Warmest night of the season so far…who would have thought an October evening would be so warm???
Pretty full benches as well, and once again, very even teams.
Rocky’s Ramblers – Shack in net, Hurricane, Rocky, Sunny, Green Giant, Bullwinkle, Chevy, The Professor and Snowpants
Big Ned’s Broncos – Chico in net, Animal, Big Ned, Tonto, Kamikaze, LaBamba, Soupy and Nico (Tonto’s buddy)
Game 1 ended in a victory for the Ramblers 4-3. However, game 2 was won by the Broncos 3-2. The Tomcat Algorithm keeps working.
Shack and Chico were the evening’s top performers by making ESPN-level highlight saves time after time. Them boys can play!
Tonto brought out a friend to be a guest player. Nico showed good speed and hands. A few nicknames are under consideration…The Sensei, Lone Ranger…etc. to be determined in the future if Nico continues to be a part-timer.
Shout out to Kamikaze for showing up with a 24 instead of his assigned 12 pack. Good to see him out for the first time. The evening also saw LaBamba and Sunny play for the first time. Awesome to have most guys back out!
Keep checking the beer list and bring your cases out on assigned night or earlier if you cannot make rhetorical assigned night.
Also, please, please, please reply to Rocky each week. As simple text or email reply is all the Tomcats as of you. Who can’t do that???
Week 3 at the Kapusta went off without a hitch, with Soupy leading the charge in Rocky’s absence. 2 teams, with only 1 spare a side, but you would never know it, as the pace was fast and again, the goal tending stellar!
Chico Cock Knockers – Chevy, Soupy, Killer, Animal, Shack, Chico in net
Terror Taint Ticklers – Snowpants, Tonto, Green Giant, Hurricane, Big Ned, Terror in net
Game 1 end in yet another tie, 4-4, with Chevy scoring top corner with 10 seconds left to tie it up.
Game 2 saw the Cock Knockers come out blazing, taking it 3-1. It has been a season for the goalies so far, as both Chico and Terror have a 1-1-5 record. What a dual it has been! It will come to an end next week, as Terror has to head to Tijuana, Mexico for “work reasons”…we will need a goalie to step up, with Bender still on his sabbatical in PEI, Shack has offered to play if needed, pending Falcons availability.
Hurricane made his debut last night, starting off the 64th season of his career, with no signs of rust! Word is he plans to play until he’s 80, what a legend!
A scary moment for Green Giant out there, as Soupy tried one of his patented 1 on 4 dekes. Sick of the dangles, he tried to step up and put a shoulder into him, but to his surprise, Soupy drove right thru the big man, sending him flying and a yard sale of gloves and stick all over the floor. Giant was quoted afterwards as saying, “it was like hitting a brick wall, if that wall was made up of pizza dough and feta cheese!”
All around another great night for the Tomcats, looking forward to next week!
Cougar Bush
Several active Tomcats, La Bamba, Chevy, May Day, Big Easy, Hatchie, Schooly and some retired Tomcats, Bubbles, Stevo, Sea Lion, Bundura, Bagz and one non Tomcat, Red Squirrel attended Battle Creek for a mini training camp. All players reported in, in extremely top physical shape and were able to withstand the intense demands on them during the four day camp.
Chevy the organizer had this to say, “ We had an amazing time, probably one of the best years ever, I would also say that there may be a few spots opening up, depending on returning attendees and if enough interest we could expand to 16! Something else everyone should know is the trip is going to be a 3 day 2 night trip and comes in under $400 US, that includes golf carts and accommodations.”
Over all this past year, from what I was allowed to know, was that it was a great year, with lots of laughs at South Kitchen and of course at the bar called the Dock. Everyone had fun on the course and this years winner of the two man scramble was La Bamba and Bubbles.
if you are a all interested, it would be up to you to contact Chevy directly to discuss with him, what it would take for you to be put behind the wheel of a Gull Lake golf cart for next year.
The second week of 2023 is in the books. A typical warm September evening at the Kapusta, with lots of sweat and cool down needed between games.
