Playoffs, 1st Round: Mark It Zero vs. The Green Hornets

Ryan, Adam, Melissa, Jeff, Ramos, Autumn, Ashley, and Tyler made it out (I think that’s everyone). The recap of this game wouldn’t tell the entire story without mentioning the email I sent to them:

Next THU at 10pm (I’ll send a reminder), my hockey team (Mark It Zero) is playing The Green Hornets. It would be very helpful if we had a fan section for this game, and I hear the experience is entertaining. Care to partake? Location here.
The winner of this game will advance to the finals. Contrary to what I thought, the playoffs aren’t a best-of-3 game format until the finals, so this round is actually single-elimination. To have a few fans in the stands would give us the edge in a game that can easily swing in momentum.
For additional context, The Green Hornets have complained (whined) to the league commissioner that our team must be broken up after this season because we’re unfairly good. How well we’re playing or not isn’t relevant, but it makes me feel an awful lot better about celebrating a future (perhaps imminent?) goal in a classless manner, and at the moment my celebration of choice is to fetch the proverbial arrow from my quiver and draw it back with my stick (bow), shooting the arrow into the stands. The fan section would recoil as appropriate. Your presence and participation in this potential act of theatre can only elevate the desired effect of destroying what’s left of their will*.
Oh and it should be a fun game otherwise, too.
Thx for considering, lemme know if you’d like to go or any questions/comments/celebration suggestions and I’ll email you on WED just to check in on yall.
Happy March,
Eric

*Or give me a misconduct penalty and fuck the momentum up. Go hard or go home!

VS THE GREEN HORNETS

First thing I noticed upon the puck drop was that the pace was fast. I didn’t think the Hornets were capable of achieving what Tom lovingly refers to as a “high level of play”, even though they forced overtime against us twice before (both MIZ wins). 

We opened the scoring on our first shift. Ben ended up with the puck at the point and wristed a shot through a high screen. I was there for any rebounds but there just weren’t any. 1-0 and I hugged him first. Also got the assist on that goal. Not a coincidence. I don’t remember setting up that play but I believe that my presence out there alone warrants an assist. Wait, no I don’t.

The next shift we went up 2-0, and it was started by Ryan, whom is now officially on a line with us. Entering the zone, Ryan found Juke who was providing offensive support, and took the puck to his forehand to the right of the defender, I followed to the left post and he fed the pass across as if we rehearsed it. I one-timed the pass low left side and kept my speed as I approached the near-side boards. Getting down on one knee and fetching the arrow, I drew back and launched (pantomimed) one into the fan section. As I got down to one knee to start the celebration, I remember hearing a teammate utter “What’s he doing?” People don’t celebrate like they used to.

I’m pretty sure that Derek got on the board before the Hornets would, on a play that was described to me later as an excellent individual effort. Sounds like Derek. 3-0.

Ned got the Hornets on the board towards the middle of the game on another individual beauty. He split our defensemen and beat Justin on a pretty play. It broke my heart a bit because I wanted him off the board completely after he wins a co-MVP award, but I guess he can have his glory now that I know his season’s over. Oh shit. ****SPOILER ALERT**** DON’T REREAD THE LAST SENTENCE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE GAME’S OUTCOME. 

As memorable as (I think) I made the 2nd goal, I’m pretty sure Ben’s 2nd goal was the one people remember the most. With the score 3-1 with about 2:30 left in the game, Ben receives a pass at the right point and, big surprise, nobody’s covering him. So he’s evaluating his options. The goaltender’s giving him the right half of the net, even as he’s pausing, and nobody’s forcing him to shoot it yet. Looking around for a pass, Ben delays a few seconds more, and unleashes a low tortoise towards the right side of the net. This shot is slow. I’ve heard of sacrificing power for shot accuracy but damn. Best part is, the netminder STILL doesn’t cover the low right side and it goes in unopposed. THE SHOT WENT IN. Writing about this event might not do it justice. I’ve seen thousands of fluke goals in my career but this was the most unavoidable of all of them. Was the goalie baiting him to shoot there and took his eyes off him? Did he lose track of his posts? He didn’t look like he was screened at all…was he looking at the clock?

Whatever. 4-1 Final. Hornets are dunzo and we get the matchup everyone wants, Mark It Zero vs. Nice Marmot, 3-game series, for it all. Whatever “it all” is. 

