Windsor Tomcats

This year, the Board of Directors consisted of, The Rake, Razor, Rocky, Jingles,, Snowpants, Hollywood and me. Next year it may be different, but for now, this is what we have. One point, right at the ‘get go’, The Rake’s daughter was celebrating a birthday but The Rake still found time to come out to the meeting and be a participant. Solid move by the Rake!

What I would like to do in this blog is to provide you with information as to some of the aspects discussed and some of the new ‘rules’, ‘ideas’ and ‘thoughts’ that have been adopted.

Here we go….

Christmas Party (for Tomcats and significant other), Friday November 29, 2013, Organizers, Chevy, Sunny and Snowpants. Tournament Captains, will not be given a present from Tomcats, starting in this year’s tournament. Delay of Game, (by shooting/flicking the ball into the player bench) will be a 30 second penalty in Mini and a 1 minute penalty in the Stanley’s Cup Tournament. Behind the Net Safety Zone to be once again, explained in a future issue of the St. Felix. Dead Ball Rule, (Reinforced)  if the ball is shot out of play, team that gets it, is to wait for the other team to be in place for play to begin. Ball On Net Rule (Reinforced) You get one wack at the ball if it is on at the back of a net.

No Ref for first mini of next year to see if players can police themselves. You must have an email address that will give you updates to Tomcat information on an ongoing basis, your best email will be sought out by Rocky and used.

Doc has been selected as an assistant to me for the tournament. He will observe, learn, watch and study how everything is done in preparation for the tournament and will then take over as the Tournament Co-Ordinator for the 2015 Stanley’s Cup Tournament.

3 minute tie breaker for all timed games, (mini or regular Tuesday night two team game). The clock will be set to go for 3 minutes of overtime and it will be a 3-3 (plus a goalie) affair. If it remains a tie, it will be recorded as a tie. If a goal is scored in OT. Team that wins will get two points, team that loses will get one point. (This is only for Tuesday night) Stanley’s Cup Tournament will remain the same. If a tie in the Championship, four on four play…to determine a winner. Sudden death until someone scores.

7 Minute Periods; Tuesday night, Mini Tournaments will now be 7 minutes in length, rather than 6 minutes.  The score clock will be started up (for 2 Minutes) between periods, and teams will commence play after the two minutes are done.

Stanley’s Cup Tournament to be held, Saturday February 22, 2014. Captain for the tournament:  Snowpants Snow Squalls, Jingles Jets, Lovieville Flyers and the Stevo Stingrays.

Tomcat Skipjack Game; Tomcats not sold on participating in this event for 2014, the game will be put to a vote by all members, instead of just the Board of Directors determining it’s faith.

Blogs by Tomcats, each member is encouraged to write a blog, if they want to and submit it to Rocky. You do not have to, if you do not wish to.

Information about you: Rocky will be sending out an email to each and every Tomcat asking them some ‘Human Interest’ questions such as ‘if someone was to play you in a movie, who would it be’, ‘ a pet peeve’, and ‘If you can be anyone who would you be’. Questions like that.  The information that YOU provide will be used in the ‘Tomcat Of The Week’ segment. So please respond back to Rocky when you get your list of questions.

Past Issues of St. Felix are to be placed on the Tomcat Web Site. It will be done slowly, but we hope to get the past 5 years up for all to see by the end of the summer.

That is all there is for now.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Summer, we are back on September 17, 2013. 6:30 Start.

Tomcats Forever

Stevo

This blog is to fill you in on what the survey’s revealed and to provide information on some other stuff too.  First of all a big thanks to everyone who filled out a survey.  I received 29 of them, which, in itself is quite remarkable.

SO, where do I begin.  I think with the most interesting; Doc would like to be President. He was the only one that ticked that tab and I thank him for considering it. He may very well become the new president of the Tomcats. In the near term, Doc will be tasked to help plan the annual Stanley’s Cup Tournament – a key task for any potential President.  A number of you expressed interest in being on the Board of Directors and I have invited some from that list to be on the Board.

