MAJOR
Patriots (5-2-2) 4
Ice Bats (7-2-0) 3
The number one ranked team in the Majors looked to roll over the Pats on their way to the Keg, but the Patriots had a plan. Travis Lehr puts the Pats up first, Joel Blix ties it up. The Bats take the lead in the second, goals from David Tratham and Blix cancel out the early lead from Brad Allen's goal. The Pats regain the lead with Allen and Lehr again leaving a minute for the Bats to tie it-up. Did Danny's shot ring off both posts or the pad in the back of the net? The officials say no goal. The Patriots look forward to the match-up with former coach, Nate Hodges. Nate believes it is his destiny to play for the Keg every year. Perhaps, but he certainly hasn't won every year. . .
Brewzers (3-4-2) 4
DFW Titans (3-5-1) 3
Dead even in shots and goals after three periods, and an overtime, Josh Sutton proves to be the difference maker for the Brewzers. Not only did the controversial young player open the scoring for the game and then send it to overtime with a shorty, but he ends the fourteen player shoot-out. Titans lose despite goals from Tyler Klunder, Lincoln Foster, and Justin Mason. The Brewzers collect one goal from Matt Walker, in addition to the Sutton tallies.
Blue Devils (6-2-1) 6
Komets (5-3-1) 1
Oh the humanity! In what looked to be a tight match on paper the game falls apart almost immediately. The Blue Devils score two goals in the first: Charlie Heine, Danny Flinn. In the second, the Komets finally pierce the Devil front with Dustin Nation's goal making it two to one, no one believed it was close, despite the score. The Devils roar back with goals from Flinn, Billy Trull, Heine, and Scott Speelman. Was coach Al too concerned with the Cowboy's game? The Devils are dissecting the Patriot's game at this very moment.
Snipers (3-5-1) 2
Stickmen (4-4-1) 1
The Stickmen debut Jesse "Lunchbox" Henderson in net, the Snipers respond with a call to local celebrity Mike Moore. And, it's Moore who is exposed first when the Sticks take the early lead with Lynne Young's goal. But the Snipers regroup and limit the shots on net to ten, while firing back with a goal from Chris Davis. The Snipers get the win with a late third period goal from sometimes I-leaguer, Lee Miller.
minor
Puckers (6-3-0) 2
LSI (7-2-0) 0
The Puckers have made their climb from the I-league doldrums to the pinnacle of I-league (minor), with the second period goals of Rick Gregory and Jon Padilla, and the play of Turtle in the net, number one ranked LSI could find no path to the championship. Gabe Rivera and Katherine Levesque see their combined pointstreak, that lasted the entire session end in the first round. Is it for better or worse that the Puckers made their impact this session instead of last session, leaving me off the hook for cheerleading duty? Next up, the Whalers in the anti-Keg game.
Whalers (6-3-0) 2
Privateers (6-3-0) 1
The Whalers again triumph over the Privateers, due in large part to the play of Gregg Mata in net. The first period was the site for all of the Whaler's offense, a goal to Andy Thomas and then to Paul Thurston "Howell III" Mata turns away thirty Privateer shots, the lone goal against comes from Bob-O. You can't really call it a grand defensive effort, the play concentrated itself in the Whaler end, the Whalers only managed eight shots on net. What sort of drama and excitement awaits in the anti-Keg match-up of these two powerhouses?
Silverwings (2-6-1) 1
Grave Diggers (4-5-0) 5
In the first the Wings kept it close, Jason Neal's goal is sandwiched between the Digger's Billy Quinn and Randy Chappel. The Diggers make the most of the openings provided by the so-called Silverwing defense with three more goals: Bruce Davis, Bobby Sirkis, and Quinn again. Bobby's goal is met with a chorus of boos from the Wing bench, and taints the performance of the Diggers in the eyes of the media and the fans.
