise, and as you feel it you'll know it. If you were complaining last session about the play of this team I hope you're enjoying this ('cause it may not last much longer). They start off almost immediately behind when David Counch socres for the Brewzers just 36 seconds into the game. Brit Broostrom lights the lamp for the first time in a long time to finish the first period's scoring. The rowdy Privateers make a go at it when the stupendous Cody Payne manages to squeeze one past Mike Moore in the second. But in the third Jamil Al Jabri punches it past the Privateer netminder to cancel Payne's effect. In the final minute of the gmae Joel Bush grits his teeth and finally cmoes up with a goal, after meeting two and three Brewzers at the blueline all night, unfortunately the heartbreak falls hardest on Ryan Haley, er Ahlstedt? No . . . Willhoite? Is it Swartzbaugh? I can't remember, the point is, she married somebody on the team and she is really down in the dumps. Maybe their's still time for an annulment? The Brewzers are looking like the dark horse for the Keg.
Puckers (3-4-0) 5
Whalers (0-6-1) 2
Well, it looks like I am one win away from my cheerleading debut, the onnly team that can prevent me from making a fool of my self is the Chiefs . . . Ah, geez! Who am I kidding, I could make a fool out of myself without any help from the Puckers, all the same, if they win one more you might want to bring your cameras. The Puckers strike first at my embroidered arse, with a goal from Rick Gregory on the first shift, but Bryan Hamstra fires one right back in my honor to level the field. The Puckers win the periodWhen Jon Padilla scores off the Casey Jenkins feed, woah, Casey Jenkins? Why does he have such an interest in seeing me cross-dressing? The Puckers run the middle frame with goals from both Davids: Mr. Opalecky first, then Mr. Jmaes. In the third the Hamstra scores again for the rookie Whalers, but it doesn't scare the Puckers, they quench the fire intheir bellies with their fifth goal of the night (a Pucker record?) off the stick of Opalecky shorthanded into an emptynet. It was a relatively pedestrian night for Donaghue who only has to save 21 shots, facing 23.
Grave Diggers (3-3-1) 3
Snipers (3-4-0) 1
The Diggers approach the elusive .500 for the season with a decisive victory over the Snipers. Always entertaining when Ellis and the Snipers meet, the Snipers have to hear it from Ellis when Steve Smith gets the only goal of the first period, putting the Diggers up in shots and goals. In the secondJamil Al Jabri puts it right back in Ellis' face with a shot that bounces off the goal stick and flutters past his swiping glove into the net for the Sniper goal. But the Snipers are silenced when Randy Chappel puts the Diggers back on top before the period ends. Just for affect, Bob Barr charges into the crease and scores his second career goal, standing on the Sniper's throat(s?), that makes two goals in two games, where I come from, that's a streak, maybe he picked up Gloria's mojo. Jen Leonard must be kicking herself today as the tieing goal was on her stick but she fails to lift it over the sprawling body of Jon Ellis, Oh Yeah! The Digers have big hill to climb with the goal of .500, they face the Blue Devils next week, do I smell an upset?
Blue Devils (6-0-1) 1
Chiefs (3-3-1) 2
Speaking of those Blue Devils, their first loss comes at the hands of the Chiefs (maybe these guys can dliver me from my Pucker fate), it was a gritty game that ends with 33 minutes of penalties (incredibly, not the high for the night), but it started slow. The first two periods pass with power plays for each of the teams in each of the periods, but none accunulating any goals. Eventually the third period delivers some offense, when the Blue Devils go on the power play this time Ray Workman scores, only to see it erased by Lee Morgan, who score on the power play also, with less than two minutes left in regulation. The confident Devils play responsibly, saving their energy for OT, and the impemding shoot-out. But it was not to be, of all things the goalies give the game away, Jim DeBaro, sometimes Blue Devil tender, makes the critical, and unadvised, OT penalty that puts the Chiefs up a man, and when David Blubaugh succumbs to Mark Millards shot, David blows-up, collecting 15 minutes of penalties after the horn. I hope for his sake their are no consequences in the next game. For me, I hope the Diggers will be blessed with an easy win.
