Tournament day was like many others seen in the past, with each team coming in focused on having the chance to be called Champs, and bask in the glory of capturing the ‘Stanley’s Cup’. Play throughout the day was predictably fast, and very nary were there goals scored which might be considered easy. Each team had their chances, and as the day progressed it seemed players were able to find new ways to keep the crowd rockin. When the battles were complete the best two teams on this day squared off and played a match which well go down as one of the best championship games seen in years.
While I had predicted the showdown would feature Lovie’s Legion of Doom and Snowpants Blackjacks, the Jingles Jets had other plans. Weeks prior to the tourney every oddsmaker on the planet had speculated who would walk away champs. Maybe, just maybe those articles counting out the Jets played a role in motivating the team. Jingles himself, after being barraged with the endless media request and questions surrounding his choice of line mates commented, ‘We have a great bunch of guys on this team that are really going to surprise the readers of the Windsor Tomcats blog. Everyone on this team can score at will. We just have to play smart and make sure we keep an eye out to match up with the other teams top players. If we do that well, I have no doubt we will be in that final game”.
By the time the Jets started their third game of the tournament, Jingles knew he was destined to reach the final game. And while that third game may not have much on the line for the Jets, Lovie’s Legion of Doom needed a tie or win to advance them. In what can only be described as a scoring clinic, Lovie’s team was simply dominant and easily took the match 9-6. It may well be a Tomcat tournament record with both teams combining for a total of 15 goals. The win knocked out Snowpants, who later commented, “They played some great games today, and while we didn’t get to play in the finals I’m really proud of my guys”.
Stevo’s Stingrays had already been mathematically eliminated as the team struggled all tournament to score goals. Long time Tomcat Hurricane commented, “Stevo picked a great team; but it simply wasn’t our day. We certainly needed to click more out there and pop in a few more goals. Four goals all day long won’t win you many games”.
The stage was set with the Jets and Lovie’s Legion of Doom hitting the reset match, but this time instead of simply another win, both would be vying for the chance to call themselves champs. In what can only be described as fitting, after 2 periods of play neither side were able to celebrate just yet and a very rare sudden death overtime was required. Tomcats history will show that this was only the second overtime in the 25 years of the tournament. The previous time had Sunny scoring for the Polka Kings, four years ago, (also a Winter Olympic year). While extra time may have been needed, the Jets took very little of it to score on a mad scrum in front of Razor. As the ref signalled a goal, the Jets began to celebrate.
Afterwards many a player who stood glued to the action commented it was probably one of the greatest matches witnessed. Not due to simply entering overtime, but because both teams had played a very clean hard fought game. Matador, who I would have picked as a solid 3rd star commented, ‘We may have come up short, but each of the guys played like champs. My hats off to Jingles and his team on a great game”. Super solid by Matador, and spoken like a true sportsman.
While the Crow deservedly captured MVP accolades, the true star on the day belongs to Doc Kellemann,a retired Tomcat player who graciously donated a personalized towel with each payers number inscribed. Now that’s a true Tomcat, thinking of all his brothers above the cost to himself. It’s been my 5th season covering this great group of players, and the gift by Doc just captures the heart and sole of the essence of being a Tomcat. Super solid Doc, Ad as I await the remainder of the seasons games to be played, I will faithfully use my press towel whilst Pattyn Megroin.
Pattyn