Team Euless (1-8-0) 1
Chiefs (4-5-0) 0
Euless finally gets a win. The score was actually seven or eight to one, all but one of those goals come on my watch. I gave-up a lot of chances to the Privateers and their personal vendetta against me, they made me pay. I still don't know the nature of the fights that caused the removal of four players from the rink. It was inspiring to watch the first pair of fighters leave the rink simultaneously (a mistake not repeated by the solitary ref), through the glass no one could hear what they were saying to each other, then you could feel the dread and helplessness of everyone on the rink watched them walk toward each other. . . they bumped knuckles and went to their respective lockers. The second fight did not offer any such redemptive conclusion.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Table is Set
The final week of the regular season is here and this is how it went.
minor
Team Euless (0-8-0) 2
LSI (7-1-0) 6
Team Euless completes the elusive perfect season, not exactly in the most enviable fashion. It started off with a hat trick in the first period to Gabe Rivera, of LSI. Euless collects a goal with the help of Rick Gregory in the second, and Gabe gets yet another goal a few seconds later. James Macha closes out the second with an LSI goal. In the third Macha tallies another one, late, and Mike Ginnard pads his stats with the final Team Euless goal of the regular season. Both of these teams may have proven that they don't belong in this league, LSI will almost certainly move on, Euless may face extinction. . . of course only to make room for some other hockey amalgam.
Silverwings (2-5-1) 2
Grave Diggers (3-5-0) 7
The Diggers once again finish strong, I doubt anyone seriously believes that this will translate into a winning record for next session, but it finally happened for the Puckers, so who knows. Brian Lochkos starts the ball rolling for the Diggers and the ailing Bryan Brookman evens the score with a shot heard round the world! Randy Chappel scores three consecutive goals for another first period hat trick on the gold rink. In the second Justin McCullough tries to build some Silverwing momentum, but the period is a wash when Bruce Davis makes his fourth goal of the session. Bob Sirkis returns to the open ice and scores a goal for the Diggers in the third, along with another goal from Chappel. Amazing, the Diggers finish in sixth out of eight teams, is that a historical high watermark?
Chiefs (4-4-0) 2
Puckers (5-3-0) 1
The mighty Puckers were looking to present a new face to the league, and started off with what looked to be a tone setting goal two minutes into the game from Chris Kirton. The Chiefs had nothing but pride on the line for this game, but that would prove to be a strong motivator, Bill Broad nets the equalizer in the middle of the period, and in the middle period Ryan Brett sinks the game winner. The Puckers raise questions about their viability in the post season when they cannot come up with the tying goal despite having four straight minutes of power play in the third.
Whalers (5-3-0) 0
Privateers (6-2-0) 2
The Whalers and Privateers end their seasons with a knock-down, drag-out, tooth-and-nail battle. The first period sees a penalty from both of the heart and soul players for these teams, Hamstra for the Whalers and Cody Payne for the 'Teers, but neither team can capitalize on the advantage. The second was a blood bath, twelve minutes worth of penalties but still no goals. In a game where shots were hard enough to come by, one goal would likely be all it would take, Jeremy Boyd finally perforates Mata in the Whaler goal, just two minutes into the third. The Whalers fail to tie the game and Bob-O gets the empty netter. Both goalies face fourteen shots, the Whalers have more time on the power play, Ryan Haley-Willhoite is raising her level of play at the right time, her third shut-out this season.
MAJOR
Brewzers (2-4-2) 2
Stickmen (4-3-1) 5
The Sticks ride their horses, Eysermanns and Henderson, and fulfill their part in a top four bid, they would need a Komet loss to get in. It's Eysermanns for the Sticks first followed by teammate Glenn Listman. In the second, Jesse Henderson puts the Sticks up by three. League favorite, Jennifer Leonard starts the Brewzer rally and is followed by Jamil Al Jabri to put the Brewzers in striking distance for the final period. But, Mike Moore once again collapses in the clutch, goals rain in from Eysermanns and Mika Hyytiainen, is it time for a sabbatical?
Snipers (2-5-1) 4
DFW Titans (3-5-0) 3
Mike Kirkland logs the only goal of the first period, putting the DFW Titans up by one. The Brewzer sister team draws the venom from its wounds and spits it back on the Titans in the second, the Snipers collect four goals: David Counce, Jamil Al Jabri, Jeff Vaughn, and Jamil again. Mike Kirkland wedges his second goal of the game into the middle of the scoring frenzy. The third is host to the birth of new heroes, Lincoln Foster scores a goal to put the Titans within one, but no Titan would seal the deal, it would be Matt Walker who would pick-up the mantle (that Mike Moore has dropped?) as he holds-off the Titan rally for a rare Sniper win.