Patriots (4-3-0) 2
Komets (4-2-1) 1
What a nailbiter this one was! Coach Al was seen pulling out his hair as possibly the best Komet's season of all time hits a bump in the road. The Komets try to shut Ellis up but it's the Pats who find the back of the net first on Jeff Eagle's shot. In the second 'Ol Roy Haenselmann, constantly hovering around the crease, makes use of his quick stick to beat the Komet tender with the back door goal. With a renewed zeal the Komets fire even more pucks at the net, but come away with nothing but a sickening smirk from Ellis in the second period. More of the same in the third, The shots continue to pile-up but still no goals, until finally with nearly two and a half minutes left in the game, Albert Lacaze, waiting on the left post beats the lateral movement of Ellis, tipping the puck onto it's side to squeeze it past the post and deatroy the shut-out. The Komets eventually pull their goaltneder for the extra attacker, and then in a terrible coaching blunder, get called for too many men, negating the advantage. Undaunted the Komets left on the ice continue pounding the puck, until the game tieing goal laid in front of Scotty Baldree, Ellis having already made the first save, thorws the paddle infront of the shot, and barely saves the Pat's season. Baldree could have used that extra man, as the rebound bounced out into the open ice to his left. Time for a coaching change? Ellis saves 35 of 36 shots.
Stickmen (5-2-0) 5
Moose (2-5-0) 0
In the battle to end all, this game was like WWF. The scoring was really secondary to this game, which works out well since it all falls to two players: Peter Sjolin and Steph Trapp. It was the play of Sjolin (hat trick) that set-off one aspect of the drama, finding himself on the receiving end of all sorts of Blue Devil, I mean Moose, resistance, some of which culminated in Stickmen power plays. And, the fifth goal of the night was scored on a prone Blubaugh who refused to reutrn to his feet after the fourth goal. The most intrigueing aspect of the game is no doubt the fiasco betwixt Robert Sirkus and Val Kuntz. The greater number of penalty minutes fall to Val because of the retalitory nature of her actions: Val Kuntz - (Charging Major), 5 min , 5:06 - Val Kuntz - (Charging Game Misconduct), 10 min , 5:06. But, by all accounts (even Bob's) the whole incident is the fault of Robert Sirkus. Robert talked with me today and also sent me an E-mail.
The play of Robert Sirkus has been under a microscope for many people throughout our little league, and I have been one of those people who watches his actions fairly intently. Whether you approve or disapprove of his physical play, Bob has a protocol that he stives to hold himself to concerning receiving and dealing hits. He and I disagree quite frequently about these plays, but over the last couple of sessions I have been impressed by his new direction, trying to avoid penalties altogether. It hasn't always worked out, he still gets penalties (some good, some bad (if you classify)), but he tkaes great pride in returning to the locker room with a clean slate.
Having said all that, what happened with Val was inexcusable, and he knows that. He has offered apologies to Tom Yockey, the League, the Sticks, and especially Val herself. All of these are being delivered by me directly from him in this forum or by phone and personal E-mails. I don't expect everyone to immediately accept this apology and certainly don't want to deny anyone their feelings for being wronged, but Bob has taken a bold step that I commend him for.
Bob has sent a message to Yockey to let him know that whatever the league may decide to do regarding his actions, he has issued himself a suspension for the remainder of the session. From his E-mail to me: "The bottom line is, I expect others to be held to a standard, I should be held to the same standard." Bob is ashamed of how he represented himself on the ice, and is trying to rectify this problem with himself and everyone that he will play with in the future, too.
The good news is that as far as I know no one has any lasting injuries from this incident. Bob will not be at the rink for a while and I hope that everyone else will show the same sort of respect and allow a cooling off period before firing-off an ill-advised comment here.
We're all here to have fun and get a little exercise. So get out there and do your part. And, as Red Green says, "Keep your stick on the ice".
Spell check is failing me, and time is running out. Hope I didn't do too bad.
Silverwings (3-3-1) 3
DFW Titans (4-3-0) 0
Sergio Castillo avoids the scapegoat role despite leaving the ice early on a hooking call, the remainder of the Silverwings band together to kill the penalty and preserve the nil-nil tie. In the second their patience pays off when Jason Neal puts the Wings on top on the pass from Corey Howard, just a minute and a half into the game. The Titans match the Wings nearly shot for shot but cannot penetrate Spivey's masterful play, leaving the third open for Castillo to complete his turn around on the night with two goals, the first on the power play. With Sergio finding his rhythmn at the end of the season, the Wings may run the table from here in, only with a lot of help from other clubs will they be able to make a run for greatness. The Titnas an the other hand, are petering off, and could play themselves out of the top four if they are not careful. Spivey holds up a shut-out against the Titan's 34 shots!
