Incidently...I forgot to mention that in the after celebration in the snack area (and free beer courtesy of the AHA) I got to chatting to a gal I know from the Yellow Team. It was she that informed me that Number 42 guy led their league in penalty minutes. And he has himself a nickname too;
"Hack Saw"
Nice.
Kai #10
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Okay, here's the story, so pay attention.
The Championship Game:
--cue tympanies--
***Bum, bum, da-bum, bum bum***
What a game this game was. Wow. First of all, it was the earliest I think we've ever played a game of consequence; 10:35am. Personally, I felt pretty fresh. Remembering how the playoffs last spring took their toll on me last spring, I made sure to take care of myself. It was a sacrifice, let me tell you--I went out with Alison on saturday after the game and had a nice steak and a glass or two of shiraz. Actually, I did read somewhere that it's important to replenish protein for muscles after hard exertion, and the shiraz is a nice bold red with, you know, tannins and anti-oxidents and all that good stuff.
Anyway, I digress.
What a great game. With a whole cast of characters and a bunch of crazy twists and turns, all stuffed into the short 12 minute a period format. The Yellow Team was the one we played on friday, and the managed a spectacular comeback in the third to tie that one up. Just like kissing your sister, as they say. So we were looking for payback and payback we did.
The first two periods were just a back and forth battle. Neither side scored. They played a pretty tight defense and had plenty of chances on offense, just peppering Trey with shots, 22 in total by the end of the game. And as I mentioned a second ago, they played tight on the defense and were noticebly quicker to pounce on us like vultures. We managed only 11 shots the whole damn game, and I don't think I had more than one of those, if that. But it's a unanimous consensus that Trey is the Tournement MVP. I mean, three goals in four games? Gotta love that. But those first two periods were noted only by penalties on both teams. And by teams I mean Pavel, and this chippy knucklehead on the Yellow Team that we knew as "Number 42 guy". He was constantly doing instigator crap; making runs at Trey on dead pucks, calling out "coming to get'cha!!" in the corners, other dipshit stuff like that. And since we can't get a Boogaard out to beat the crap out of him, I guess we have---Pavel. Anyway, those two were ramping up the intensity, and I guess you could say were starting thier own little 1 on 1 game. But we were spending time killing penalties which what with 12 minute periods, can be momentum killers.
The fun really got going in the third period. Still knotted up at 0-0, about a half minute into the third period, they put in a goal to take a lead of 0-1. Crap! But if they get that many shots, even an MVP goalie won't be perfect. No worries tho, plenty of time. The whole game we had been playing hard, and staying pretty fresh, on account of the fact we were taking really good, short shirts. It's amazing how that helps, especially late in the game. (The truth is, I think pick-up hockey encourages bad habits; my last JMS this guy with a pony-tail skated like he was 80 years old, and till took--I timed him--an EIGHT minute shift)
Anyway, we had plenty of time, but they were pretty much shutting us down. Then with about 7 minutes left to play, the Pavel, Number 42 Guy rivalry boiled over. 42 had been, quite frankly, getting away with shit all game and the refs were not calling it very tightly. I mean, earlier, those two were getting rough with each other in the neutral zone and the refs stop play--can't remember if it was offsides or some such. Pavel and 42 Guy are jawing and all that and the refs line up a face off between the two of them. Brilliant call refs. Not exactly MENSA members are you?? We were on the bench going, "Is that a good idea?? I bet they just ignore the puck and just skate into each other, a la football linemen. Jaren "Sweet Hands" Anderson is screaming "Get him the hell out of there!! But when the game is not called smart, things can get out of hand. Like this. It started off with those two getting into it in the Yellow Team zones right corner. Some roughing ensues. Whistle gets blown....offsetting penalties. Okay, that's not so bad. But then Pavel---and there's no way to sugarcoat this--makes a supreme bonehead move. As they are skating to the box, he takes his stick and does a twohanded mock swing at 42's head. Not really swing or anything, just sort of do the motion. The refs jump ALL over this....and Pavel gets himself a 5 minute roughing major to boot. Grant has to sit in the box for the two minute and Pavel get's the five. I guess they should have been consecutive or something, Coach Wally was saying the refs screwed THAT up too, but I cannot recall what it was, so feel free to tell me and I'll post it later.