Komets (5-2-1) 3
Patriots (4-2-2) 2
The Pats needed to establish a trend for the upcoming post season. The Komets, however, have a burning in their bellies that can only be quenched with puck filled nets. Scottie Baldree finds the net through traffic, at an impossible angle. At the close of the first, Alex Atkins catches Ellis sleeping and rips it over his outstretched glove. In the second, the Komets strike again, Dustin Nation puts the Komets up three nil. The Pats pull together in the third with absentee Sabrina York getting credit for two goals before five minutes can pass. The Komets put the clamps on the Patriot offense, and get a little luck to secure the win, closing-out the Sticks from the play-off picture and putting the Pats against the number one ranked Ice Bats.
Blue Devils (5-2-1) 1
Ice Bats (7-1-0) 2
The number one ranked Ice Bats take on the champs from last season and the Blue Devils put them under early with a goal from Mike Redmon, in the second. The Bats looked to be giving-up the game in the third, they put themselves on the penalty kill instead of concentrating their efforts on the tying goal. . . or was it all part of their plan? With the reigning champs leading the game and running their power play, Scott Hunton knocks the Blue Devils on their arse with a short handed goal, that would force overtime. After a tense four minutes of back and fourth scoring opportunities, the Bats make the final goal of the game, cementing their reputation as the team to beat, or is that player to beat?
Next week is the opening round of the play-offs, the championship rounds of each league break down like this. . . I think.
minor:
#1 LSI vs. #4 Puckers
#2 Privateers vs. #3 Whalers
MAJOR:
#1 Ice Bats vs. #4 Patriots
#2 Komets vs. #3 Blue Devils
P.S. Someone please remind me, who beat the Ice Bats? I cannot seem to find the stat.
minor
Team Euless (0-8-0) 2
LSI (7-1-0) 6
Team Euless completes the elusive perfect season, not exactly in the most enviable fashion. It started off with a hat trick in the first period to Gabe Rivera, of LSI. Euless collects a goal with the help of Rick Gregory in the second, and Gabe gets yet another goal a few seconds later. James Macha closes out the second with an LSI goal. In the third Macha tallies another one, late, and Mike Ginnard pads his stats with the final Team Euless goal of the regular season. Both of these teams may have proven that they don't belong in this league, LSI will almost certainly move on, Euless may face extinction. . . of course only to make room for some other hockey amalgam.
Silverwings (2-5-1) 2
Grave Diggers (3-5-0) 7
The Diggers once again finish strong, I doubt anyone seriously believes that this will translate into a winning record for next session, but it finally happened for the Puckers, so who knows. Brian Lochkos starts the ball rolling for the Diggers and the ailing Bryan Brookman evens the score with a shot heard round the world! Randy Chappel scores three consecutive goals for another first period hat trick on the gold rink. In the second Justin McCullough tries to build some Silverwing momentum, but the period is a wash when Bruce Davis makes his fourth goal of the session. Bob Sirkis returns to the open ice and scores a goal for the Diggers in the third, along with another goal from Chappel. Amazing, the Diggers finish in sixth out of eight teams, is that a historical high watermark?
Chiefs (4-4-0) 2
Puckers (5-3-0) 1
The mighty Puckers were looking to present a new face to the league, and started off with what looked to be a tone setting goal two minutes into the game from Chris Kirton. The Chiefs had nothing but pride on the line for this game, but that would prove to be a strong motivator, Bill Broad nets the equalizer in the middle of the period, and in the middle period Ryan Brett sinks the game winner. The Puckers raise questions about their viability in the post season when they cannot come up with the tying goal despite having four straight minutes of power play in the third.
Whalers (5-3-0) 0
Privateers (6-2-0) 2
The Whalers and Privateers end their seasons with a knock-down, drag-out, tooth-and-nail battle. The first period sees a penalty from both of the heart and soul players for these teams, Hamstra for the Whalers and Cody Payne for the 'Teers, but neither team can capitalize on the advantage. The second was a blood bath, twelve minutes worth of penalties but still no goals. In a game where shots were hard enough to come by, one goal would likely be all it would take, Jeremy Boyd finally perforates Mata in the Whaler goal, just two minutes into the third. The Whalers fail to tie the game and Bob-O gets the empty netter. Both goalies face fourteen shots, the Whalers have more time on the power play, Ryan Haley-Willhoite is raising her level of play at the right time, her third shut-out this season.