The St. Felix is to stay.  Only one person, indicated ‘I think website has taken over’, the rest said comments such as ‘Stays, Keep it, should not be eliminated, keep it going, yes-love it, Always a good read, yes, great source of information and amusement, love the St. Felix, very good read,  keep it coming, it can be fun reading, keep it, keep it going, enjoy it, it is valuable resource, it is great, still look forward to it and then Killer said ” simply put, you don’t know what you’ve got until it is gone”. I put Killer’s name to his quote, because in all the responses about do you visit the web sit and how many times a week, Killer was the only one to say, he does not because he does not think to do so.

So, when it comes to the web site, I was astonished at how many said they visit it all the time, (Almost everyone) and the amount of times people go on it: 3-6, 3-4, 2-3, 7, 5, 3-4, 3, 6,  Some said, 1-2 and only a couple said once a week. I think it is great that people are going on it and Rocky reports to me on the number of hits we get during some portions of the season, so, both Rocky and I thank you for going on.  Rocky deserves pretty much all the credit, as he is the one that puts the stuff up and runs the site. Thanks of course to Harry, Heywood, Yuri, Bloggie and all the rest who contribute.

So here is some stuff that I want everyone to know….not everyone wants to be a Captain on a Tuesday night for the mini and some do not want to be a Captain for the main tournament. I respect that, so, if asked to be one on a Tuesday, please just tell me, “I do not wish to be a Captain”. I have always thought sharing and spreading the Captaincy was the way to get everyone involved…but I can see that, that may not be the case, so I will not be offended if you turn the Captaincy down.

As for Comments on Tuesday night hockey, everyone loves it. Which is great to hear. There were some comments about scaling back the players and that the best game is/was 2 teams on a Tuesday and 2 spares a side.  I totally agree with those comments and if I could get the same 14-16 guys to come out each week, with out anyone ever bailing, then I would do that, but that is not reality.  With shift work, child care issues, injuries, illnesses, and other duties to be looked after, I know not everyone can make it each and every Tuesday, thus the number of guys that we have.

I can tell you that we will not be letting anyone new join this year and that Ogie remains as a part time player.  Other Part time players this year also include, Crow,  Killer, La Bamba,  Mez and Skippy. So, with these 4 on part time status…we will have pretty good turnouts and unfortunately Mini’s.

But on the plus side, and there is a reason for everything,  we all love each other and there is not a greater group of 38 guys any where in Essex County, no check that, Canada…no hold on…the World…so we are lucky to all know each other and be friends, cuz “no man is a failure who has friends”…(Clarence the Angel said that, from ‘Its a Wonderful Life’)

Two quick points, June 14 is the Tomcat Golf Day, there will be an email coming out, and Snowpants, the Minister of Golf-Pyrotechnics, Heating and Cooling and Swiftering is in charge of that, so please get a hold of him, I really would love to see us have our largest group of golfers ever….even if you don’t really golf, come on out and participate.

As for Blogs to continue in the summer, I leave that up to you. 38 possible bloggers, as 38 jackets were handed out.  I am not asking anyone to do anything that they do not want to, feel uncomfortable doing…but if you wanted to write something, so that Rocky could post it up on a Wednesday, Rocky’s email is ccomartin5@cogeco.ca feel free to send him a picture of yourself in your Speedo, a picture of your wife in her Speedo, a story about you farting in a hot tub and diarrhea shit coming out, whatever you, as a Tomcat want to write about.  Write about it.  Blue Sky It. and always end it,  Tomcats Forever!

Click here to read the latest St. Felix.

