Windsor Tomcats

By Harry Ballsonue

You won’t believe it, the Tomcat Advisory Board got rid of the tournament repeat!  After this year of course, Marauders still get to defend their championship, but after that, for the 2014 February tournament, four brand new spanking teams. It was voted on, 5 to 2 in favour of removing the repeat.

One other highlight, Travel hockey is still on, BUT Tomcats will only travel with the best of the best…Meaning top 17 players will be selected to play (selections to be made by Lovie, Sunny and Stevo).

Other items discussed – new clothing (shorts and a golf shirt), score clock and the 6:30 start time. 

• Samples will be brought in, in the first two weeks of hockey so that everyone can get sized properly and the Tomcats will be subsidizing the cost of the golf shirt.
• Score clock is well on its way and will be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season. 
• The start time was also discussed, and left at 6:30 with the thinking being, “If we made it 7 then we would not have guys starting on time anyway and the night would start at 7:15, so the 6:30 start is where it needs to be” indicated Rocky.

More to come in the Summer Issue of the St. Felix.

Hey in the summer, when you are sitting by the pool, sipping on a coolie, can I put my Harry Ballsonue?

A typical Tomcat season would not be complete without the required Bulldog Outdoor Tournament.  Still in its infancy, management and players alike have stepped to the plate to make the outdoor tourny the crowning achievement and celebration fans have come to love.  Can anyone believe we used to play 5on5?  After top young players like Hollywood were seen in the early days gasping for air, a wise decision was made to move to 6 on 6, with a goalie (So really, 7 on 7).  Fears of looking like a typical grade school soccer game were quickly put to rest, and 6 on 6 has worked well.   

The outdoor facility this year was VERY slippery, claiming 1st star selection for defense by dumping superstar players like Spinner; who later went on to capture the MVP nod for the White Side.  No wonder he got the nod, I don’t remember seeing Spinner so happy considering full slap shots are allowed outdoors.  During the course of a regular season Spinner’s greatest weapon is silenced as his shot is not allowed at the smaller Kapusta Kow Palace.  Seeing that shot up close this year I can see why the goalies are happy it isn’t allowed.  Spinner simply blew 2 goals past poor Skippy, who after both goals was still trying to find the ball.  Newcomer Tiny Tot remarked, “When I first saw the shot and that first goal go in I thought – Pretty lucky; but then he goes and picks the opposite top corner on Skippy and I was like DAMN!”  The floor even claimed the ever dangerous Lovie, who was also dumped, and he took the MVP nod for Black!  Another victim was Snowpants who was seen slippin and sliddin, which typically isn’t too unusual, except for fact he spent more time than usual on his backside. 

Team white in the end took the whole thing winning the first game 7-6, then taking the shoot out.  With the first goal snapped in by Junior on the Black side, the rest of that first period was very closely contested.  Team White also took the second game 3-2 and neither team could dominate in the following shoot out.   Down 2 games and not able to catch up on the shoot out, it would have taken a huge scoring drive by team Black to have kept the cup in Rocky’s trophy case.  Poor Rocky was forced to give up the coveted trophy and would later reply, “Well my kids are certainly going to miss it, but I think my wife secretly was happy.  I mean everytime we had family or friends over, there was the trophy – Jock and all on glorious display, and the kids were very happy to talk all about dad’s cup”.  While Rocky may have had to give up the cup, it was nice to see his little Rockettes out enjoying watching the game. 

The 2012 Outdoor Classic Team Photo...the perfect end to another fantastic Tomcat season!

