By Harry Ballsonue

“HE WHO HAS NOT CHRISTMAS IN HIS HEART WILL NEVER FIND IT UNDER A TREE”
Roy L. Smith

Teams:
The La Bamba Prancers – Sheepdog, Slim Jim, Soupy, Cribzie, Skippy, Sparky and La Bamba

The Beep Vixons – Chico, Tonto, Chevy, The Turk, Kamikaze, The Terror and Beep

The Sunny Comets – The Rake, Falcon, Stevo, The Matador, Killer, Snowpants and Sunny

Hockey was very fast, you could not have asked for better hockey and a better amount of players per team, with two spares each team.  The Sunny Comets took the mini with some early Russian type passing and puck moving.  First mini in a long time, did the guys come for the hockey or for the free pizza and MGD…..Hmmm

The Rake and Stevo look on in amazement after Chevy made his first pass of the season!

“CHRISTMAS ISN’T A SEASON, ITS A FELLING”
Edna Ferber

In the Tomcat Club, the boys sang…Tomcats Forever (for the second time that night), with rosie cheeks and smiles all around, those who had just heard it on stage just before were shocked, surprised and in love with the moment.  “When I first heard the song, I just thought they would keep singing ‘Tomcats Forever,’ over and over, but the song has a real meaning,” stated Tonto.

Tomcats gather for Christmas festivities (pizza and beer) in the Kapusta Kow Palace VIP bar.

Pizza arrived and Tunzie said to Beep, “You’re Veggie pizza is here, it comes with a colouring book.”  Too Funny!

“CHRISTMAS IS A SEAON NOT ONLY OF REJOICING BUY OF REFLECTION”
Winston Churchill

Mention should go out to great job done by The Turk and Zaba for handling the pizza order and to Rocky for putting the party together, “Everyone loves to drink MGD, it just tastes better around Tomcats,” stated Killer.

St Nicholas appeared before the party started to grant Christmas Wishes to the Tomcats…he watched from the stage to see who were good sportsman like players.

Here are some of the St Nick requests made on behalf of some of the Tomcats:

Matador and Tunzie: an NHL tryout

Snowpants…new snow pants

Soupy…another tree named after him at Belleview (he already has one named after him)

Killer…Razor Blade

Turk…2 brand new knees

LaBamba…music while game is being played

Sheepdog…May Day as his full time DD

Falcon…a 5 bedroom house

MayDay…a paid vacation from being Sheepdog’s DD

Sparky…a day planner, so he knows when he is Newfoundland

Sea Lion and Bundura…new prescription glasses

Cribzie…continued devilishly good looks

Beep…A year supply of Gel

“MAYBE CHRISTMAS THE GRINCH THOUGHT, DOESN’T COME FROM A STORE”
Dr. Seuss

The Little Tomcats Tunzie and Matador and Beep were quite excited…

Tomcat Hockey Returns Tuesday January 9, 2018.  Wow, 2018.  This whole thing started in 89, look at your tee shirts and jackets, it says it right there, established in 89.  One more year until 30 years of Tomcat Hockey.

From Rocky, Sparky and Hollywood and the Rest of the Windsor Tomcat Board of Directors and the Management Team, they want to wish every Tomcat, every Tomcat significant other and every Tomcat child, the very best this season, in health and prosperity and to reach for the stars, Merry Christmas to the Tomcat Nation!

Hey wait a minute…that’s Stevo dressed up as a Cardinal! “Still all Christmas wishes will come true,” said Stevo.

Hey, while you are thinking about the Grinch and that maybe Christmas does not actually come from a store, and wow, Stevo really does look like a Cardinal or Bishop, do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue.

Bringers of the Bottles:   Tomcats are supplying, along with Rye and Rum (oh, and pizza!)

Between the Pipes: The Falcon, The Terror and Skippy

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Chevy, Stevo, Killer, Beep, Tonto, Kamikaze, Sparky, Cribzie, Sunny, LaBamba, Sheep Dog, Bulldog, Matador, The Rake, Slim Jim, Chico, The Turk

PUP:  Jingles, Rocky, Spinner, Hurricane, May Day, Doc (Rocky, May Day and Hurricane coming for party)

Healthy Scratches:  Hollywood (coming to party), Tunzie (will try to come to party), Scuz, El Chopo

Sitting in Press Box: 

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  TBD

Party after hockey in the downstairs bar.  Pizza arrives at 9pm.  A great way to cap off 2017!