                          Points         Behind
Hurricanes   609                 —-
Hollywood   594                 13
Soupy            574                 35
Stevo              558                51
Matador        533                 76
Lovie               530                79
Sparky               520             89

Tomcats and friends had lots of fun at this year’s Outdoor Classic.  See you in September!!!!

by Harry Ballsonue

Originally conceived, the thought was to get a 25^th Anniversary jacket of some sort, and to save some money towards the purchase, so that each Tomcat, young and old, rookie or veteran, part time or full time, would only have to pay 25 dollars. (Get it, pay 25 dollars for the 25^th anniversary jacket).  The plan  was  conceived about 2 years ago was indeed achievable and low and behold, the jackets were distributed on the last night of the 2012-2013 Season, thus being receivable.

Unbelievable that the season has come to an end.    What am I going to do with out the My Tomcats.

In the ‘Speeches ‘ department, Hollywood thanks, Crow for the Lake Shore Auto shirts, he thanks, Markia for wearing the leopard shirt at the bar, ( and looking so sexy)  he thanks Jingles, for getting the arena, Bulldog for organizing the event, Snowpants for hogging the ice time, Soupy for getting a haircut at the Canadian Institute for the Blind and he thanked all the ‘outside’ players for playing. 

Hockey:  Well, it was interesting, team White Piggies, lead 10-6 at the start of the third period. Team Black Hogs, working on all cylinders, scored 7 unanswered goals to lead 13-10.  White then scored a goal but it was too little, too late and the Black Hogs won the game 13-11. “I really wanted to take them to overtime, after they scored those 7 goals, I thought, ‘man, if we can just pop one’, but it was not meant to be” indicated the Matador, who looked stunning in his new Tomcat 25th anniversary jacket!

Presentation Department: In the presentation department, Bulldog did a stellar job presenting……Skippy won MVP for best goalie, Beep won MVP for the White Piggies and Soupy won MVP for the Black Hogs.

Tomcat Song: And in case  you were wondering, if the Tomcats sang ‘Tomcats Forever’ at the Dom Polski……the answer is ‘Of Course’.

Jackets: Whilst in the drizzle of the rain, (planned by the Tomcats to cool all the players down) the brand new, spanky clean Tomcat 25th Anniversary Jacket was handed out. “Man do they look sharp”, indicated Chevy. “Wow, Nice Job Hollywood” stated Snowpants and yes, the Matador looked stunning, losing 20 pounds by just wearing his jacket with the collar up.

Chevy, Hurricane and The Turk shown with ‘photoshopped’ umbrella’s in their hands…come on, do you really think these tough Tomcats would need an umbrella to enjoy a drink in the rain???

Ogie and some of the boys enjoy a drink after the game and before heading into the Dom Polski to celebrate the end of another fantastic Tomcat season.

The jackets look great and 38 were purchased and distributed to the Tomcats. “You got to love this organization” stated Sparky, “We ask for 25 dollars for an 80 dollar jacket, you really got to think that is special” concluded Sparky. 

Next blog, should be nest week sometime, but after that, it will be a quiet summer, unless you, the Tomcat want to submit something.,…anything.

The old and the young…Stevo and Youngblood under the umbrella.

“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself”, Abraham Lincoln had said that.  When it comes to the Tomcats, there is no smell, just a breath of fresh air. Tomcats want to thank Crow for sponsoring the outdoor game and providing beautiful long sleeve shirts to all participants.

So as this year comes to a close, I believe Stevo is going to do the next blog and provide everyone with the results of the surveys, I leave you with some interesting thoughts, that you can talk about today to someone, who is less interesting than you.

Did you know…

• It is physically impossible for pigs to look to the sky
• Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, 2 rats could have over a million descendants.
• The cockroach can live 9 days without its head before starving.
• The ostrich’s eye is bigger than it’s brain. 
• Ants do not sleep
• The brain size of a crocodile is the same size as your thumb
• Chevy’s and Spinner’s shot has been clocked at 110 km/hr
• A mosquito can ‘smell’ the human blood that it wants to make as a meal from a distance of 50 kilometers.  

I don’t know if any of this is true, but I do know, that I would love to put my Harry Ballosonue.