MAJOR
Brewzers (2-4-2) 2
Stickmen (4-3-1) 5
The Sticks ride their horses, Eysermanns and Henderson, and fulfill their part in a top four bid, they would need a Komet loss to get in. It's Eysermanns for the Sticks first followed by teammate Glenn Listman. In the second, Jesse Henderson puts the Sticks up by three. League favorite, Jennifer Leonard starts the Brewzer rally and is followed by Jamil Al Jabri to put the Brewzers in striking distance for the final period. But, Mike Moore once again collapses in the clutch, goals rain in from Eysermanns and Mika Hyytiainen, is it time for a sabbatical?
Snipers (2-5-1) 4
DFW Titans (3-5-0) 3
Mike Kirkland logs the only goal of the first period, putting the DFW Titans up by one. The Brewzer sister team draws the venom from its wounds and spits it back on the Titans in the second, the Snipers collect four goals: David Counce, Jamil Al Jabri, Jeff Vaughn, and Jamil again. Mike Kirkland wedges his second goal of the game into the middle of the scoring frenzy. The third is host to the birth of new heroes, Lincoln Foster scores a goal to put the Titans within one, but no Titan would seal the deal, it would be Matt Walker who would pick-up the mantle (that Mike Moore has dropped?) as he holds-off the Titan rally for a rare Sniper win.
Komets (5-2-1) 3
Patriots (4-2-2) 2
The Pats needed to establish a trend for the upcoming post season. The Komets, however, have a burning in their bellies that can only be quenched with puck filled nets. Scottie Baldree finds the net through traffic, at an impossible angle. At the close of the first, Alex Atkins catches Ellis sleeping and rips it over his outstretched glove. In the second, the Komets strike again, Dustin Nation puts the Komets up three nil. The Pats pull together in the third with absentee Sabrina York getting credit for two goals before five minutes can pass. The Komets put the clamps on the Patriot offense, and get a little luck to secure the win, closing-out the Sticks from the play-off picture and putting the Pats against the number one ranked Ice Bats.
Blue Devils (5-2-1) 1
Ice Bats (7-1-0) 2
The number one ranked Ice Bats take on the champs from last season and the Blue Devils put them under early with a goal from Mike Redmon, in the second. The Bats looked to be giving-up the game in the third, they put themselves on the penalty kill instead of concentrating their efforts on the tying goal. . . or was it all part of their plan? With the reigning champs leading the game and running their power play, Scott Hunton knocks the Blue Devils on their arse with a short handed goal, that would force overtime. After a tense four minutes of back and fourth scoring opportunities, the Bats make the final goal of the game, cementing their reputation as the team to beat, or is that player to beat?
Next week is the opening round of the play-offs, the championship rounds of each league break down like this. . . I think.
minor:
#1 LSI vs. #4 Puckers
#2 Privateers vs. #3 Whalers
MAJOR:
#1 Ice Bats vs. #4 Patriots
#2 Komets vs. #3 Blue Devils
P.S. Someone please remind me, who beat the Ice Bats? I cannot seem to find the stat.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Coast to Coast
Digging through the garage trying to locate all of the miscellaneous pieces of non-goalie hockey equipment that I have gathered throughout the years, stumbling across many memories in the process. My first goalie jersey, my first team jersey, a jersey that I designed for a team, my first helmet, my first trapper, the pieces of my first blocker, etc. . . I had just about everything I would need to make the jump to right wing, and create another memory.
Virtually every minute of my hockey "career" has been played in the crease- well, scratch that, as a goalie. Including this past Saturday, I have played out two and a half times. The first time I was ejected halfway through the game for wearing goalie skates (a safety hazard!). The previous time, I played "D", I didn't have any elbow pads. If you combine your first time on player skates with no elbow protection, you end-up with some bruised elbows. This time I would play as a forward, with elbow pads.
Playing as a forward means no responsibilities, and that's what I wanted to try.