By Harry Ballsonue

“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same”
Elbert Hubbard

Teams (Made By The Beepster):

Kamikaze Flyers – Kamikaze, Sparky, The Terror, Chevy, La Bamba, Killer, The Turk, Sunny and Soupy
Cribzie Cavaliers – Cribzie, Chico, Stevo, Tunize, The Big Easy, Tonto, Beep and Snowpants

Hockey was very good with the Cribzie Cavaliers taking both games with scores of 8-6 and 9-7.  Goaltending was superb on both ends, don’t let the scores fool you, the Terror and Chico did fantastic jobs minding the wickets.

Speaking of wickets, one of the nets is damaged.  It was believed to be done by Killer who was hacking and wacking at the goalie.  “We can’t prove anything just yet, we are looking for video footage for evidence of the damage done,” stated Tomcat Spokesperson Snowpants.

New Comer The Big Easy did not disappoint the fans, a late round pick a number of years ago, The Big Easy earned his way onto the big club, by working hard and toiling in the minors. He notched a few goals and got a couple of helpers.  “You can tell he has an incredible amount of hockey talent a great addition to the Tomcats,” stated Beep.

The Big Easy made his Tomcat debut after years playing in Tomcat golf events and going to Battle Creek Golfing trip .  “It is indeed a dream come true I can’t believe I’m here…I really can’t…I must be dreaming.” The Big Easy

The last night of Hockey is next week, Tuesday December 19, with the Tomcat Christmas Party (Just Guys Matador) to follow, Tomcats provide everything, pizza, MGD Official beer of the Tomcats, Rye, Rum, laughter, stories and of course the Tomcat Forever song, all you need to have is a Designated Driver to get you home safe and sound.

Minister of Pizza, the Turk will be putting in the order, when asked about hot peppers and pineapple, the Turk responded with, “Pineapple yes, peppers no.”  When asked why, “Cuz peppers are a vegetable, no veggies on the pizza,” Turk yelled.

And speaking of the Turk, the Turk wore a throw back jacket, “We should get those”, Kamikaze suggested.

The Turk goes Old School with a Tomcat Jacket Circa 1996.  “Well yeah …it’s the way to go, the Tomcats should bring these back for everyone,” said a smirking Turk.

I am happy to report that all surveys are now in and once they are tabulated, the results will be published on the Tomcat Website over the Holiday Season.

Did you know that the founder of Google was willing to sell to Excite in 1999 for 1 Million dollars, but Excite turned them down.  Google is worth $527 Billion Dollars today and did you also know that a broken clock is right two times a day.

The 3 on 3 experiment went well, it will be placed in the design stages. “It is being looked at more closely at this time, just to see how tough it would be on the goalies and on the players.  Down the road, maybe it can be introduced if there is a tie game on a Tuesday night.  The format for the Tournament will not change, it will be sudden death with four on four, no gimmicks when it comes to the Stanley’s Cup Tournament,” indicated Tomcat Spokesperson, Snowpants.

Tomcat Hockey starts back up again, Tuesday January 9, 2018.

Google is worth $527 Billion?  What are the Tomcats worth?  Way more then that, and as you are thinking ‘what ???? a broken clock is right, what, two times a day?  While you are thinking about that, do you think I can put my Harry Ballsonue.

Bringers of the Bottles:   Sparky (24), Killer (12), Tunzie – 24 from last week

Between the Pipes: The Terror and Chico

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Chevy, Stevo, El Chopo, Killer, Beep,  Tonto, Kamikaze, Sparky, Cribzie, Sunny, LaBamba, The Turk, Tunzie, The Big Easy

PUP (Physically Unable to Play):  Jingles, Rocky, Spinner, Hurricane, May Day, Doc

Healthy Scratches: Sheepdog, Skippy, Bulldog, Matador, Falcon, Scuz, Hollywood, The Rake

Sitting in Press Box: Slim Jim

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  No Mini…two teams only and see below for a wrinkle/experiment…

REMINDER:  If YOU ARE NOT coming on the 19th, email or text Rocky ASAP

ALSO…

Heads up…Come with an open mind as Stevo is in charge and may add a new wrinkle to hockey as a trial basis…interested in knowing?  Come out to see.

