With only four weeks of tomcat Hockey left, the boys were buzzing on Tuesday night.
Some great action, some great teams, as selected by Tonto and Soupy, made for an excellent night of hockey!
Kamikaze Dusters – Tonto, Hurricane, Animal, Chevy, kamikaze, Jingles, Terror in net
Big Ned Moppers – Soupy, Bender (playing out), Killer, Snowpants, Green Giant, Big Ned, Falcon in net
The Dusters got an early lead in the first game with three goals in the first five minutes. But the moppers battled hard, and after a flurry of goals from big Ned, took the first game 8-5.
The second game started out the same as the first with the dusters coming out Strong, edging out the moppers 6-5.
Having 2 goalies already playing for the night, Bender agreed to play out his first time ever playing as a defenseman. He was very solid out there, jumping into the rush and getting back to defend when needed. Some said he looked like Chico out there, just without the sex appeal. He got his first ever point as a tomcat, a second assist, after dumping the ball in the corner. He immediately grabbed the ball and threw it to the bench to keep as a souvenir.
1st star of the night went to big Ned, who must’ve scored 8 goals with 0 assists. Soupy claims he set him up on every goal and now professes he is a “pass first” player.
The name, the moppers is only fitting given the mess left on stage from the women watching big Ned dominate on the floor! As for the Dusters, their fans were bone dry from their boring play on the court!
After hockey, the guys were all on stage, enjoying landsharks, coronas, and pizza ordered by Tonto, what a solid guy!
It was one of the latest nights in recent tomcat history, almost like the purple’s days, With Jingles, Soupy, Kamikaze, Terror, and Green Giant keeping the place open well after most left! A few bevies, and a lot of laughs, made for an awesome night!
Guest Column by Haida d’Salami
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As typical after the tournament, the turnout was lower than normal with one spare on one team, two on the other. However, the pace of hockey was quick and there was no shortage of great plays.
Teams:
Bullwinkle’s Ballers – Bender, Chevy, Killer, Rocky, Tonto, Jingles and Bullwinkle
Matador’s Mercenaries – Terror, The Splitter, Animal, Sunny, Snowpants and Matador
While the Ballers took each game, the games were close and the goal tending was phenomenal. Terror and Bender made great save after great save all night long.
Matador brought out a new young gun, ultimately named The Splitter due to his penchant for stick handling the ball through his legs. Great energy and skills for a first-time player on the Kapusta floor. Maybe we have a new backup player for the future?
Huge shoutout to Killer who paid for everyone…yes, he paid everyone’s fee for the night. What a guy!
Reminder – Beer stock is low as several people have missed recent beer weeks due to not playing. Please check the list and bring your beer if you missed recently.
Only 4 more nights of hockey left. Last night of play for the season is April 18th. That night, is “goalies draft” so we’ll let goalies pick the teams on the final night. Maybe one more special night before then? Toronto vs. Detroit? Young vs. Old?
Kapusta Open:
From the Minister of Blocked Shots, get your foursomes ready for the Kapusta Open. See below:
March ‘break’ doesn’t apply to the Tomcats; but Management will admit it took some clever ‘player development call up’s’ courtesy of the Falcon to even make the night happen. ‘Cue’ the ‘young guns’ and future face of the Tomcats via the Falcons brood of youngsters who suited up to even out the teams sans a spare a side. The ‘algorithm’ was put aside as Killer and Bullwinkle divvied up the youngsters evenly – which actually worked out to each team taking a game a piece. ‘Seasoned’ Tomcats even dubbed the newcomers ‘Not yet’, ‘Snowman’ and ‘Little Bird’. You know you’ve been accepted by the Tomcat family when they ‘knight’ you with a nickname – and thankfully the theme song of ‘Tomcats Forever’ wasn’t busted out.
Bullwinkle’s Bullhorns featured Shack, Snowpants, Skippy, ‘Not Yet’ and Snowman’ in net; whilst the Killer Kinghorns saw Tonto, Animal, Hurricane, ‘Little Bird’ and Bender. The Kinghorns dominated the first game taking it 4-1 and the Bullhorns squeaked out a 5-4 win courtesy of Bullwinkle’s goal explosions.