All four goalies played well and each commented while the players had to deal with a slippery floor, their respective net areas were more sticky.  Also funny was how all four indicated they would have preferred to slide, which would have assisted in some more spectacular saves.  Razor for team White stood out most, and took home MVP.  What a year!  A cup win, mvp at the indoor tourny, the outdoor tourny win and another MVP.  Absolutely Steller!!!  What wasn’t so steller was his quote, “I’m not sure I’m coming back, I think it may be time to let the youngsters battle it out for the top spot”.  I can almost understand, Razor wants to go out on a high and has been an integral part of the Tomcats organization for a long time.  It’s also hard to get mad at such a standup guy, but when news leaked out to fans of Razors remarks, they said it best – “Stay Razor Stay”.  I agree, he can’t leave – next season will be a rareity in that goalies are going to pick the indoor teams, and Razor is defending champ!  I say so what if he comes back and doesn’t lead his team to a repeat cup – by far Razor is arguably the top goalie.  Falcon chimmed in on the debate stating, -He (Razor) can’t leave, the loss would be too much for the organization to bear.  Enough said – Stay baby stay – 2 MORE YEARS!  Why 2 – I want to see Razor celebrate 25 great years of Tomcat hockey, then fans and players might let him retire in peace.

Season ends for the Tomcats, but Skippy reminds all players they are always welcome to come out with his group on Sunday night at 7PM – their season ends June 10th, so there’s alot of hockey left to play. 

Thanks goes to Bulldog – classy guy, who along with Yuri grabbed the delicious pizza grub.  Yuri showed his classy side when realizing he had left over cash from the pizza purchase, poured the rest figuratively into beer purchases for the players.  CLASSY!  Thanks as well to Jingles, who unfortunately missed all the action due to a work conflict.   A shout out to Zabba for acquiring the Dom Polski hall, where several players were introduced to the 500mm Polish beer.  Many were later heard yelling – “This should be our beer – its like 2 beers in one”!!  If you were issued a “Party Pass’, you were not disappointed as he Tomcats belted out “Tomcats Forever” – Yup, nothing better then hearing the boys sing that song.

So now the next blogs on Wednesday’s, that you will be seeing will be from Tomcats themselves, their lives, their summer, their warm weather quests (making love at the pier at Belle River) or the hole in one (maybe same thing! Naw…golf course hole in one).

I cant wait for next season, and fans are eagerly waiting to continually hound Razor into staying.  Until that time as Harry would say – Id love to put my harry ballsonue, and I chime in with Razor, Yuri Handzonmecac.

LUV U GUYS – Yuri

I just wanted to take a moment of your time and to thank each and every Tomcat for an incredible season.  I don’t have all the stats in front of me, but I know we had more Mini Tournaments then last year.  I also want to report that we have more money in the Tomcat Kitty, then we have ever had before. (I do not have a final tally on the money as yet, but will in a few days)

We are all paid up for the Kapusta Kow Palace and  Lansberry Park.  We got new t-shirts and touques this year and I will be meeting with the advisory board on May 1, 2012 to discuss future clothing purchases.

Sparky is well on his way to make our score board and that, I am being told, will be up and running at the start of the 2012-13 season.

June 22 is our golf outing and I hope to see every Tomcat out, if not to golf, then and least to stop by Hollywood’s for Souvlaki Night In Canada. Snowpants, our minster of Golf, Pyrotechnics, Heating and Cooling and over all Shenanigans is in charge of that, so if you have a foursome you want to play in, let him know.

There are so many to thank, for this past successful season, and I don’t want to miss anyone. So, here it goes, thanks Youngblood and Rocky for running the web site.  I want to thank Yuri for taking over the Pizza Minister job and doing a super fantastic job. Hollywood for organizing and designing the best t-shirt ever. For Rocky, once again, for just being Rocky, always setting up and taking down and doing anything I asked. (Fix the door on Tomcat room, put pictures up on web site etc.)

To our 5 goalies, Razor, Falcon, Bearcat, Skippy and the Danish for playing goal for us. (and to Hurricane and Hollywood and Matador for stepping in, when needed). To LaBamba for his three star selections. To Sparky for his start on the Electronic Score Board.

Doc for learning his job and filling the proper amount of ice on the Tomcat beer. To Bulldog for organizing the outdoor game and loving the Tomcats. To Jingles as my executive assistant and for securing Lansberry Park for us.