By Harry Ballsonue

“This Is My December”
Linking Park

Great to see such a turnout for the Tomcat Christmas party…  Special thanks to Chevy, Sunny and Snowpants for organizing, thanks to those that went and supported the Tomcats, Beep, Tonto, Sunny, Stevo, Hollywood, Falcon, The Terror, Kamikaze, Doc, Sheepdog, Rocky, Chevy, Sea Lion, Hurricane, Slim Jim, Soupy, Matador, Tunzie, Snowpants and Killer.  And where would any of these fellows be with out the following who attended as well, The Stomper, Roxy, The Unicorn, Lady Di, Mrs Terror, Supermodel Katie, Joad The Toad, Helping Hands, Serta Soft Hands and Mrs Killer.

The three S’s…Stomper Stevo and Serta Soft Hands

The Genie, Stevo, Sea Lion and First Lady Roxy start the festivities off with a toast to the holidays and the Tomcats!

Teams Made By: Matador

The Slim Jims – Captain Slim Jim, Sunny, Cribzie, Matador, Scuz, Stevo, Kamikaze, The Terror

The Pepperets – Captain Chico, The Falcon, Sparky, Chevy, Snowpants, Hollywood, Soupy, 

The Pepperets beat the Slim Jims, by scores of 10-7 and 8-6.  Good clean hockey, you can’t ask for more.

Kamikaze wounded on a Chevy snap shot…”I should get a Purple Heart for this blocked shot,” Kamikaze whimpered.

After Hockey, Hollywood brought out a spread of 4 different kielbasa (keeping the meat theme going), crackers and cheese, he also brought a 30 instead of his 12 and then instead of a 24 he brought another 30 pack as his fine case. “I love the guys, I do it for the guys, I am sorry for throwing my stick, but in the end, I am disappointed in myself for throwing the stick, but happy that the Tomcats could enjoy the beer and kielbasa and cheese,“ stated Hollywood.

Chico was heard saying, “Hey Hollywood, I’m really enjoying your sausage.”

Final week of surveys, they will now be reviewed and results will be provided to the Tomcats, thanks to those for taking the time to complete them. Results will be published during the Christmas Break.

Slim Jim had a stellar night on a losing cause, after the outstanding performance, the Tomcats presented him with his very first Tomcat tee-shirt and with a set of Tomcat Towels, “I can’t say for sure, but I am almost certain, I saw small tears in his eyes when Stevo was giving him the Tomcat garb,” stated Cribzie.

Slim Jim snaps in 3 goals tonight and is presented with a Tomcat Tee Shirt …a Tomcat Towel and some advice…“get yourself some decent gym shorts… this isn’t Strathroy!”

“I can’t thank the Tomcat organization enough, for first of all drafting me, now giving me this great opportunity to play at the Kapusta Kow Palace, on Saturday nights my family and I would sit around our TV and watch the Tomcats play and here I am, now a proud owner of my very first Tomcat Tee shirt and a set of Tomcat Towels, pinch me,” stated Slim Jim!

There is an email coming out about the February tournament I am being told once again, so I am thinking it will be sent out by the organizers, Doc and Kamikaze very soon?? In the mean time, your four Captains for this years tournament are Rocky, Chevy, Cribzie and La Bamba.  Those are some fine Captains, great choice.

Have you told Rocky that you will be attending the December 19 night of hockey and that you will be participating in the festivities after, in pizza, beer, spirits, fun and laughter?  If you have not told him, then please do. Tomcats paying for Pizza, so your cost is nothing, but make sure you have a DD.

Beer List:  make sure you know when your beer night is, if you miss it, bring the beer in the first night that you are back.

Hey, while you are thinking about Chico’s quote and wondering, what did he actually mean when he said, ‘hey Hollywood, I’m really enjoying your sausage,’ do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue?