Hitmen I (3-4-0) 9
Ice Holes (6-1-0) 2
Talk about peaking at the right time, Catherine Levesque of the Hitmen I had a couple of big games last week, this week she scores four Hitmen goals and two assists . . . at this pace no one stands a chance against the Hitmen. The Holes fall victim to Gallagher's devious plan, exposing their shortcomings, I didn't know they had any. The Hitmen watched the gmae develop for half of the first period, then they poured it on. Goals rained down on Jayson Jones from Gabriel Rivera, followed by Becky Bogle, then Kyle Haman, then Levesque. In the second the HOles entered the eye of the storm and utilized the calm to score two of their own to Andrea Cortinas first, then Mark Johnson. Just like the back side of the Hitmen's hurricane blew in with another goal from Levesque. The third period was all Hitmen as Jones was buffeted about the crease, the pucks rained down. Levesque got her hat trick, Haman got his second, then Levesque got the quad, and to bring it back around, Rivera scores another goal. The Iceholes take a loss in dramatic fashion, will their veteran roster pull it back together in time for the play-offs? The Hitmen will have another opportunity to work in the spoiler role against the Patriots who are clinging to the edge of the bubble right now. David Jackson (if it was him in net) allows only two goals on 37 shots!
Privateers (3-4-0) 2
Brewzers (4-3-0) 3
The 'Teers are really hurting these days, these are days you'll remember, never before and never since will the whole world be warm as this, I promise, and as you feel it you'll know it. If you were complaining last session about the play of this team I hope you're enjoying this ('cause it may not last much longer). They start off almost immediately behind when David Counch socres for the Brewzers just 36 seconds into the game. Brit Broostrom lights the lamp for the first time in a long time to finish the first period's scoring. The rowdy Privateers make a go at it when the stupendous Cody Payne manages to squeeze one past Mike Moore in the second. But in the third Jamil Al Jabri punches it past the Privateer netminder to cancel Payne's effect. In the final minute of the gmae Joel Bush grits his teeth and finally cmoes up with a goal, after meeting two and three Brewzers at the blueline all night, unfortunately the heartbreak falls hardest on Ryan Haley, er Ahlstedt? No . . . Willhoite? Is it Swartzbaugh? I can't remember, the point is, she married somebody on the team and she is really down in the dumps. Maybe their's still time for an annulment? The Brewzers are looking like the dark horse for the Keg.
Puckers (3-4-0) 5
Whalers (0-6-1) 2
Well, it looks like I am one win away from my cheerleading debut, the onnly team that can prevent me from making a fool of my self is the Chiefs . . . Ah, geez! Who am I kidding, I could make a fool out of myself without any help from the Puckers, all the same, if they win one more you might want to bring your cameras. The Puckers strike first at my embroidered arse, with a goal from Rick Gregory on the first shift, but Bryan Hamstra fires one right back in my honor to level the field. The Puckers win the periodWhen Jon Padilla scores off the Casey Jenkins feed, woah, Casey Jenkins? Why does he have such an interest in seeing me cross-dressing? The Puckers run the middle frame with goals from both Davids: Mr. Opalecky first, then Mr. Jmaes. In the third the Hamstra scores again for the rookie Whalers, but it doesn't scare the Puckers, they quench the fire intheir bellies with their fifth goal of the night (a Pucker record?) off the stick of Opalecky shorthanded into an emptynet. It was a relatively pedestrian night for Donaghue who only has to save 21 shots, facing 23.
Grave Diggers (3-3-1) 3
Snipers (3-4-0) 1
The Diggers approach the elusive .500 for the season with a decisive victory over the Snipers. Always entertaining when Ellis and the Snipers meet, the Snipers have to hear it from Ellis when Steve Smith gets the only goal of the first period, putting the Diggers up in shots and goals. In the secondJamil Al Jabri puts it right back in Ellis' face with a shot that bounces off the goal stick and flutters past his swiping glove into the net for the Sniper goal. But the Snipers are silenced when Randy Chappel puts the Diggers back on top before the period ends. Just for affect, Bob Barr charges into the crease and scores his second career goal, standing on the Sniper's throat(s?), that makes two goals in two games, where I come from, that's a streak, maybe he picked up Gloria's mojo. Jen Leonard must be kicking herself today as the tieing goal was on her stick but she fails to lift it over the sprawling body of Jon Ellis, Oh Yeah! The Digers have big hill to climb with the goal of .500, they face the Blue Devils next week, do I smell an upset?