For the first time ever, the Tomcat season kicked off with three straight tied games. Two tied games on opening night and game 1 of night two was also a tie. Talk about even teams!
TEAMS:
Bullwinkle’s Squirrels – Chico in net, The Professor, Tunzie, Rocky, Soupy, Chevy, Bullwinkle
Lizard’s Lizards – Terror in net, Green Giant, Jingles, Animal, Tonto, Lizard, Shack, Big Ned
El Choppo was supposed to play but was a no show. Sounds like a half-case fine.
At the end of game 1, both teams were tied. 3rd tie in a row!
The 3 straight tied games speaks to stellar goalie play. So far, the two netminders have been Chico and Terror. These two have made each goal tough to earn, and have showed no rust from the offseason.
The Lizards had no intention and allowing the tied-game streak continue and poured on the speed in game two. They were all over the Squirrels, giving zero time with the ball. They peppered Chico with shot after shot and ended up winning game two easily. The first win of the season!!
Doc stopped by while he recovers from knee surgery. Being a solid Tomcat, he came with a case of 24 MGDs in hand! Nice job Doc!!!
Doc shares some wisdom with younger Tomcats still developing…Jingles and Lizard
Speaking of Lizard, it was great seeing him back out, along with Tunzie. Both have had family commitments that kept them from the Kapusta floor for most of the previous season. Great to have their youthful speed and hard driving hockey play back on the floor!
After week one, while the Tomcats enjoyed some suds on stage, it was decided that The Professor should be deemed a full time Tomcat. Rocky made that official on stage last night. Welcome officially to the Tomcats Professor!
The Professor
Soupy had the book and will run next Tuesday as Rocky is out. Rocky will still send out the email but any last minute changes next Tuesday need to be communicated to Soupy.
The small turnout on the first night did not prevent the Tomcat season from a great start. As with every first night, lots of hugs and handshakes on stage before hockey, great banter during the games and lots of suds and laughs afterwards.
Future President Soupy picked teams and pretty much showed the Tomcat Algorithm who’s boss by selecting very even teams. The teams were:
Chico’s Black Mustangs – Chico in net, Animal, El Choppo, Soupy, Shack, and Tonto
Terror’s White Camaros – Terror in net, Green Giant, The Professor, Rocky, Snowpants, Bullwinkle and Jingles
Games ended in a 4-4 and 2-2 ties…yes, parity prevailed!
The boys take a breather between gamesDoesn’t matter your shirt colour, always good to share some laughs between games
Thankfully resident handyman and electrician, Sparky, was on hand despite being on IR to start the season. The Sparky Clock stopped working during game 1, causing the Tomcats to go old school and bring out the score flip sign. However, never fear, Sparky grabbed his tools and the clock was back in action in no time!
Sparky coming to the rescue!
Killer also showed up after hockey and brought out his case early as he will miss his assigned night. That is being a solid Tomcat!
Rocky will update the beer list on the website shortly. Until then, refer to email from Rocky from last week to see when your nights are.
A crew of loyal Tomcats spent their Saturday morning prepping the Kapusta for this season. Rocky still needs to hear from a few guys on availability for this Tuesday. 6:30 start.
A crew of 3 working hard while 3 supervisors look on and discuss possible ways to get more productivity out of the 3 doing the work!
$55 start of the year and you will get a gift.
Check the beer schedule and bring your case early if you might miss your weeks.
Chevy took the family on a European tour rumor has it that he has been scouted by the Venice SouthSide Serpents to play in the European league. There was some heavy scouting and contract negotiations (Similar to the Lionel Messi Maimi deal).
Some interesting useless facts- A gondola costs $200,000 Euros (yep just for the boat) there is only one builder of gondolas and located in Venice. A new license to operate a gondola $300,000 Euros; most gondolas are passed down through generations of family members. Italian mafia at its best!
While in Venice – Chevy ran into Snowpants working as a gondola driver. You could hear him belting O Sole Mio down the canals of Venice!