Bringers of the Bottles:   Tunzie (24), Hollywood (12 + fine case)

Between the Pipes: The Falcon, The Terror and Chico

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Matador, Chevy, Slim Jim, Stevo, El Chopo, Killer, Beep,  Tonto, Kamikaze, Sparky, Cribzie, Sunny, Scuz, Hollywood

PUP (Physically Unable to Play):  Jingles, Rocky (will come from pre-game skate), Spinner, Hurricane, May Day, Doc

Healthy Scratches: Rake, LaBamba, Sheepdog, Skippy, The Turk, Tunzie, Bulldog

Sitting in Press Box: N/A

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  Mini as of now…let’s see what cancellations occur.

REMINDER:  Rocky needs final numbers for the last night of hockey for pizza and drink ordering.  Let him know if you will be there Tuesday December 19th.

By Harry Ballsonue

Teams (made by The Matador):
Matador Jiffy’s – Matador, Bulldog, Tunzie, Snowpants, Chevy, Sheep Dog, Hollywood and the Terror
Killer Crickets – Killer, The Rake, Kamikaze, the Falcon, Beep, Tonto, Soupy, Stevo and El Choppo

The Matador Jiffy’s took the first game 7-4 but then the Killer Crickets took the second 8-7.  Some very pretty passing and some incredible net minding on both ends.

December 1 is the Tomcat Christmas Party at Rock Bottom, That is this Friday.  Tomcats are hoping you paid your money and that you are going. Great way to show support for the brethren and to have a chicken wing and a beer.

February 24, 2018 is Stanley’s Cup Tomcat Tournament expect something soon from Doc and Kamikaze in regards to the tournament.  They are hoping this one will be the biggest and best ever.

4 goalies needed, get your name in when the email comes out. The Terror and the Falcon are both questionable for the tournament this coming year.

3 weeks of hockey left with December 19 being the last night and that is the Tomcat Christmas Party in the Tomcat Club.  Tomcats provide the pizza, the beer, spirits, laughs, fun and maybe a poker game?  If you plan to go please let Rocky know so we can coordinate with The Turk to figure out how much pizza to order.  Rocky needs to know by December 12th at the latest.

Snowpants gets mentioned here, he puts stuff away everyone week, never complains.  Puts away the clock, the sticks and is an inspirational leader.  Tomcats and the fans love the Snowpants!

And speaking of inspirational leaders, Stevo, while not president any longer, still spends countless hours helping the Tomcats.  Stevo came out early last night and set up all on his own:

Razor has now been retired for 3 months, are the Tomcats considering honouring his number?

Whose number will go up there next?

Spinner has been out for a while, along with Rocky, Tomcats are hoping to see them back in the line up soon.

Here are some interesting facts I came across…….

• People with higher incomes generally prefer their toilet paper to come over the roll, while those with lower incomes prefer it to go under.
• A jiffy is an actual unit of time, not just an expression. In computer engineering, it is the length of one cycle of the computer’s system clock (around 10 milliseconds). In chemistry and physics, a jiffy is the amount of time it takes light to travel a distance of one centimeter — about 33.3564 picoseconds.
• You can get a rough estimate of temperature by counting the number of times a cricket chirps in 15 seconds, then adding 37.

As you sit there and think about the toilet paper, and the unit called a Jiffy and the Crickets, are you thinking to your self, wow I learn so much on the Tomcat web site, and as you are thinking that, do you think I can put my Harry Ballsonue?

Bringers of the Bottles:   Soupy (24), Sheepdog (12)

Between the Pipes: The Falcon, The Terror and Hollywood

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Matador, Tonto, Chevy, Slim Jim, Stevo, Bulldog, Tunes, El Chopo, Killer, Rake, Beep,  The Homeless Guy, Kamikaze, Sheepdog

PUP (Physically Unable to Play):  Jingles, Rocky, Spinner, Hurricane, May Day

Healthy Scratches: Cribzie, Sparky, Chico, Sunny, LaBamba, Skippy, Scuz, Doc, The Turk

Sitting in Press Box: N/A

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  Stevo is in charge…Mini as of now…let’s see what cancellations occur.