To our bloggers and St. Felix contributors, Skippy, Lovie, May Day and Razor.

And speaking of Razor…. Please don’t make this past year your last as you are way too valuable to the Tomcat organization and I plead to you to stay for a couple of more years, you are an intricate part of the Tomcat fabric and I can’t imagine going to the Kapusta Kow Palace and not having you there.

To Zaba, LaBamba, the Matador, May Day, Hurricane, Snowpants, Killer, Crow, Razor, Falcon, Skippy, Bearcat, The Rake, Junior, Sparky, Rocky, Cribz, Yuri, Hollywood, Doc, Chevy, Spinner, Bulldog, Jingles, Youngblood, Lovie, Sunny, Soupy, and Mez, please know I love you guys!

Thanks for a wonderful season, YOU MAKE THE TOMCATS!

Tomcats Forever!

Stevo,

Any additional or missed players will be added to teams on the day of the event.

Play starts sharp at 6:00. Players bring their own shirts, $5 to play and pizza money for George.

Rest up boys it is going to be a test of skill, will and endurance!

See details here ->2012_Tomcat_outdoor_classic_roster_and_format

By Harry Ballsonue

White Knights: Razor, Junior, Hollywood, Chevy Lovie, Killer, Snowpants and Hurricane
Black Attack: Skippy, Rocky, Cribz, Yuri, Doc, Stevo, Spinner, Bulldog and May Day

White Knights win, 7-2, 7-5, 6-7.

Another glorious season came to a close at the Kapusta Kow Palace on Tuesday night, and the White Knights took it, with stellar goaltending from Razor and some nifty goal scoring from Chevy, who popped in 9 on the night. “I was lucky to have Hurricane on my side, he is a great teammate, line mate a mentor and a friend.  I think he set me up for all 9” a beaming Chevy had said.

Two weeks ago, Killer was the first star with 12 goals, and when he was asked if he scored many on the night he sated, “I got more assists tonight”. a very proud Killer had indicated.

One notable absence, for this week and last week, was Mez.  He never called to say he was not coming.  Tomcats looking into fining him for the two misses.

Other notables on the White Knights were Lovie with his wicked wrister that seemed to daze Skippy every time.

Doc, had another good night, notching a number of goals for the Black Attack.

The Tomcats partied on, with some homemade Kielbasa, brought by Yuri and the Tomcats. “The Tomcats really know how to end the year,with this nice spread.” stated Cribz who will be resting up for next year and has opted out of the out door game.

The out door game goes, next Tuesday at Lansberry Park and it is a 6 p.m. start, as the rink is rented from 6 to 8p.m.. Please, please be on time.

$10 for Pizza payable to Yuri.  $5.00 for hockey, payable to Bulldog.

After hockey everyone is welcome to celebrate the year end with the Tomcats at Dom Polski.

Tomcats announced today, that several players have been selected to submit Blogs to the web site through out the off season, with Razor getting the nod for the very first one.  They are to write about what ever they want….off season training, charity golf events, free agency, summer vacations and the upcoming season.  “I think this is a great idea”, stated The Rake, what better way to get to know the Tomcats, then by reading something that they wrote, I can’t wait to write mine”. The Rake Concluded.

The articles will appear on each and every Wednesday through out off season, and the specially selected Tomcats have been provided a date for their blog.  You really want to log on each and every Wednesday to check out each Tomcat Blogger.

Hockey and friendships start back up September 18

Hey, at the outdoor game, can I put my Harry Ballsonue?

Reading the recent St Felix, on the Tomcat Web Site,, I love when they show the old pictures of the Tomcats. Great publication, I just hope all Tomcats read it, next issue is not until the Summer. 