The Patriot's game ended just as the zam was leaving the ice for the Grave Diggers, so I missed the shoot-around. This was a little disheartening, I was looking forward to taking a few shots at Bob's noggin, oh well. When the first shift ended, I skated to the bench and made a u-turn for the face-off. When the puck dropped I jumped out to the blue line looking for the outlet pass, then realized we didn't have possession anymore and fell down. I repeated this same sequence throughout the night. I definitely had some hustle. . . I must have fell down on every square inch of the ice.
Trying to find the right time to hit the bench was not as easy as I thought it would be, we were rolling forwards due to our odd number. I have heard that people can get pretty upset about their ice time, I am not used to worrying about that, but I didn't want to take anything away from anybody. I made an effort to be generous with my ice time, I don't know if it came across or not, I really wanted to be out their the whole game. I'm a goalie, it's in my nature.
Somehow, I was credited with the primary assist on the first goal. If this actually happened or not, I can't say. I got in one other good pass to our center, right in front of the goal, it was deflected into his skates, unfortunately. Several times I made some good efforts at forechecking- meaning, into position, try to move stick onto puck, fall down. But, what should have been my shining moment. . . I caught the pass from my defenseman as I started my break for the goal. It was just me and Ryan Haley. I was struggling to keep the puck in the spot I wanted it to be, while watching her position in the net. Soon I was about fifteen feet from the net on her glove side, too low to have much of an angle for a shooting chance, when I saw my center in the middle of the slot. With Ryan already dropping, all I had to do was throw the pass out to my team mate for the go ahead goal. So what did I do? I fired it right into her belly, of course. I have relived this moment over and over, I am so ashamed of myself.
One other highlight, as I made a streak down on the forecheck, behind the net, Brooks gives me a head fake, looked over his shoulder to make eye contact and casually feigned recognition, "Oh, I thought it was actually somebody on the forecheck". I was cracking-up.
Career face-off win percentage- 0%, dang it Chris.
I didn't fulfill many of my goals for the game but we played well enough to win, and I had a lot of fun.
It seems I have had several opportunities this year to make some of my dreams come true, especially on the hockey front. There is still one that I haven't had a shot at. . . I have had some shooting sessions with some very talented players, even took a slapshot from a Hull, Bobby Jr., but still pretty cool. This week Bob Sturm made me very jealous, as he faced Mike Ribiero in a breakaway competition. Maybe, someday. . .
Of course, the game was also the triumphant return of Bob Sirkis to the net. He has borrowed my gear to play the goal before, but I never got to witness it. He is a very aggressive goalie (surprise, surprise!), and he lives and dies by his stand-up goaltending style. It was very interesting also to hear the reactions of the team on the bench as Bob made a high risk play. I fully supported his play. No one seemed shocked by that.
Bob enjoys the change of pace, playing goal, but I don't think he is a day to day goalie. But if you think you could be, or maybe you already are but need some help developing your game, the goaltending clinic is practically a reality. I still don't have the details: time, date, cost, number of spots, etc. . . but I need to hear from all of you out there that are interested in making use of this unique event. There will probably be one spot for the wannabe goalie that has little or no equipment of their own, so make your case.
stickysaves@gmail.com
Monday, December 08, 2008
I hate when that happens ...
Don't you just hate it when your team puts a guy on waivers and he does this?
ST. LOUIS (AP)—B.J. Crombeen scored three goals, including the game-winner with 3:43 to play as the Blues defeated the Nashville Predators 6-3 Monday night.
Doh.
ST. LOUIS (AP)—B.J. Crombeen scored three goals, including the game-winner with 3:43 to play as the Blues defeated the Nashville Predators 6-3 Monday night.
Doh.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Any Day Now. . .
minor
Chiefs 6pts(3-4-0) 2
LSI 12pts(6-1-0) 5
Although Bill Broad opened the scoring for the Chiefs the scene quickly shifted to a common LSI phenomenon. The most prolific line in the league (I say with absolutely no research) has to be the Mulder and Scully combination of Gabe Rivera and Catherine Levesque, they team-up for the first two Import goals, securing the lead before the first period ended. In the second Gabe gets the assist on Cliff Bogle's goal, Tom Harnitchek scores to put the Chiefs within one. Rivera could not be contained, in the third he scores two more for a total of five points on the night. Bill Broad takes himself out of the game late with penalties.