I noted the Eagle sat out for the debut of the ‘Snowman’ and asked if that was due to a pending retirement. His reply: ‘No; I have a few more rings and trophies to chase first; beside ‘Snowman’ here’s been chirping me these games are easy’. What a true Tomcat – sitting it out so the Tomcat future goaltending could be vetted. I hear after the game as the ‘Snowman’ did get a win he was allowed to partake in some ‘after game stage bevies’. When I asked Snowman his thoughts on the game he sheepishly admitted; ‘the pace was fast and man did I swear’.
Speaking is true leadership I hear Rocky (Despite and actually while skiing) texted to make sure the night went off without a hitch. Even away Rocky continues to display leadership; which must make Stevo proud.
While some of you were out sunning yourselves in some tropical destination; some dedicated Tomcat players made this March break One to not forget; and while your wishing you showed up to play, I noticed a Yuri Handzonmecac
Yuri
By Stevo
I asked Rocky if I could write a blog, so here it is.
First of all, what a great tournament, I have played in many of these and I can tell you from personal experience that this was one of the best tournaments I was a part of, not because I scored on Chico, but because it was played with great intensity but no shenanigans. You do not see that all the time. I watched from the opening face off, of the first game and could not believe how quick the action was, but it was all done properly and fairly. The players having great respect for each other.
Secondly, I wanted to personally thank the captains, Hatchie, Animal, Green Giant and Big Easy, I loved that you guys embraced the teams and got tee shirts made using your Tomcat nicknames, impressive. There was not a millisecond of doubt on your part, you selected team names and stepped in with cleverly designed team names/logos and tee shirts.
Thirdly, congratulations to the Green Giant Stalkers. Love the name and love the shirt. During the games and after the final game I don’t know if I have seen a captain with a perma smile like the Green Giant had. You can tell he was super thrilled to win and when he took those first sips from Stanley’s Cup his team looked on proudly on their captain.
I want to thank each and every Tomcat present and past for some fantastic tournament memories, from me throwing my gloves at the Legend for rouging me up in front of the net, to Ditty streaking, to all the great Champions and participants and to Rocky, Soupy Kamikaze and Jingles for organizing.
Ibuprofen, CBD/THC oil on my knee (and a number of beers, Bourbon and Rye and waters at Hatchie house after, had me feeling pretty good Saturday night and it had me thinking, maybe I could do this again. But then Sunday came and the knees were screaming at me, “That was your last tournament you jerk.”
Someone said, “You should pull a Tom Brady and come out of retirement in the summer and play again.” I smiled at that one. You the reader has no idea how much I still want to play and have a beer on stage after and tell and listen to the stories, but old age and years of soccer and Ukrainian dancing is catching up with this cowboy. (and don’t forget 30 years of Tomcat hockey)
I have not ruled out playing a Tuesday here and there next year, but every Tuesday and the tournament is out of the question.
I was totally awed and humbled when presented with the plaque. You have no idea how close I came to shedding large crocodile tears….I originally thought I would hang the plaque in my office, but I don’t go in there every day, but I do go in my garage and so the plaque has been proudly displayed above the entrance door leading from my garage into my home. (See photo below)
I loved that my son Big Ned was in the audience and saw first hand the love the Tomcats show. Even my dear friend, ex Tomcat and Stanley’s Cup / Tecumseh Stingers Captain and Champion, the Sea Lion was there to watch the presentation. I was ecstatic to see all the smiling faces of all the Tomcats…. You Guys Are Truly the MVP’s, you truly are and I am honoured to call you my dear friends. I love each and every one of you, I truly do.
Thank you so much for the love and for being such tremendous, remarkable and extraordinary people.
I wanted to share one more thing with you, a Gary Larson, I thought/think its funny.
Thanks for reading, thanks for being such great Tomcats, Stay Beautiful.