The Tomcats know it is the annual Outdoor Classic.  East vs West…White vs Black.  6:00pm Sharp!!!  Lansbeary Park

WEST – Wearing White :     

Team Captain: Nick Lelyk
Assistant Captain: Ken Cribbley
Honourary Coach: Rex Garnet Albert

EAST – Wearing Black:

Team Captain: Chevy
Assistant Captain:  Hollywood
Honourary Coach: Bob The Legend Skortz

New Format:

– 6 players out plus a goalie -each team – $10 each to play

– 3 -25 minute running time periods

– 1 continuous Game- No shoot unless the game ends in a tie- still tie…5 minute sudden death followed by NHL style shoot

-Teams will be created from Tomcat Tournament Stanley’s Cup Teams (team 1 and 4) vs. (team 2 and 3)

– Additional players can be added-bring your brother, friend, neighbor. Some younger players can be added (15 years and up open to sons /daughters and nephews/nieces etc.)

Awards for: -MVP West, MVP East. Goalie MVP-Door prizes – after party at Dom Polski’s across the street

Good friend and fellow sports writer, Harry Ballsonue, asked me to step in and cover this week’s Tomcat game as he is off on special assignment to cover the possible establishment of a Tomcat farm club team in Puerto Rico.  If Jamaicans can bobsled, then you better damn well believe Puerto Ricans can be trained to play hockey. 

I enjoyed by view from the media suite high above the Kapusta Kow floor, and the free hors d’oeuvres and drinks were nothing to sneeze at.  Quite frankly I was glad Harry was not there as I have no interest in having his balls on me.

While the final game of the 2012-2013 season at the Kapusta did not turn out to be a mini, Tomcat Nation was still provided some stellar hockey.  A traditional Black vs. White with games played to 7 proved that even without the time pressure of mini games, the play can be fast and furious.  There was no let up in this one, and sweat-soaked shirts were everywhere.  The teams suited up this way:

Men in Black – Hurricane, Chevy, Rake, Rocky, Cribz, Doc, Spinner, Ogie, and Razor
White Men Can’t Jump – Hollywood, Soupy, Bulldog, Turk, Mez, Chico, Sparky and the Falcon

The rising Spring temperatures, which made for a hot and sweaty evening in the old Palace, didn’t stop both goalies from making tremendous saves all night long.  In the first game, Falcon was peppered with shots by the MIB.  The MIB jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, only to see the vertical-leap challenged gang claw their way back and take the lead 4-6.  Even though MIB kept the shots coming, Falcon was stopping everything.  In a moment of frustration, Chevy slammed his stick against the net and wall.  This seemed to be a rallying cry as the MIB mustered a brief rally of their own, to bring the game to 6-6 tie.  However, WMCJ had the last laugh taking the game 6-7.  Afterwards, Mez was heard saying “that was the longest game ever played.”  Of course, he says that after every game that takes more than 30 minutes. 

After a brief break to allow the goalies to refill their water bottles and mop the sweat from their faces, the second game was underway.  Determined to avenge the earlier loss, MIB stormed out to another lead, 3-1.  Once again, WMCJ found an answer and was able to match MIB 4-4.  Undeterred, MIB kept pressing and with a final shot from the resident sniper Spinner, MIB was able to secure a victory 7-5.  All players agreed it was much too late for a third game, and the cold beer on stage was more appealing than a rubber match.

Later on stage, the Rake pulled off a super-solid by bringing sausage for the boys to enjoy along with the beer.  Sparky was heard saying ever so eloquently, “I always knew hockey would somehow turn into a sausage fest.”

All Tomcats are reminded of the Outdoor Classic next Tuesday evening starting at 6pm sharp.  Regular sticks allowed.  See the email sent a couple of days ago from Bulldog.  Beer and Pizza back at the Polish club afterwards and the new Tomcat jacket will be handed out.

No need to put Harry Ballsonue…people only remember Howie Feltersnatch

Beer Bringers: Hollywood (24) Soupy (12)

Net Minders: Falcon, Razor, Ogie

Out Of Line Up: Beep, Crow, Junior, Sunny, Skippy, Jingles, La Bamba, Zaba, Matador, Snowpants, May Day and Stevo.