So to recap at this point. We have about 7 minutes to play, all of it on penalty kill, and are trailing 0-1 in a game where we are getting out shot 2-1. We're fucked, right? Well, we were still playing pretty hard, and the bench is going nuts. Someone yells, "Get the puck out of there! Ice it..ICE IT!!!!" and someone else goes "We do gotta score a fucking goal too you know!!" with a scant 2 minutes to play, in a scrum in their slot, "Backhand" Boyko gets the puck over to Sweet Hands (not sure if it was a backhand pass; it probably was), who decided at a VERY good time to actually take a shot on goal.
You've all heard it a billion times, on TV, in movies, on the radio. Or even out loud when you're a little kid skating with your pals, or even as a grown up kid in your mind when you're shooting at rickety net at the park. It's okay, I do it too. But what you hear are those immortal, glorious, timeless words
He shoots........HE SCORES!!!!
The AK Bars go crazy. Jaren skates to the bench, looking weary, as if he had just turned the whole game around all by himself or something. We've got two minutes to go before overtime. The game was the Yellow Team's to lose, but the Comeback Gods giveth, and the Comeback Gods taketh away. Neither team is able to score in the overtime, and in championship games, well, you need a champion, so we went to the shootout. The dreaded, stomach churning, high stakes contest that decides the whole effing thing. Even our best and most loyal fan up in the seats, Karen Boyko, was covering her face with her hands....she couldn't watch! It's really really stressful, let me tell you.
Larry decided to go with Brett, Sweet Hands, and Pavel (for the opportunity for redemption perhaps?) As the home team, we get to decide to go first or not. Larry decided for not. The first Yellow comes in, shoots.....save by Trey. Libby goes in, fakes left, goes right, and their goalie makes a great stick save on the ice, totally anticipating the fake. Still zero zero. Second Yellow guy, comes in, outside attempt at the corner....SAVE by Trey! second up, our clutch guy Jaren. He goes in, fakes left, goes right, (and remembering Libby's shot), fakes THAT, and goes back left and plunks it in on the WIDE open left side. AK Bars up 1-0. It comes down to thier third guy. Trey makes the save, we win this game. The guy skates in...does something then probably something else, shoots....and well, what else? Trey makes the save, we pile over the boards screaming our asses off and throwing the gloves in the air and pile on the guy. We are the 2008 AHA Fall Invitational Level 4 Champions.
It was a seriously kick ass moment. I highly recommend it. The trophy is pretty awesome too. :)
Until next time....
-Kai #10
The Championship Game:
--cue tympanies--
***Bum, bum, da-bum, bum bum***
What a game this game was. Wow. First of all, it was the earliest I think we've ever played a game of consequence; 10:35am. Personally, I felt pretty fresh. Remembering how the playoffs last spring took their toll on me last spring, I made sure to take care of myself. It was a sacrifice, let me tell you--I went out with Alison on saturday after the game and had a nice steak and a glass or two of shiraz. Actually, I did read somewhere that it's important to replenish protein for muscles after hard exertion, and the shiraz is a nice bold red with, you know, tannins and anti-oxidents and all that good stuff.
Anyway, I digress.
What a great game. With a whole cast of characters and a bunch of crazy twists and turns, all stuffed into the short 12 minute a period format. The Yellow Team was the one we played on friday, and the managed a spectacular comeback in the third to tie that one up. Just like kissing your sister, as they say. So we were looking for payback and payback we did.
The first two periods were just a back and forth battle. Neither side scored. They played a pretty tight defense and had plenty of chances on offense, just peppering Trey with shots, 22 in total by the end of the game. And as I mentioned a second ago, they played tight on the defense and were noticebly quicker to pounce on us like vultures. We managed only 11 shots the whole damn game, and I don't think I had more than one of those, if that. But it's a unanimous consensus that Trey is the Tournement MVP. I mean, three goals in four games? Gotta love that. But those first two periods were noted only by penalties on both teams. And by teams I mean Pavel, and this chippy knucklehead on the Yellow Team that we knew as "Number 42 guy". He was constantly doing instigator crap; making runs at Trey on dead pucks, calling out "coming to get'cha!!" in the corners, other dipshit stuff like that. And since we can't get a Boogaard out to beat the crap out of him, I guess we have---Pavel. Anyway, those two were ramping up the intensity, and I guess you could say were starting thier own little 1 on 1 game. But we were spending time killing penalties which what with 12 minute periods, can be momentum killers.