I had to smile seeing Bearcat as the Tomcat of the week, this week, particularly following his recent performance, this past Tuesday night.  Fans were treated to a rare appearance by Bearcat, who hasn’t had the opportunity to play very often during the season.  Probably like the common Grizzly bear, Bearcat came out of hibernation to lead the Black Attack to victory on the night.  The Black Attack dispatched the White Knights 2 games to 1 with score of 7-3, 4-7  and 7-4, and Bearcat showed no signs of ‘ring rust’ ending the night with an impressive 4.5 G.A.A.  Razor, played well, but,  ended with a 6 G.A.A, but it wasn’t only Bearcat who helped Razor look human…Harry had it right in giving a big nod towards Doc, scoring 2 seperate hat tricks.  Stars be damned on a ‘non’ mini tourny night – DOC WAS THE MAN!!  The White Knights  could only shake thier heads, not only watching Doc notch 6, but seeing last weeks scoring standout Killer be silenced.  “One week I’m being called Sid the Kid and this week a bum”, Killer had said.

When the first game was done fans had a good laugh watching Skippy playing out running around then collapsing onto the bench while asking Junior just exactly where he should play – the laugh was when Junior summed up the first game by simply stating, “In net where you belong”.   Skippy remained unfazed and actually scored in that first game, and considering the White Knights only scored 3 times.

Another interesting facet picked up on by Tomcat twitter followers is that in the 2 times Skippy has played out – each team he has played on lost their series.  SOOO, either the Skipster really is more of a ‘Spare’ to rest the superstars, or a bookies best pal.  Odds makers will be keenly watching what colour the lad wears the next time he’s gotta play out.  Tomcat standout, Lovie had this to say, “Hey boys, let’s get a big turnout for our last week of Tomcat Hockey, so Skippy can’t play out!”.

My selection for a nickname, for Stevo would be ‘Headband’, but seriously, will anyone call him anything but Stevo?  I know I use to hear Crispy call him Captain and I think Snowpants calls him that too and that would seem  appropriate.

A point of curiosity is that Razor, who won the Tomcat regular season NHL hockey pool, did not participate in the Tomcat NHL Playoff Pool….interesting to say the least.

With the season coming to an end, fans are very eager to get their fill of Tomcats hockey – cause one knows when the last goal in the season is scored and the Tomcats have cleaned out their lockers, I will shed a tear.  As I weep tears of memories of all this season has brought, I’ll need to be held and whisper – “Jingles, will you put Yuri HANDZONMECAC?”.

Yuri

By Harry Ballsonue

Black Attack: Bearcat, May Day, Rocky, Doc, Sparky, Lovie, Yuri, Spinner and Jingles
White Knights: Razor, Skippy, Killer, Junior, Hollywood, Stevo, Chevy, Cribz and La Bamba

The Black Attack take it, 7-3, 4-7 and 7-4.

Doc scores a hatrick in the Black Attacks first game and then scores a second hattrick in the Black Attack’s second game…the black attack win on the night, two game to one.  There is no three star selection, as there was no mini tournament, but Doc deserves mention for getting the Black Attack to where they ended up. “If it was not for his prowess in front of that net, who knows were we would be” Stated Rocky.

“I felt good out there tonight, this is now my second full year as a Tomcat and I have nothing but great things to say about the guys and the organization. I really had a lot of fun tonight” Doc said, with a smile from ear to ear.

Over all some very good hockey, with quick action, “when you have four spares, the play gets very quick out there, I know I notice it”, indicated an exacerbated Bearcat, who was stellar in between the pipes.

Next week, is the Tomcats last week and a mini tournament is expected.

Tomcats drafted their NHL Hockey Pool draft and from what I saw, some very good teams out there, waiting to see the names that Hollywood picks for each team.

Bulldog tells me, that he would like everyone to tell him if they are playing in the out door game, April 24. “If the guys could just email me, so I know how many we have, that would be good”, stated Bulldog.

And a reminder, please provide a suggested Nickname for Stevo, our fearless leader.  Respond to the posting from last week (April 5).  We want to take all submissions and put them to a vote to find Stevo a nickname befitting the leader of Tomcat Nation. 

Next week, if Kielbasa is bought for the stage after, would you mind if I but my Harry Ballsonue and your Harry Kielbasa ?

