For nearly three decades the Tomcat organization has chugged along unbreakable, consistent, reliable.   Some would say it would be like finding an old record which has stood in the books only to be looked at in awe and not spoken of being broken.  Same could be said with trying to remember the last time a Tuesday night has had to be cancelled.  Trouble is – it just happened.  

Management, experts and think tanks have put forth a number of theories:  

Is it due to the ‘median’ (And undisclosed) ‘average’ age of the players, who now have family and work commitments?

Is it due to that same average player ‘age’ question which can be pointed towards the number of players on the ‘IR’ list?   

Was it due to the pivotal game 4 of the World Series (Which is my bet line), Or is it simply a string of bad timing that several of the staple/reliable tenders just happen to all be injured?

Adding to the goalie problem is the disappearance of Tomcat players also battling injuries, work and family commitments.  Add it all together and where once there were seasons with several ‘mini tournaments’, we now have a season forecasting ‘week to week’ evaluations ensuring enough players and goalies are lined up. 

Tough calls ahead – does Management recruit more players and risk too many guys showing up. Will more ‘part-time’ spots be opened to help alleviate shortages? 

So – bad news:  Tuesday ‘was’ cancelled.  Good news? Im confident the required move was a ‘rarity’ and not likely to occur again this season.  Why?  Management has confirmed a new tender has been secured and they will make their debut this coming Tuesday . Scouting reports indicate he’s a ‘true’ butterfly tender and is eager to challenge legends such as Falcon, Razor and Bender for playing time. When he was told the Tomcats enjoy reminiscing after a game on stage with ‘beverages’, I swear I saw him drool.  I’m pretty confident he’ll fit right in.  Vegas odds already project he’ll secure a first period shut out within 5 full games played. 

Best part?  I’m hoping Tuesdays required full and half case will be added to this coming weeks ‘supply’. 

Side bet:  After missing a rare week off, Tomcat players come out in full force and we see our seasons first mini tournament.  When Rocky asks who’s coming this week – answer the call and come see if this ‘try out’ goalie lives up to the hype. 

Special write up by Menorah Fornix 

The Tomcats finally had a decent amount of guys playing to avoid 3-on-3 or running hot with 1 or no subs. This made for a very fast-paced evening with lots of pretty passing, goals and saves.

Both Bender and Shack were between the pipes once again. Thank God for these two net minders. Without them so far, there were not be hockey to play.

However, next week, Shack is unable to play so will the Tomcats have another goalie to actually play? Time will tell.

Teams from last night were:

Chevy’s Black Corvettes – Shack in net, Rocky, Doc, Professor, Bullwinkle, Soupy and Chevy

Big Ned’s White Vipers – Bender in net, Tonto, Smiley, Hobbs, Animal, Snowpants and Bid Ned

The first game was taken by the Black Corvettes. While older on paper, the Corvettes showed game smarts and some good old grit to hold off the younger Vipers.

In the second game, the Vipers had to drop a player (Hobbs) so Soupy moved over to the Vipers for the final period. While the Birthday Boy Soupy made an impact, the Corvettes were able to prevail in game two as well. “Being half the age of Snowpants now, I feel I am 90% more efficient than one-quarter of the Tomcats 10% or more older than men’” explained Soupy, the birthday boy. Tomcat statisticians and on-contract data scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what Soupy was trying to convey.

Both Soupy and Rocky are out next week so Bullwinkle will run the operations.

Please, please, please check the beer list and make sure you have lived up to your responsibilities. Also, respond to Rocky as fast as possible each week. It makes Tuesday planning much easier.

Until next time,

Tomcats Forever!

Slightly better turnout this week than last where the Tomcats were able to play the regular 4-on-4 with a sub each (at least for the first game). Not quite as hot this week finally and seems like game speed is picking up as the boys start to get more into season shape.

Teams:

Swayze’s Swords – Shack in net, Animal, Swayze, Hobbs, Rocky and Tonto

Professor’s Pistols – Bender in net, Chevy, Soupy, Professor and Bullwinkle

Despite Bender’s concerns that the Pistols were out matched as the teams warmed up, the Pistols had no issues taking game one. Will it ended in a 7-6 score, the Swords were out early, but then gave up the lead and never gained it back.

Bender and Shack played stellar and the score is not indicative of how many shots were taken.

Each team lost a player after game one so 3-on-3 to 3 was played where the Swords prevailed.

Ice maker is functioning again so the beer was cold on stage. Speaking of beer, have you checked the list yet? Have you missed your night? Make sure the Tomcats are made whole.

Due to lower turnout, the Tomcats need to recruit. Have any good guys to bring out that will be a great Tomcat addition (think blending in nicely on stage after hockey)? Sounds like Bullwinkle and Swayze each have a guy. Let Rocky know. Some Tomcats with injuries or other commitments are supposed to be out soon, so that should help.

Until next week, Tomcats Forever!

Another hot one at the Kapusta last night. Making the heat even hotter…more running. The boys had to run more as we played 3-on-3 due to low turnout. Injuries, other commitments, nice weather, etc. might be keeping Tomcats from playing. Also, Flintstone was a no-show without letting Rocky know so is our first 6-pack fine of the year.

Shack’s Black Bandits – Shack in net, Soupy, Snowpants, Smiley, The Professor and would have included Flintstone

Bender’s White Lions – Bender in net, Hobbs, Tonto, Animal and Rocky

A single game was played with plenty of breaks taken. while the Lions jumped out to an early lead, the Bandits were too much and ultimately took the night by a score of 7-4.

Shack made some impressive saves to hold off the Lions pretty handedly. Rocky and Soupy made their season debuts and the running made it tough. “I should have done more pre-season running,” said an exhausted Rocky during the second break. “I am a little embarrassed this is kicking my ass so much,” he went on to say.

The hot night took an even darker turn on stage…no ice for the beer so warm beer was the only option. Seems like Tomcats do not like warm beer. We will need to bring ice each night until the hall fixes the ice maker. Snowpants offered to bring ice next week. PLEASE check the beer schedule and bring in your case on time or early.

Let’s hope the numbers grow next week. If you have a good Tomcat candidate, let Soupy and Rocky know. We might need to recruit more.

Until next week,

Tomcats Forever