In the Line Up: Chico, Hurricane, Killer, Soupy, Bulldog, Spinner, Chevy, Doc, Lovie, Hollywood, Turk, Cribzie, Rocky, Sparky, Rake and Mez

Skinny: Looks and feels like a mini…..we have three goalies so it should hopefully stay a mini….Everyone please come out on the last night for this year at the Kapusta Kow Palace, Hollywood’s 24 so it should be a tasty beer of some sort. Plus, last night, nice to see a good turnout.

Stevo NOT HERE: IF YOU CANNOT PLAY THIS TUESDAY…..Do not text, fax, smoke signal, email, call or teleport to Stevo as he is out of the Country and will not be getting your ‘cancellation’, until Saturday April 20. So contact Hollywood or Rocky.

Jackets: Will be ready for April 23.

Out Door Game: Teams are being set up by Bulldog. $10 to play, $10 for pizza after. You will be provided with a long sleeve shirt on game day to wear. (Sponsor to be announced on Game Day)  Marauders/Crowns wearing Black, Sharks/Hooks wearing White.

Tail gate party after hockey in the Dom Polski parking lot after, make sure you stop by, because that is when and where  the Tomcat 25^th anniversary jacket will be handed out. Beverages provided by the Tomcats.

TOMCATS FOREVER!

After covering the NHL Strike, I took some time off to spend in a Tibetan monastery called  Ganden Monastery in Tibet. it is located at the top of Wangbur Mountain.

With watching the Tomcats and the brotherly love on stage after hockey, I could not help but to try to find that peace and love that the Tomcats have for each other so I studied Buddhism for the past few months. Buddhahood is defined as a state free of the obstructions to liberation as well as those to omniscience. When, in Buddhahood, one is freed from all mental obscurations,  one is said to attain a state of continuous bliss mixed with a simultaneous cognition of emptiness, the true nature of reality.  In this state, all limitations on one’s ability to help other living beings are removed, meaning that you can help everyone and that is what I see on the stage. “Hey Killer while you are up, grab me a beer”. And Killer does.

The problem is, I don’t see it on the Kapusta Kow Floor.  Everyone is trying to win and I wonder if Stevo and the rest of the Tomcats have it right? Why do they post the winners of the mini tournament each week.  Is this really necessary?

I wonder if it would not be better to just say, ‘everyone had fun tonight, everyone Wang  Chunged tonight”.

I don’t think it is about winning the tournament is it? I mean you want to do your best, you don’t want to be a goat out there (Speaking of Goat, I have a story to tell you about this pretty goat I had met in Tibet, but that is for another day and I need alcohol in me to tell it in its full detail) but winning on a Tuesday night is not everything, it is after the fact, that I love the Tomcats, when The Rake says, “Hey Chevy during the Donnybrook, it was just for fun, you didn’t have to knee me in the stomach so hard”, that really sets the rest apart from any other night in Windsor.

I do like the three star selection, it gives an award system for those who work hard out on the Kapusta Kow floor. I was surprised that The Falcon, after making save after save after spectacular save, was not selected first star last night, but it was nice to see Cribzie named first star and he indicated it was his first time ever.  I noticed he was all a glow as he walked off the stage being the first star, almost taller, it seemed.

Stevo spoke to me after the night was over and said that survey results are pretty much now are all in, with a few exceptions like Mez. Stevo indicated that he is going to compile the information and then do a blog about it in May sometime. “It was interesting to see who does not want to be a Captain in a Mini and who wants to be a Captain in the regular tournament” Stevo had said. Other findings on that topic showed, that the main stay goalies are not interested in being Captains in the Tournament. He did not provide any additional information to me, so I have nothing further to advise you on.

Watch for the ‘What The Tomcats Know’…coming up sometime this weekend.

In the meantime, Heywood Jewblowmee?