Silverwings 5pts(2-4-1) 2
Whalers 10pts(5-2-0) 3
Watching this game in person, the speed was overwhelming. Could this be I-league, it looked to be at least a mid to high level D. The first period is sum zero, a Wing goal from James Pickett and a Whaler goal Brad Watson. In the second the Hamster Brian Hamstra puts one away for the Whaler lead. The "C" train left the station as Sergio Castillo ties the game, exactly one minute later the Whalers wrestle it back with a goal from Paul Thurston. With a period left to play, the Silverwings only needed one more juicy rebound, but there would not be another. The Whalers are on a slippery slope, with their history they need the wins to unite the team, but if they accumulate too many points, they could end up in the MAJORs.
Puckers 10pts(5-2-0) 4
Privateers 10pts(5-2-0) 2
The Puckers allow plenty of opportunities, but overcome with a huge upset. Rick Gregory and Rob Constantine score the only two goals of the first period, both for the Puckers. Robert Meassengale cuts the lead in half early in the second, Don Lyle ties the score at the three minute mark. The Puckers find the game winner late in the third with the help of Steve Niekamp. In the third the Puckers tighten the screws and not only keep the 'Teers at bay but net one more goal from Larry Nounemany. Is this the 'Teer's December swoon? What will become of the Privateers after this session? The rumors abound that they may not return, or if they do it may be as a completely different look.
Team Euless 0pts(0-7-0) 3
Grave Diggers 4pts(2-5-0) 4
The switch in goal for the Diggers meant I would make my debut as a forward, masquerading as "Don Ells", amazingly, Billy Quinn's goal (the first of the game) is off my assist (can't say I remember). In the second Euless evens it up with a goal from Robert Massengale (I think that's the correct spelling), but lose the lead to Danny Grimes on the potent Grave Digger power play. The third was a shooting gallery. It started with the quick hands of Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr to put the Diggers ahead by two, then late in the period, Robert Massengale tries to close the gap for Euless. The Diggers fire back less than a minute later with a goal from Bruce Davis. The ill-fated Euless rally ends with a goal from Marie Lindley. Bob Sirkis plays a very aggressive stand-up style, leaving several tasty rebounds but comes up with a couple of game changing stops, inspiring his offense. Another Digger session ends strong, sure they will probably play themselves into a hole early next session, but they always grow together as the season continues. . . It's hard to not have fun with this team.
MAJOR
Ice Bats 12pts(6-1-0) 2
Komets 9pts(4-2-1) 1
The strongest Komets team in recent history roars onto the ice, playing for a place in the play-offs, Scottie Baldree leads the charge as per usual, scoring the opening goal unassisted. Chuck Dolbee resurrects the Ice Bat resolve, evening the score before the period ended. In the second, Mitch Gnatowsky takes the lead for the Bats in the last two minutes. The Komets prefer to ride a lead into the third, and cannot find the extra gear they need to save the game, they lose to the league favorite.
Snipers 3pts(1-5-1) 3
Stickmen 7pts(3-3-1) 4
Wiry Kevin Cook opens the game with a Sniper goal setting the tone for the Sniper bench, could this be the night? The Sticks respond with a goal from Damon Flores to close the first. Just fourteen seconds into the second the Snipers beat Blubaugh again, this time it's Chris Davis. The Snipers follow that up with a goal from the omnipresent Jamil Al Jabri. The Sticks regroup with goals from Wil Dobson (Whore!) and Todd Smith. The final five minutes of the middle frame, both teams batted each other around looking for weaknesses, with no results on the scoreboard. Back in the corner, Burgess Meredith slapped the Sticks in the face, cut open their eyes and sent them into the ring for the final round, the upstart Snipers continued to deliver blow after blow but it's Steve Hart who lands the knock-out for the Stickmen. Matt Walker shows glimpses of greatness in the Sniper net. Blubaugh gets his second win of the night.