Additional scouting occurred with the Greek team – Mykonos Vagenas but apparently Venus and Aphrodite below created too many distractions and Miss Chevy stymied the Greek deal.
After meeting Venus and Aphrodite additional rumors is that Chevy signed an endorsement/ sponsorship contract with Play Airlines
As it stands right now, Chevy’s bags are packed and unless the Tomcats come back with a sweet counter offer you may not be seeing Chevy on the first night of ball hockey.
Their motto was the clear reason why he signed the deal.
Since asked, Rocky is sharing his whereabouts this summer off-season. Ahead of the season start, Rocky and his family headed west to take in the sights and sounds of San Francisco.
Rocky searched for something to connect back to the Tomcats and found a sign pointing back to the motherland of the Tomcats…Ukraine.
While on this trip, Rocky also scoped out potential venues for a Tomcat West Coast Charity Tour event. The recreation yard of Alcatraz Penitentiary has potential for such an event. The Coliseum in LA was already on the list, along with the flight deck of the USS Midway in San Diego. Stay tuned for more details.
Rocky, Roxy and the Rockettes standing in front of San Francisco’s famous Lombard street (crookedest street in the world).
Footnote: I wondered what it would be like for one of the longest-running Tomcats not to be playing this year, so I asked him.
We met at Stevo’s home in Beautiful Essex Ontario, he asked me to join him in his hot tub, so I said ’sure’.
Question: So what is it like not getting ready to play this year
Answer: Mid way through last year, I knew I could not play this year, I was 5 steps behind everyone, (more like 10) I had it in my mind I was going to be done and knowing what I know about my play last year, I am able to accept that fact, so not getting ready for the upcoming season, means morer BBQ’s, Golf and twisted teas.
Q: Is there one thing you will miss?
A: I think the first night seeing everyone, the magic that occurs on stage when guys walk on and smile and shake hands or hug. I will miss that, I know I will.
Q: What will you do with yourself on Tuesdays?
A: There is a bar here in town and they do country line dancing, It costs $10 a class, I may sign up for that. (He says smiling)
Q: How is your knee feeling?
A: I have good days, with Tiger Balm and Volteren and CBD Oil and it helps, other days it is fine on its own and then of course on other days, I can’t even make a turn when I get up off the couch.
Q: What do you think of this years format where you and 3 other retired Tomcats will be selecting the teams?
A: Wow, what a great idea and what a great way to get the alumni involved. I am looking forward to it.
Q: Is there one thing you will miss the most about Tuesday nights on stage?
A: Hmmm, let’s see, yes, you know, while having beers on stage, after hockey, I will miss tossing beer caps into Bullwinkle’s gym bag when he is not looking.
Q: Is there anything you want to say to the boys, who might read this blog?
A: I am not falling off the face of the earth, I hope to stop in on a Tuesday here and there to say hi and have a beverage. I will miss the camaraderie ….I love those guys, 30 best friends, right there wearing their Tomcat swag.
I asked if I could come back and talk to him midway through the season and get a further perspective and he agreed, in the meantime, he wanted to leave the boys a poem that he came across by an author, by the name of Charles Bukowski. “Tomcats are magic” Stevo told me, as he read me the poem called Nirvana.
Happy August Tomcat Nation. Get out and enjoy the final official month of summer. Before you know it, we will be back at the Kapusta. Expect and email shortly confirming your commitment for the 2023-2024 season. Below are some details to remember:
– Season starts Tuesday September 12th and every Tuesday thereafter. 6:30pm start
-$55 to start, $5 per night after $55 is paid.
– The hall is asking for money at the start of the fall instead at the end of the year. As such, we will need everyone to do their best to have the $55 on or by the first night of hockey.
– look for special games and events throughout the season
– Tournament in February per usual, with new format and instead of captains, 4 retired Tomcats will select teams and serve as Coaches to their team.
Please respond to email as soon as possible so we can confirm numbers and make sure we are ready to start the season
Also, we will ask for volunteers to do a pre-season clean up and hopefully get some different faces contributing this time. Let’s all do our part!