By Harry Ballsonue

The Black Spinners: Spinner, Beep, Cribzie, La Bamba, The Turk, Falcon and Killer
The Lime Green Chevy’s: Chevy, Rocky, Snowpants, Sparky, Jingles, Chico and Ogie
The White Stevo’s: Stevo, Soupy, The Matador, Bulldog, Hurricane, Hollywood, The Rake and Doc

The Three Star Selection as selected by La Bamba: #3, Jingles, # 2, The Falcon and number 1 Cribzie.

This was my last night covering the Tomcats at the Kapusta Kow, for this year.  My next assignment will be the Out Door Game, being held on April 23, 2013. The second last night of hockey was very intense, I thought.  All teams played very well and selecting three stars would have been difficult for La Bamba.

The Black Spinners ended up winning the tournament. “The Falcon was just totally incredible in net”, stated The Turk, “I really think he saved our bacon tonight. The Turk added.

Veteran netminder Falcon gives some encouraging words to the youngster Ogie…”Just fly like an eagle kid, and always close your legs,” The Falcon had stated.

In the second final game, the Lime Green Chevy’s had a chance to beat the White Stevo’s but fell short, losing 2-0 to them, which then let the Black Spinners into the winners circle.

“I selected the team, that I thought would win tonight and it worked out for us, thanks to some timely goals and some solid play by our net minder and our defense”, indicated team Captain Spinner.

Next week, the following will not be at hockey, Beep, Stevo,. Skippy, Jingles, La Bamba, Crow and Sunny .

Just before the Stevo’s and the Chevy’s squared off, Sparky dropped his gloves and started a shoving match with the Matador, which then lead to each player grabbing another player.  Stevo jumped off the bench and grabbed Chico off one of his teammates, then with Chevy, just about to smash the Hurricanes head against the cement wall, Stevo jumped in once again to his teammates aid and grabbed Chevy. Both Benches emptied but no penalties were given…”It was just like the old Nordiques vs. the Canadians games” Stated Hurricane.

Funniest line of the night came, when all the guys were sitting on the stage and the Rake said, “Hey Chevy, the donnybrook was for fun, you did not have to knee me in the stomach like that”. The stage erupted in laughter and it was probably, in the 23 years of sitting on the stage, The Rake’s best line.

Hurricane gets a solid grade for  scrapping in the dust up and for brining 28 beers, not just 24.

Ogie, playing goalie for the Lime Green Chevy’s stated, “there is good news and great news, I am playing goalie, but the better news is for the other team, as I am playing goalie”.

REMINDER:  Stevo will not be playing next week so if you are unable to play, let Hollywood know well in advance!

Hey, at the out door game, when you are wearing your new long sleeve Tomcat shirt, that is being sponsored by a mysterious sponsor, can I put my Harry Ballsonue?

Beer Bringers: Junior (24) Hurricane (12)

Net Minders: Falcon, Razor and Skippy

Not In The Line Up: Sunny, Zaba, May Day, Mez and Crow (very unlikely).

In the Line Up: The Rake, Sparky, Junior, Rocky, Cribzie, Soupy, Killer, Snowpants, Hurricane, The Matador, Beep, Chico, The Turk, Hollywood, La Bamba, Lovie, Doc, Chevy, Stevo, Spinner, Bulldog, Jingles.

Skinny: 2 Nights left to go at the Kapusta Kow Palace.  Looks and feels like a mini for this Tuesday…..

Jackets: will be ready for the Out Door Game and speaking of such, we have been told that Bulldog will have a signup sheet for the outdoor game on Tuesday at Hockey. Game will cost you $10 and $10 for Pizza.  Minister of Pizza, the Turk arranging for pizza, so if you want veggies on your pizza let the Turk know.  Jackets will be handed out after hockey, at the Dom Polski Parking lot.

Bloggers: Harry Ballsonue will not be able to cover the last night of Hockey on April 16, so Windsor Tomcats looking for someone to do blog on the events of that night. Let Stevo know if you are interested.

Tomcats Forever!