Brewzers 6pts(2-3-2) 2
Patriots 10pts(4-1-2) 3
A scoreless first period leads into a heated exchange between goalies at center ice as "diva" Mike Moore taunts SNH reporter Jon Ellis over perceived besmirchment in the press. Moore gets the first laugh, when Steve Daniels makes an incredible redirect on the Eysermanns shot to put the Brewzers on top. John Newell puts the Pats on the board before the second ends. In the third Eysermanns gets one of his own on the rebound, but the roaring Brewzer bench is silenced when Brad Allen sends it to overtime late in the third. The Pats playoff hopes are kept alive when Kendall Bernard finds the twine with less than a minute left in the overtime period. Somewhere along the way, Dallas Lehr made a save of his own against a hard Brewzer shot, maybe he saved the game?
DFW Titans 6pts(3-4-0) 1
Blue Devils 10pts(5-2-0) 2
The Blue Devils hold fast to their playoff hopes, could this be a three-peat (*check stats to make sure they won last two before posting!)? Despite a strong James Barber start in the Titan net, recording a shut-out first and third period, and allowing only two goals on twenty shots, the Titans have been quashed. Steven Hart puts the Devils on the board first with an early goal in the second. Kenneth Rawson ties it up just a couple of minutes later, but in just two more minutes, Jay Peters ends the Titans' season. Look-out for the Devils!
P.S. Look for my post on playing out this week, hopefully with some video! Hope I didn't misspell too many things, can't make Blogger work for me tonight. Happy hockey!
Chiefs 6pts(3-4-0) 2
LSI 12pts(6-1-0) 5
Although Bill Broad opened the scoring for the Chiefs the scene quickly shifted to a common LSI phenomenon. The most prolific line in the league (I say with absolutely no research) has to be the Mulder and Scully combination of Gabe Rivera and Catherine Levesque, they team-up for the first two Import goals, securing the lead before the first period ended. In the second Gabe gets the assist on Cliff Bogle's goal, Tom Harnitchek scores to put the Chiefs within one. Rivera could not be contained, in the third he scores two more for a total of five points on the night. Bill Broad takes himself out of the game late with penalties.
Silverwings 5pts(2-4-1) 2
Whalers 10pts(5-2-0) 3
Watching this game in person, the speed was overwhelming. Could this be I-league, it looked to be at least a mid to high level D. The first period is sum zero, a Wing goal from James Pickett and a Whaler goal Brad Watson. In the second the Hamster Brian Hamstra puts one away for the Whaler lead. The "C" train left the station as Sergio Castillo ties the game, exactly one minute later the Whalers wrestle it back with a goal from Paul Thurston. With a period left to play, the Silverwings only needed one more juicy rebound, but there would not be another. The Whalers are on a slippery slope, with their history they need the wins to unite the team, but if they accumulate too many points, they could end up in the MAJORs.
Puckers 10pts(5-2-0) 4
Privateers 10pts(5-2-0) 2
The Puckers allow plenty of opportunities, but overcome with a huge upset. Rick Gregory and Rob Constantine score the only two goals of the first period, both for the Puckers. Robert Meassengale cuts the lead in half early in the second, Don Lyle ties the score at the three minute mark. The Puckers find the game winner late in the third with the help of Steve Niekamp. In the third the Puckers tighten the screws and not only keep the 'Teers at bay but net one more goal from Larry Nounemany. Is this the 'Teer's December swoon? What will become of the Privateers after this session? The rumors abound that they may not return, or if they do it may be as a completely different look.
Team Euless 0pts(0-7-0) 3
Grave Diggers 4pts(2-5-0) 4
The switch in goal for the Diggers meant I would make my debut as a forward, masquerading as "Don Ells", amazingly, Billy Quinn's goal (the first of the game) is off my assist (can't say I remember). In the second Euless evens it up with a goal from Robert Massengale (I think that's the correct spelling), but lose the lead to Danny Grimes on the potent Grave Digger power play. The third was a shooting gallery. It started with the quick hands of Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr to put the Diggers ahead by two, then late in the period, Robert Massengale tries to close the gap for Euless. The Diggers fire back less than a minute later with a goal from Bruce Davis. The ill-fated Euless rally ends with a goal from Marie Lindley. Bob Sirkis plays a very aggressive stand-up style, leaving several tasty rebounds but comes up with a couple of game changing stops, inspiring his offense. Another Digger session ends strong, sure they will probably play themselves into a hole early next session, but they always grow together as the season continues. . . It's hard to not have fun with this team.