Finally, send in photos of your travels and adventures this off season. We love to see Tomcats in Tomcat gear (preferably) in interesting places.
Rake and Apollo Solaris,who was kind enough to take time out of his busy day for a quick photo, during a recent stop at Santorini Greece as part of The Rake’s ongoing Tomcat’s international scouting program.
Summer plans, send photos Rocky asked in a recent blog and so…..some Tomcats were busy July 13
The 2023 Kobassa Open went swimmingly. The weather made it all happen of course, there were some ‘eyes to the skies’ on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but come Thursday the tournament day, it started out cool then got hot, like the action on the course. It seems St. Felix who is the Patron Saint of Ball Hockey also watches over the Tomcats if they are playing golf. Maybe St. Felix needs four or more Tomcats and…NO RAIN comes.
This years winner of the two person scramble, Sheep Dog and the Sea Lion.
“This has to be one of the best days of my life, the winning is sweet, but to be with all these great guys, what a day this has been.” Stated a openly weeping Sheep Dog.
Top Five finishes, 2) Bubbles and May Day 3) Bagz and the Turk 4) Big Easy and Bucko and 5) Crispy and Stevo. (All past playing Tomcats you will notice)
A strong mention must go to the Stomper and Hollywood for a well fought battle, but in the end they took a last place finish. “What do I care, I got to hang out with a great guys in Hollywood, Lovie and Big Poppa and I got a set of beautiful oven mitts. It does not get any better that that.” Stated the Stomper.
There were 8 brand new players this year, Green Giant, Mack Attack, Mickey (Benders Dad), Heat, Duke, Maxie, Gregor P and the Real Deal Prashil, “It is very nice to see new players joining the tour.” Stated the Bundura, Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Windsor Tomcats.
“The great thing about this day, is that you get to see guys you don’t see every day, like one of the best guys in the world, Lovie.” Stated Hollywood
WHAT A CREW
Big Poppa, The Stomper, Hollywood and Lovie; There was no ‘best looking foursome’, but if there was, it would be this group.
There were 18 teams and in the top 10, all the scores were very very close. In speaking to Stevo, he indicated a great number of guys were very interested in keeping their teammate from this year, “Don’t change a single team, keep it the same.”, was a common suggestion. “I would take Finner again as my partner.” Stated the Heat.
“I would not keep the top 5 teams together, that I can tell you I would move the top five teams around with teams 6-10, but keeping it at the same 36 I have no issues with that.” Indicated Stevo.
IN ENDING
It was truly a great day and all the participants get a huge shout out for playing.
Interesting fact, 58% of participants were Tomcats, past players or present day players.
Special thanks to Belleview for the closest to, to Royal 47 and Duke for the same, to Bundura, Hatchie, Hollywood (for the towels to the new members) May Day, Mickey, Murph and Genie, Sophia at Teaze, Lovie and La Bamba. “Stevo always say no donations required, but if you want to give something next year, he will gladly except what ever you have to donate, why not, he can bundle it to closest to, or to do a draw, who does not like to win a prize as long as it is not a size small golf shirt.” Stated May Day..
All I can say is golf channel is reporting, ‘Another fantastic Kobassa Open’, look for the 2024 ‘Set the Date’ email, sometime in late January 2024.
The Green Giant is one hell of a good looking guy.
Thanks for reading, I’m Ophelia Butts,
CONTEST
Four friends are golfing on a Saturday morning, before they tee off on the first hole, a 558 yard par 5, Phil, takes a ball out of his bag, tees it up and hits it agains a house. The ball ricochets off the house and ends up in the pool that is in the back yard. “My boss’s house.” He says then hits a ball straight down the middle of the fairway, he takes a five on the hole after missing a birdie putt. If this was to happen on the PGA, does 1) his shot down the middle count as a provisional shot? 2) is he hitting 3 off the tee box? 3) Should he have taken a 7 on that hole 4) your answer….
Windsor Tomcats 