The fun really got going in the third period. Still knotted up at 0-0, about a half minute into the third period, they put in a goal to take a lead of 0-1. Crap! But if they get that many shots, even an MVP goalie won't be perfect. No worries tho, plenty of time. The whole game we had been playing hard, and staying pretty fresh, on account of the fact we were taking really good, short shirts. It's amazing how that helps, especially late in the game. (The truth is, I think pick-up hockey encourages bad habits; my last JMS this guy with a pony-tail skated like he was 80 years old, and till took--I timed him--an EIGHT minute shift)
Anyway, we had plenty of time, but they were pretty much shutting us down. Then with about 7 minutes left to play, the Pavel, Number 42 Guy rivalry boiled over. 42 had been, quite frankly, getting away with shit all game and the refs were not calling it very tightly. I mean, earlier, those two were getting rough with each other in the neutral zone and the refs stop play--can't remember if it was offsides or some such. Pavel and 42 Guy are jawing and all that and the refs line up a face off between the two of them. Brilliant call refs. Not exactly MENSA members are you?? We were on the bench going, "Is that a good idea?? I bet they just ignore the puck and just skate into each other, a la football linemen. Jaren "Sweet Hands" Anderson is screaming "Get him the hell out of there!! But when the game is not called smart, things can get out of hand. Like this. It started off with those two getting into it in the Yellow Team zones right corner. Some roughing ensues. Whistle gets blown....offsetting penalties. Okay, that's not so bad. But then Pavel---and there's no way to sugarcoat this--makes a supreme bonehead move. As they are skating to the box, he takes his stick and does a twohanded mock swing at 42's head. Not really swing or anything, just sort of do the motion. The refs jump ALL over this....and Pavel gets himself a 5 minute roughing major to boot. Grant has to sit in the box for the two minute and Pavel get's the five. I guess they should have been consecutive or something, Coach Wally was saying the refs screwed THAT up too, but I cannot recall what it was, so feel free to tell me and I'll post it later.
So to recap at this point. We have about 7 minutes to play, all of it on penalty kill, and are trailing 0-1 in a game where we are getting out shot 2-1. We're fucked, right? Well, we were still playing pretty hard, and the bench is going nuts. Someone yells, "Get the puck out of there! Ice it..ICE IT!!!!" and someone else goes "We do gotta score a fucking goal too you know!!" with a scant 2 minutes to play, in a scrum in their slot, "Backhand" Boyko gets the puck over to Sweet Hands (not sure if it was a backhand pass; it probably was), who decided at a VERY good time to actually take a shot on goal.
You've all heard it a billion times, on TV, in movies, on the radio. Or even out loud when you're a little kid skating with your pals, or even as a grown up kid in your mind when you're shooting at rickety net at the park. It's okay, I do it too. But what you hear are those immortal, glorious, timeless words
He shoots........HE SCORES!!!!
The AK Bars go crazy. Jaren skates to the bench, looking weary, as if he had just turned the whole game around all by himself or something. We've got two minutes to go before overtime. The game was the Yellow Team's to lose, but the Comeback Gods giveth, and the Comeback Gods taketh away. Neither team is able to score in the overtime, and in championship games, well, you need a champion, so we went to the shootout. The dreaded, stomach churning, high stakes contest that decides the whole effing thing. Even our best and most loyal fan up in the seats, Karen Boyko, was covering her face with her hands....she couldn't watch! It's really really stressful, let me tell you.