REMINDER:  Bring your money for the Tomcat Christmas party to give to Sunny…final night to pay.  The event is this Friday!

By Harry Ballsonue

“Tis Better To Have Loved and Lost, then to have never loved at all”
– Alfred Lord Tennyson

SO….Here is who did not play last night, and I am talking regulars: Cribzie, The Terror, Rocky, Sheep Dog, Sparky, May Day, Hollywood, Spinner, Jingles, Kamikaze and Hurricane, Matador, Killer throw in Skippy too for good measure, that is 14 guys and we still had a four spares aside.  The Tomcat organization is steep in numbers. But one has to ask, where are all these guys?

Teams (Made By Beep):

Sunny Kings: Sunny, El Choppo, Helios, Solstice, Bulldog, Soupy, Turk, Skuz and Tunzie

Beep’s Dukes: Beep, Falcon, Snowpants, Tonto, Stevo, La Bamba, Rake, Doc and Chevy

Lots of action at the Kapusta Kow Palace last night as teams did battle, The Sunny Kings took the first game 9-7 with Solstice leading the charge with 5 goals, then in game two, a 10 – 10 tie, but that’s okay, as Solstice chipped in with 4 and Helios got 2, “What an incredible night and both my brother and I got Tomcat tee shirts to boot”, stated Helios.

The Sunny Family is shining bright with sons Helios and Solstice and their favourite Uncle Soupy ..” growing up in Petrolia sure you had these crazy fantasies about. Ring on a professional ball hockey team and playing with your sons like Gordie Howe did, but you never think it will happen to you …pinch me I’m dreaming “. stated Sunny

Doc Rake and La Bamba look on as action is intense on the Kapusta Kow Floor

Shout outs to the Turk who has had a lower body injury but came back to be in the line up, blocking about 42 shots tonight.  Hurricane who is out with an Upper Body Situation and will not be playing until the New Year sometime.  Both Pillars in the Tomcat world so great to see The Turk back and we wish a speedy recovery to the Hurricane.

Dec 1 is Tomcat Christmas Party, PLEASE give your $10 to Sunny, it is a tough go sometimes organizing an event, so please do YOUR part to help and go to the Christmas Party.

Last night of Hockey this year is slated for December 19, if you plan to be there on that night, Tomcats will hold their Tomcat Christmas party in the Tomcat Club, $10 for Pizza, Tomcats will provide the beer and spirits. If you plan on being there, shoot Rocky a quick text to let him know, so that the Minister of Pizza, The Turk knows how much Pizza to order.

February 24, 2018 The Windsor Tomcats will be holding their annual Stanley’s’ Cup tournament, Doc and the Kamikaze will be asking for participants.  Mark this important date off on your calendar and be ready to say ‘yes’ to play.  One of the questions they are asking is, do guys want to stay at the Kapusta Kow and drink beer and get pizza there or do they want to go to a bar, if you have an opnion or care one way or another then please let Doc or Kamikaze know.

Doc and Snowpants made an announcement on stage after hockey that they were going to perform at Caesars Windsor in the new year, they have been raising Siberian Tigers now for quite some time and are very interested in showing them off…” so please come and watch our show “ stated a beaming Snowpants

A survey about the Web Site was disturbed for everyone to respond, if you have not received your survey, you will next week.  “Thanks to those, who have already taken the time to review it and submit it, very much appreciated, I think we will post the results not he web site”, State Stevo.

Did you know that the most common Street in America is Second Street and that the most popular 3 dog names are Lady, King and Duke and that Coke-Cola was originally Green.

While you are thinking, I grew up on Second Street and we had a Dog named King do you think I can put my Harry Ballsonue.

Bringers of the Bottles:   Sunny (24), Falcon (12)

Between the Pipes: The Falcon, Scuz and ???