Harry Palm Press

With the return of the prodigal son “Stevo” fans and players alike arrived early for what would turn into a mini tournament, which as expected started with controversay.  The Turk was approached to be a Captain, quickly looked around and said, “No thanks”.  Having seen how mini’s have ruined some players mojo I had a hard time blamin the guy – Remember Skippy going 0-4?  All was figured out and in the grand scheme of things fans were treated to unusually good hockey a ll around.  Several first occurred, like Skippy finally winning (*).  That was later disputed by Hurrican e  , part of the White Knights who also were determined to be tourny winners.  The Falcon backstopped the White Knights posting 2 shutouts and ending with a record .5G.A.A.  That’s right .5!, earning the veteran the 2nd star nod on the night. When the dust settled both the White Knights and Yellow Fluffs were tied, throwin Hurricane into a spin.  “We didn’t get to play that last game with Black, I wanted to chase the plus minus – we could’ve done it”. 

The other first on the night was a 0-0 tie between the veteran Falcon and the Skipster, several Tomcats were later heard exclaiming, “That’s never happened before, good defense, good goaltending and good hockey”.  The game helped propel Skippy to his first ever mini tournament win with a 2.3G.A.A.  Fan favourite Razor was left twisting in the wind with a team that on paper looked hard to beat.  That team, the Black  Attack  featured dangerous players like the return of Stevo, Lovie, Jingles, May  D ay, Hollywood and Cribz.  In the end they went 0-3 and Razor posted a season high 5G.A.A.  Afterwards Razor remarked, “When it counts the Razor is there”.  As he was saying this he turned almost Matrix slow and showed off the collection of past stanley cup rings he’s already amassed.  Cribz may have summed it up best, “We just weren’t clickin, Stevo was out there just coming off the injury, I’m still a little banged up and was tentaive,  we could not make a pass to save our lives and the ball would bounce of some small object and land on the stick of our oppoment and they would score – A real twilight zone episode”. 

Not an easy task to pick teams, on paper sure you look great, but can everyone gel and fire on all cylinders?   In next years real tournament, the goalies pick, Skippy is already fretting, “Hey I have a real crap record with picking 0-4, but I think I’ll have a sweet team name!” .   Sources indicate the Skipster is already reviewing each Tuesday nights highlights, consulting the ouija board, opening thousands of chinese fortune cookies and amassing loads of booze for bribing the other goalies – Time, picks and Vegas stats will eventually provide an outlook on whatever those teams picked odds will look like and wages will be spent chasing the elusive question of whether anyone can knock off the returning champs.  Speaking of champs, first star on the night Killer really lit it up, scoring from almost every angle on the floor.  I think he even got an assist while trying to make a line change – When your on fire – YOUR ON FIRE!  I slid in close to the reclusive superstar and as he was packing up all his gear whispered, “Will you put Yuri HANDZONMECAC?”

YURI

As proud and dedicated Tomcats, we have all been asigned some of the greatest sports nicknames of all time.  Hollywood, Rake, Snowpants, Hurricane to name a few.  While looking at our roster, it became very evident that the most important Tomcat of all has the weakest nickname.  Stevo.  I mean come on!!  Stevo from Steve…are you friggin’ kidding me right now??!!  If anyone deserves a cool nickname, it is our loyal, dedicated, fearless leader. 

So here is what I propose we do:  Each and every Tomcat who feels the same way about Stevo that I do, please submit the coolest nickname ever for him.  The winner of this contest gets a new hat, courtesy of the Razor. 

I’ll get the ball hockey ball rolling by submitting my suggestion right now: SNAKEBITE!.

Send your selection into the Tomcat website.  If we have enough entries by next week, I will print off all submissions and we can vote for the best-of-the-best next Tuesday at ball hockey in true democratic Tomcat fashion.  Let’s give Stevo a new handle.  One befitting his true stature in Tomcat lore!!

This is Jacques Strapp signing off.