Larry decided to go with Brett, Sweet Hands, and Pavel (for the opportunity for redemption perhaps?) As the home team, we get to decide to go first or not. Larry decided for not. The first Yellow comes in, shoots.....save by Trey. Libby goes in, fakes left, goes right, and their goalie makes a great stick save on the ice, totally anticipating the fake. Still zero zero. Second Yellow guy, comes in, outside attempt at the corner....SAVE by Trey! second up, our clutch guy Jaren. He goes in, fakes left, goes right, (and remembering Libby's shot), fakes THAT, and goes back left and plunks it in on the WIDE open left side. AK Bars up 1-0. It comes down to thier third guy. Trey makes the save, we win this game. The guy skates in...does something then probably something else, shoots....and well, what else? Trey makes the save, we pile over the boards screaming our asses off and throwing the gloves in the air and pile on the guy. We are the 2008 AHA Fall Invitational Level 4 Champions.
It was a seriously kick ass moment. I highly recommend it. The trophy is pretty awesome too. :)
Until next time....
-Kai #10
Ladies and gents, check out the new link to the Neighborhood Bandy Club blog and view the video. This "Bandy" game is great--I've played indoors, and must be a blast outside on that monster sized rink! I'm gonna get a few extra sticks if any of you hockey players out here want to give it a try; and I STRONGLY suggest you do. We'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Ladies and Gents, the AK Bars are back And we are....to put it mildly, the Champs! Yeppers, we continued our fall tournament domination by winning the 2008 AHA Fall Invitational up at the Blaine Super (duper) Rink. It was a hell of a weekend of hockey, lemme tell you. We had a game Friday night, two on Saturday and the Championship game early on Sunday morning. I was beat, let me tell you. Totally and completely drained. And I've got a HUGE bruise on my right arm. Ahh...battle scars....
Anyway, we did not get off to a great start on Friday as we managed to let a 2-0 lead evaporate into a very unsatisfying 2-2 tie against the Yellow Team. Everyone pretty much played rusty and it showed. They were a good team tho, very defensive, and we only had a few opportunities. I scored an UGLY one and Drew "The Big Swede" tipped in a nice crossing pass from Jaren "Sweet Hands" Anderson. But a tie is a bit of a dissappointment, and we were not happy about it.
Saturday was a different story, however. Between the Wildcats and the hapless Buccaneers, we went 3-0 and 7-0 respectively. The Bucs game was noted by the oddest thing we'd seen in a long time. Late in the game, with a 4-0 lead, our very own supermodel, Grant "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" Olson, apparently did something to offend one of them against the boards in their zone. The guy puffs his chest out and literally starts CHASING him around the rink, while meanwhile Grant himself seemed oblivious to it. But the guy was completely out of the play, wasn't following the puck at all! It was hilarious, even when he checks him into the boards, with one of his numbskull buddies piling on for good measure. They both get sent into the box of course and we had a 5 on 3 power play. This all went down about halfway through the 3rd period, so we added three more goals for their trouble on the remaning 5 minutes or so.
This all qualified us for the big champoinship game, and a rematch with the Yellow Team. More on that later.....
Anyway, we did not get off to a great start on Friday as we managed to let a 2-0 lead evaporate into a very unsatisfying 2-2 tie against the Yellow Team. Everyone pretty much played rusty and it showed. They were a good team tho, very defensive, and we only had a few opportunities. I scored an UGLY one and Drew "The Big Swede" tipped in a nice crossing pass from Jaren "Sweet Hands" Anderson. But a tie is a bit of a dissappointment, and we were not happy about it.
Saturday was a different story, however. Between the Wildcats and the hapless Buccaneers, we went 3-0 and 7-0 respectively. The Bucs game was noted by the oddest thing we'd seen in a long time. Late in the game, with a 4-0 lead, our very own supermodel, Grant "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" Olson, apparently did something to offend one of them against the boards in their zone. The guy puffs his chest out and literally starts CHASING him around the rink, while meanwhile Grant himself seemed oblivious to it. But the guy was completely out of the play, wasn't following the puck at all! It was hilarious, even when he checks him into the boards, with one of his numbskull buddies piling on for good measure. They both get sent into the box of course and we had a 5 on 3 power play. This all went down about halfway through the 3rd period, so we added three more goals for their trouble on the remaning 5 minutes or so.
This all qualified us for the big champoinship game, and a rematch with the Yellow Team. More on that later.....
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