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Matador, Tonto, Sunny, Chevy, Doc, Slim Jim, Stevo, Bulldog, Tunes, El Chopo, LaBamba, Killer, Rake, Beep, Helios, Solstice (Sunny’s boys), The Homeless Guy, The Turk

PUP (Physically Unable to Play):  Jingles, Rocky, Spinner, Hurricane, May Day

Healthy Scratches: Hollywood, Cribzie, Sparky, Chico, Kamikaze, Sheepdog, The Terror

Sitting in Press Box: N/A

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  Stevo is in charge…Mini as of now…let’s see what cancellations occur.

REMINDER:  Bring your money for the Tomcat Christmas party to give to Sunny

By Harry Ballsonue

Teams:

Matador Lebanese Freedom Fighters: Matador, Captain, Skull, Cribzie, El Chippo, Falcon, Doc, Bulldog and Tunzie

Chico Cavaliers: Chico, Captain, The Terror, Chevy, Snowpants, Soupy, Sparky, Kamikaze and Stevo

Good Action on the Kapusta Kow Floor, Tuesday night, the Matador Lebanese Freedom Fighters took the night 8-5 and then 8-6.

“It was an honour playing for the Lebanese Freedom Fighters and for my captain, The Matador”…Tunzie.

“It’s a great thrill playing for the team i grew up cheering on…the Windsor Tomcats” said The Terror, wearing the latest Tomcat swag.

“I played 3 years in the Bosnian league,” said Kamikaze

Sunny sent out an email to everyone about the Christmas Party, please note what he wrote:

Fellow Tomcats,

The Tomcat Christmas Party has been set for Friday December 1 at Rock Bottom. Start time for the event will be at 8pm and 1 round of appetizers will come out at 9pm.

 The cost will be $10 per person and spouses and significant others are welcome to attend. There will be no cost to anyone who is vegetarian, vegan or adhering to a diet that restricts then from eating anything ordered.If you have not already reached out to me with your availability please do so within the next week. 

I WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ALL THOSE ATTENDING DURING THE NEXT TWO TUESDAYS (NOV 21 & 28) AT HOCKEY. PLEASE HAVE YOUR PAYMENT READY OR ARRANGE TO GET IT THERE IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO HOCKEY.

Thanks,

Ministers of the Christmas Party
Chevy, Snowpants and Sunny

Funny moment on the Cavaliers bench, when Nick Names were discussed, some of the Cavaliers were saying I will play with Mathews, and I will be Mitch Marner and I will play with Zach Hyman and Chico said, “I want that nick name, Hyman, can you imagine, Hi dear, my nick name is no longer Chico it’s now Hyman.”  The full bench had a good chuckle on that one.

And speaking of Nicknames…..Also discussed was where was the Homeless Guy, he never showed up to play, thus, the discussion about his nick name and that it really should be, ‘The Homeless Guy’, by a vote of 21 to 1 it was decided to change his name from Tonto to The Homeless Guy (see always show up, or your nick name might get changed).

Tomcat Golf Banquet is Wednesday night at the Rock Bottom.  You had to have played at least one round to qualify to attend the banquet. “We should have a pretty good crowd out for the Banquet”, stated Golf Commissioner and Golf Banquet Organizer, May Day. I won’t be covering the event, but I know a follow colleague of mine Dick Fitzwell.

Tomcats always want to teach….a poem about a ship.

Something to consider…Tomcats always bringing your attention to….something!

What do they call Royale with Cheese in Paris?

While you are thinking of the Homeless Guy not being there and having his name changed and the Royale with Cheese, do you think I could put my Harry Ballsonue.

Bringers of the Bottles:   Tomcats (24), Chico (12)

Between the Pipes: The Falcon, The Terror and Chico

Starting Line Up:  Soupy, Snowpants, Matador, Tonto, Sunny, Sparky, Chevy, Cribzie, Doc, Slim Jim, Stevo, Kamikaze, Bulldog, Tunes, El Chopo, Scuz

PUP (Physically Unable to Play):  Jingles, Rocky, The Turk, Spinner, Hurricane, May Day

Healthy Scratches: LaBamba, Hollywood, Sheepdog, Killer, Rake, Beep

Sitting in Press Box: N/A

With the Bad Axe Bearcats, waiting to be called up:  Bullwinkle

Captains if there is a Mini:  Sparky is in charge…Mini as of now…let’s see what cancellations occur.