Blue Devils (6-0-1) 1
Chiefs (3-3-1) 2
Speaking of those Blue Devils, their first loss comes at the hands of the Chiefs (maybe these guys can dliver me from my Pucker fate), it was a gritty game that ends with 33 minutes of penalties (incredibly, not the high for the night), but it started slow. The first two periods pass with power plays for each of the teams in each of the periods, but none accunulating any goals. Eventually the third period delivers some offense, when the Blue Devils go on the power play this time Ray Workman scores, only to see it erased by Lee Morgan, who score on the power play also, with less than two minutes left in regulation. The confident Devils play responsibly, saving their energy for OT, and the impemding shoot-out. But it was not to be, of all things the goalies give the game away, Jim DeBaro, sometimes Blue Devil tender, makes the critical, and unadvised, OT penalty that puts the Chiefs up a man, and when David Blubaugh succumbs to Mark Millards shot, David blows-up, collecting 15 minutes of penalties after the horn. I hope for his sake their are no consequences in the next game. For me, I hope the Diggers will be blessed with an easy win.
Patriots (4-3-0) 2
Komets (4-2-1) 1
What a nailbiter this one was! Coach Al was seen pulling out his hair as possibly the best Komet's season of all time hits a bump in the road. The Komets try to shut Ellis up but it's the Pats who find the back of the net first on Jeff Eagle's shot. In the second 'Ol Roy Haenselmann, constantly hovering around the crease, makes use of his quick stick to beat the Komet tender with the back door goal. With a renewed zeal the Komets fire even more pucks at the net, but come away with nothing but a sickening smirk from Ellis in the second period. More of the same in the third, The shots continue to pile-up but still no goals, until finally with nearly two and a half minutes left in the game, Albert Lacaze, waiting on the left post beats the lateral movement of Ellis, tipping the puck onto it's side to squeeze it past the post and deatroy the shut-out. The Komets eventually pull their goaltneder for the extra attacker, and then in a terrible coaching blunder, get called for too many men, negating the advantage. Undaunted the Komets left on the ice continue pounding the puck, until the game tieing goal laid in front of Scotty Baldree, Ellis having already made the first save, thorws the paddle infront of the shot, and barely saves the Pat's season. Baldree could have used that extra man, as the rebound bounced out into the open ice to his left. Time for a coaching change? Ellis saves 35 of 36 shots.
Stickmen (5-2-0) 5
Moose (2-5-0) 0
In the battle to end all, this game was like WWF. The scoring was really secondary to this game, which works out well since it all falls to two players: Peter Sjolin and Steph Trapp. It was the play of Sjolin (hat trick) that set-off one aspect of the drama, finding himself on the receiving end of all sorts of Blue Devil, I mean Moose, resistance, some of which culminated in Stickmen power plays. And, the fifth goal of the night was scored on a prone Blubaugh who refused to reutrn to his feet after the fourth goal. The most intrigueing aspect of the game is no doubt the fiasco betwixt Robert Sirkus and Val Kuntz. The greater number of penalty minutes fall to Val because of the retalitory nature of her actions: Val Kuntz - (Charging Major), 5 min , 5:06 - Val Kuntz - (Charging Game Misconduct), 10 min , 5:06. But, by all accounts (even Bob's) the whole incident is the fault of Robert Sirkus. Robert talked with me today and also sent me an E-mail.
The play of Robert Sirkus has been under a microscope for many people throughout our little league, and I have been one of those people who watches his actions fairly intently. Whether you approve or disapprove of his physical play, Bob has a protocol that he stives to hold himself to concerning receiving and dealing hits. He and I disagree quite frequently about these plays, but over the last couple of sessions I have been impressed by his new direction, trying to avoid penalties altogether. It hasn't always worked out, he still gets penalties (some good, some bad (if you classify)), but he tkaes great pride in returning to the locker room with a clean slate.
Having said all that, what happened with Val was inexcusable, and he knows that. He has offered apologies to Tom Yockey, the League, the Sticks, and especially Val herself. All of these are being delivered by me directly from him in this forum or by phone and personal E-mails. I don't expect everyone to immediately accept this apology and certainly don't want to deny anyone their feelings for being wronged, but Bob has taken a bold step that I commend him for.
Bob has sent a message to Yockey to let him know that whatever the league may decide to do regarding his actions, he has issued himself a suspension for the remainder of the session. From his E-mail to me: "The bottom line is, I expect others to be held to a standard, I should be held to the same standard." Bob is ashamed of how he represented himself on the ice, and is trying to rectify this problem with himself and everyone that he will play with in the future, too.
The good news is that as far as I know no one has any lasting injuries from this incident. Bob will not be at the rink for a while and I hope that everyone else will show the same sort of respect and allow a cooling off period before firing-off an ill-advised comment here.
We're all here to have fun and get a little exercise. So get out there and do your part. And, as Red Green says, "Keep your stick on the ice".
Spell check is failing me, and time is running out. Hope I didn't do too bad.
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