Three wise men came to gather in the Tomcat hall; they were once young, and now wise with experience love to reminisce about their glory days’.
Glory days and probably ‘many’ a story were told; as well as recollections from memory (Verse written historical archives; of which the Tomcat organization under the fearless leadership of ‘Jawz’ has done. Side note on the nickname; which I think in retrospect needed to come out MUCH earlier and stuck – verse ‘Stevo’ – maybe the only Tomcat historical miss?…..).
The Jeopardy question late into the ‘Year’ end Christmas Tomcat celebration…’Who has the MOST Stanley’s Cup Rings’?. Whispers are… The Bulldog (I think I heard 8?), but how would one know? The answer is simple. Some time back Stevo had made a beauuutiful booklet featuring ALL Tomcats (Young and now ‘wise’) which also captured the ‘early’ history of the group and those fearless trendsetters whom captured the ‘first’ (Of many for some) ‘Stanley’s Cup Rings’. If you don’t have a copy; or lost yours – fear not; I heard it may be likely we’ll see that masterpiece somehow ‘added’ to the website…Time will tell if the idea does come to fruition.
Why am I talking about ‘Wise men’? Well – as players gathered after a very-VERY-great mini (Count 4 – YES 4, and I may have even missed one SHUTOUTS by Goaltenders). Leading the way was Bender, selected by the ‘4th’ ‘Wiseman’ Snowpants; whom unlike the dreaded ‘algorithm’ selected a stellar cast of superstars like Cribzie, Stevo, Chevy and Bullwinkle (A.K.A Shredder). The Snowpants ‘Snowstorm’ really shut down offence and scored ‘just’ enough goals (Scoring all tournament was hard to come by) to come out victorious; and Bender recorded 3 STRAIGHT SHUTOUTS!!.
The Chico ‘Comets’ backed by Terror (Whom had at least 1 shutout) and Rocky, Jingles, Tonto, Hatchie and Killer proved just as effective in shutting down opponents and only by ‘plus/minus’ goals’ were unable to catch the Snowstorm. Rounding out the ‘mini’ was Animals ‘Avalanche’ with Falcon, Shack, Hurricane, Skippy and Junior. ‘Yes’ Junior graced the annual XMas year end gathering and actually didn’t (Despite ‘some’ time away) look out of place. Regrettably Animals crew was unable to notch a single goal; and while that may seem ‘bad’; the group did NOT get outplayed. Shack would later mutter; “We spent the games wondering whom wanted to score’; while Falcon ‘just’ missed out on recording his own shutout.
Pizza, drinks, comradery, stories and ‘jokes’ (My favorite – Rocky noting Stevo, Sealion and Turk were all sitting together stated; ‘I got to get a picture of these legends’; only to note Shack was in the frame; to which someone quickly yelled out – ‘Just crop him from the frame’).
Good times made even more merrier with players like the Sealion, Turk, Tunzie and Hollywood coming out just for the after hockey festivities. Props as well to Tunzie and Seaion for bringing their ‘plus one’; which consisted of a full case each of beer! THAT – is the Tomcat spirit in FULL display.
Speaking of ‘spirits’ (NOT the ghost of Christmas past kinda sense); but after ‘some’ time off it appears Junior ‘forgot’ the rule about (ALLEGEDLY) throwing his stick. Even SeaLion couldn’t believe it; stating, “I’m sure Junior’s stick was grabbed by some overzealous fan’. Word has it Junior’s fine will be a case. When asked about it later Junior remarked, “I just think Stevo was trying to pad the beer supplies’.
SOOO – hockey has now ‘ended’ for 2022; BUT will return after a ‘short’ 2 week break. During that time, enjoy the holiday season (Merry Xmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Diwali and Chinese New Year). May ‘Santa’ bring you the coveted ‘Rake’s Be A Better D-Man’ or Chevy’s ‘Chilling point shot’ videos – enjoy ‘MANY’ a beverage hoisted with family; and feel free to ‘overindulge’ in all the holiday ‘eating’; cause come 2023 you CAN return to Tomcat hockey to ‘work’ it all off.
I’m feeling the XMas spirit and will end this article with ‘famous’ ‘Home Alone’ Movie quote: ‘Have a Merry Christmas – you filthy animals’
Yurri