No mini this week, but instead, two teams with full benches. The teams were:
Black Hawks – Hurricane in net, with Snowpants, Cribz, Spinner, Doc, Rocky, Chico, Killer and Lovie
White Eagles – Hollywood in net, with Sparky, Jingles, Soupy, Chevy, The Turk, The Rake and The Matador (wow, that’s three players with “the” before their nickname on one team…that should not be allowed).
After a late start due to a locked Kapusta Kow Palace, the festivities began with White getting the early jump. The play was fast and furious with lots of shots by both teams. Both Hurricane and Hollywood were on fire in net, making highlight saves. The Eagles started to come alive and were able to score quickly to take a 3-0 lead. The Hawks could not seem to figure out how to get the ball past Hollywood…he was making save after save. After the first 20 minute period, the score remained 3-0.
The Tomcats wait to enter the Kapusta after a delay in opening the facility.
While unorthodox, Hollywood’s style of net play was effective at throwing off the Black Hawks, especially in the first period of game 1.
The Hawks, helped by a late arrival of Lovie, came out in the second period with a flurry of fancy passes and shots and finally broke the seal on Hollywood. The Hawks were relentless and quickly tied up the game at 3-3. Keeping the pressure on, the Hawks were able to seal the game 8-5 when it was all said and done.
Game two saw the White Eagles jump out to an early 1-0 lead by scoring within the first 2 minutes of the period. However, the Black Hawks found their scoring ways quickly and were able to qucikly gain a comfortable lead. Hurricane, though almost the same age as Normie Smith’s jock strap now, proved he still has it, making critical saves for the Black Hawks and allowing the team to be aggressive on the forecheck.
Hurricane, making his annual appearance in net, tells Lovie tales of net-minding glory from days gone by.
The night was not without controversy (what else would you expect when Stevo was not in attendance). On a couple of occasions, the Black Hawks were a little aggressive around the net, taking a few swipes as Hollywood tried to corral the loose ball. The Tomcats are reminded that if the goalie has stopped the ball, or is about to cover the ball, good sportsmanship dictates to lay off and get ready for the next play. A fired up Eagles bunch mustered a few quick goals to make the game close, but the Black Hawks proved too much and were able to finish by a score of 10-7.
A shout out to Lovie for pulling a super-solid by bringing 24 (or was it 30) beers on the night he was suppose to bring 12. All beverages were enjoyed on stage. There were some calls for Snowpants to drop the “S” from his name and go by “No Pants” as he emphatically tried to re-enact what a slash/hack on the goalie really would look like, and how such a thing did not occur on the floor that evening. The Turk was not buying his explanation and was quoted saying, “Tonight was not fun, the hacking of goalies cannot occur, and for god sakes Snowpants, will you finish changing before jumping up and down like a lunatic on stage…I thought Harry was the only guy trying to put his balls on us!”
Filling in for a travelling Harry (currently on sabatical in a foreign land, studying the ancient art of Ballsonsomeone Placement Therapy), I’m Howie Feltersnatch
Windsor Tomcats 
I don’t think I would call the goalie hacking last nite “a little agressive”. When we have to stop play to see if the goalie still has all of his fingers in tact, that’s bordering on the ridiculous. I propose a new rule. Similar to the one swipe an attacking team has to get the ball off the back of the net, a player gets one swipe at THE BALL when the goalie is attempting to cover it. More than one swipe and the attacking team is penalized by taking away a goal.
Turk, the Ex Goalie is right. But instead of taking away a goal, why not just give the ‘hacker’ a one minute penalty. This way he shorts himself on playing time and shorts his team for his stupidity. Of course, the 6 pack fine would go along with the penalty.
Thanks for the support Kerry. I thought about a 6-pack penalty or removing the offender from the floor, but felt that it wasn’t enough to deter the hacking. Losing a goal REALLY hurts and I think that will be a much more effective deterrent. However, I’ll leave it to the professionals to make the final decision.