CLOSE CALLS: Too many, as usual. There would’ve been even more if we didn’t get so many penalties this game. Miller had 3 penalties, one an interference call right after the ref dropped the puck. I don’t know how this is possible unless Miller drove him into the end-boards, and even then it’s kinda within that 2-3 sec. window. Oh yeah, no hitting. I hooked Miller up with a hard centering feed right on the doorstep, but the pass handcuffed him as it was neither on his forehand or backhand, and all he could muster was to poke it. The puck went straight upward. But enough picking on Miller, I had two breakaways and missed them both. One was off a fantastic, barely-onside saucer feed from Ryan as I called for it behind their D when we were shorthanded. That would’ve brought the entire team…up. When I fake the shot and go backhand, I must be 0-5. I promise I’m going forehand next opportunity. Head-faking left. C’mon Marmot you ain’t reading this!

Statistiques

Week 17: Mark It Zero vs. The Green Hornets

We bludgeoned the Green Hornets the last time we played them. They fought back a lil but it was too late to make a large dent in our lead. So I brought the boys some Hoegaarden for this one expecting sweet victory.

VS THE GREEN HORNETS

We definitely took this team too lightly. We were playing our typical passive 1st period as we soon found ourselves down 0-2. This Ned kid just worked our D-man (to remain anonymous) and had a nice individual effort, deking around Justin. While bewildered, I felt like the team had a confidence (overconfidence?) that we’d battle back. Don’t even worry about it. It’s early.

The second period arrived, and the Hornets added 2 more. It was clear that whatever we were doing wasn’t quite working. Ryan hopped on to our line and shit got real, quickly. Derek did a good job of drawing a couple of penalties in this game, and we went on the power play. Ryan threaded a pass to me on the right side (Steve and I must’ve switched) and I buried one over the goalie’s right shoulder. 4-1 Hornets.

The same shift, I had the puck on the left wing and looked for someone to sneak in the back door to the right post. Ryan was equal to the task, and I fired a pass through the middle. He got a great initial shot off, then after a Miller rebound, Ryan put it away. 4-2 Hornets.

Justin doesn’t put Ryan, Miller, and I on a line together simply because the balance of the lines would be off. The first shift together yielded 2 goals, though, and although it made sense to keep the lines balanced, all three of us were enjoying the difference. Justin came to the bench at the 2nd intermission to give us a piece of his mind, and afterwards, it was hard to tell one guy on the other line to double-shift so we could restore the starting lines. So what did we do? We kept playing together YAYAHHH!

The game stayed 4-2 until the middle of the third period. After waiting at the blueline for my teammates to get back onside, I handed it over to Derek, who proceeded to take it in and put it away top-left corner. A nice shot. 4-3 Hornets.

With time winding down (within 2:00) we needed a goal - soon. Going into their zone, I had one guy to beat. Considering the circumstances, I quickly shot it through him and the goaltender let out a high bouncing rebound to his left side. I followed the puck as it bounced to the end boards, and backhanded a blind pass back to the net. The goaltender had been far out after my shot and rebound chances, so my original intention was to send a pass off his pads and into the net on his way back to the crease. What ended up happening was the second possibility - the puck finding Miller all alone with the goalie scrambling back to the crease and an entire net to shoot at. BOOM - Tied at 4. 

The overtime session must’ve been about 5:00 long, and it felt like running time. After one or two shifts, the period was almost over. If nobody scores, it’s a tie in the regular season. We had already clinched first place by picking up one point after the regulation tie, but obviously we wanted to win this one and complete the comeback. Both teams committed overtime penalties (what is with these refs?) but theirs came with :45 left to play. What happened next was a scramble in front of the net, and Todd put the game winner through at the :33 mark sending us off the ice victorious. 

After this game, I don’t know whether to feel upset at how soft we played in the beginning, or proud of our character and how composed we were most of the game. We did have to kill like 2 of Derek’s penalties, as well as 2 others (Juke, Andy), so it’s remarkable we kept them off the scoreboard after their 4th goal at the beginning of the 2nd period.

CLOSE CALLS

Plenty of close calls once Miller, Ryan, and I were a unit. I think we averaged about 4 chances a shift. It’s disappointing to know we didn’t convert on some. I remember a rebound that the goalie popped in the air towards the left post that I almost batted in, I passed a gift across to Miller that he didn’t convert, and he reciprocated by doing the same to me. I was amazed he fit the pass through at the last minute and picked my stick up. 