MAJOR
Ice Bats 12pts(6-1-0) 2
Komets 9pts(4-2-1) 1
The strongest Komets team in recent history roars onto the ice, playing for a place in the play-offs, Scottie Baldree leads the charge as per usual, scoring the opening goal unassisted. Chuck Dolbee resurrects the Ice Bat resolve, evening the score before the period ended. In the second, Mitch Gnatowsky takes the lead for the Bats in the last two minutes. The Komets prefer to ride a lead into the third, and cannot find the extra gear they need to save the game, they lose to the league favorite.
Snipers 3pts(1-5-1) 3
Stickmen 7pts(3-3-1) 4
Wiry Kevin Cook opens the game with a Sniper goal setting the tone for the Sniper bench, could this be the night? The Sticks respond with a goal from Damon Flores to close the first. Just fourteen seconds into the second the Snipers beat Blubaugh again, this time it's Chris Davis. The Snipers follow that up with a goal from the omnipresent Jamil Al Jabri. The Sticks regroup with goals from Wil Dobson (Whore!) and Todd Smith. The final five minutes of the middle frame, both teams batted each other around looking for weaknesses, with no results on the scoreboard. Back in the corner, Burgess Meredith slapped the Sticks in the face, cut open their eyes and sent them into the ring for the final round, the upstart Snipers continued to deliver blow after blow but it's Steve Hart who lands the knock-out for the Stickmen. Matt Walker shows glimpses of greatness in the Sniper net. Blubaugh gets his second win of the night.
Brewzers 6pts(2-3-2) 2
Patriots 10pts(4-1-2) 3
A scoreless first period leads into a heated exchange between goalies at center ice as "diva" Mike Moore taunts SNH reporter Jon Ellis over perceived besmirchment in the press. Moore gets the first laugh, when Steve Daniels makes an incredible redirect on the Eysermanns shot to put the Brewzers on top. John Newell puts the Pats on the board before the second ends. In the third Eysermanns gets one of his own on the rebound, but the roaring Brewzer bench is silenced when Brad Allen sends it to overtime late in the third. The Pats playoff hopes are kept alive when Kendall Bernard finds the twine with less than a minute left in the overtime period. Somewhere along the way, Dallas Lehr made a save of his own against a hard Brewzer shot, maybe he saved the game?
DFW Titans 6pts(3-4-0) 1
Blue Devils 10pts(5-2-0) 2
The Blue Devils hold fast to their playoff hopes, could this be a three-peat (*check stats to make sure they won last two before posting!)? Despite a strong James Barber start in the Titan net, recording a shut-out first and third period, and allowing only two goals on twenty shots, the Titans have been quashed. Steven Hart puts the Devils on the board first with an early goal in the second. Kenneth Rawson ties it up just a couple of minutes later, but in just two more minutes, Jay Peters ends the Titans' season. Look-out for the Devils!
P.S. Look for my post on playing out this week, hopefully with some video! Hope I didn't misspell too many things, can't make Blogger work for me tonight. Happy hockey!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Mike Moore's Goaltending Clinic
I have heard from Tom Yockey that Mike Moore's Goaltending Clinic may very well make an appearance at one of the practices at the beginning of next session. There will be plenty of opportunities for returning goalies to have their game inspected by the clinic staff, and there will be a spot for at least one lucky goalie-curious player, equipment provided!
How much would you pay for just such an opportunity? $500? $400? $300? I don't know actually. . . I haven't got the word yet on whether there will be an additional charge to the I-league fee. Billy Pye may make an appearance, a little bird tells me, if that does anything for you. Of course everyone wants to know. . .
Will Mike Moore be there?
The short answer is yes. . . probably.
His manager has informed the staff at SNH that Mike is not to be approached by any of the players or fans without the escort of his bodyguard. The schedule does call for a one hour photo and autograph session before the clinic begins, photos for the autograph session will be available for $10 each.
bciii
P.S. Seriously, this thing is going to happen, I need to know how many Goalies to start planning for, so RSVP to stickysaves@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