Final 5-4 (OT)

1st place is ours.

Week 13-15: Mark It Zero vs. Nice Marmot/Lebowski/The Green Hornets

When work heats up, the blog suffers. Hockey recaps stall, memories fade, buildings collapse. The latter more because of structural impurities & shoddy engineering than my being busy w/ pilot season, but I digress. Here are my recollections of the last 3 (grimace) games:

VS NICE MARMOT

I didn’t bring my usual Marmot game offensively in this one, but we were able to get a lead on these guys. I’m not sure how much we were leading them by, but they caught up so it was 3-2 midway through the 3rd period. 

After about a 35 second shift, there was a stoppage and Ben asked if I wanted to come off, advocating for shorter shifts. I motioned for just a bit more time on the ice. The ensuing action was all in our defensive zone, and just when we were about to clear the puck out finally, Marmot kept it inside our blue line, and threw it on net. I remember the puck doing the following: hitting off of a back/chest, off Andy’s face, and onto a Marmot player’s stick. All the caroms left Justin out of position, and the game tying goal was buried easily. On my way back to the bench, Derek in his passive-aggressive glory uttered, “See, another :30 turns into 2:00”. I let him know I thought he was an asshole. Game’s still tied.

On the next shift, Derek - who doesn’t pass - lost the puck as he was busy dangling near our own net. The Marmot player stole it, fed it in front, and Marmot was ahead 4-3 with about 4 minutes left. 

Justin was talking about how one of the Marmot scoring plays were offside but the refs didn’t blow the play dead. I’m guessing he’s talking about when they tried to keep it in our zone during the shift Derek was timing from the bench.

Speaking of, one funny moment was when Miller and I looked on from the bench as Derek predictably brought it into their zone himself, had the puck in their corner as he looked to our open defenseman (good players pass at this point), CARRIED the puck to the right defenseman, then CARRIED the puck across to the left defenseman. At this point Miller snaps, yelling “PASS THE FUCKING PUCK!” in a quiet rink.

It’s a horrible loss to be a part of, but it didn’t eliminate our chances of finishing the season with the #1 seed, we just made more work for ourselves and “made things more exciting”. Bleugh. I went scoreless for the first time in a while, but thought I played well. Frustrating…

VS LEBOWSKI

Derek wasn’t available for this game, so we were sure there would be a lot of passing in this one. 

Miller brought the wood this game, notching 4 goals. I’m trying to remember them all, but I assisted on 3 of them officially, one of them unofficially, and a teammate’s goal unofficially. The prettiest one came when I was angling on the right side of the slot, circled back, and found Miller’s forehand with a nice, backhanded thread across the slot. Steve released it quickly to the top shelf. That assist was credited incorrectly to Darren, but I can’t be pissed because Darren’s the man. I take this lapse of officiating as a compliment, actually, at how sick the pass was. The ref just didn’t think it was plausible that it was me who made that pass but rather someone in closer proximity to Miller…whatever I cry nightly about it…

This game got out of hand early. We had scored about 8 goals (at least) in the first period. Justin took the high road at the first intermission, telling us that we should take it easy and work on passing. We came out the 2nd period looking obviously different. A bit more passive, working it to our Ds. We still played, but the urgency was obviously not where it was in the first period. When the second intermission came, some representative (I’m guessing their captain) came over to our team huddle and told us to destroy them - to keep playing. We had respect for that, so we obliged.

A later goal Miller notched (his 3rd or 4th), was a product of our forechecking. Their defenseman had the puck in their corner and panicked as I brought the pressure. He committed the cardinal sin on defense by throwing the puck right in front of his own net, where Miller was waiting. BOOM! I was exited at both my influence on this play and his excellent read & positioning that I had my hands up after what was probably the 10th goal of the evening, so some Lebowski bench players had some words for me for acting excited to play the game. I understand how this behavior could’ve been perceived as irritating, but what did you think was going to happen when you tell us to run up the score?

Final score - Too much - Not Enough

VS THE GREEN HORNETS

The way our league is broken down, Da Bulls, Nice Marmot, and us are in a dogfight for 1st, and The Green Hornets & Lebowski are the bottom feeders fighting for the last playoff spot. This one was anticipated to be another ugly one but you never know when one of these teams will surprise you like when Lebowski had a quick 3-0 lead on us earlier in the season.

I can actually provide accurate scoring information on this game as I have the scoresheet (framed) here. 

Goal 1: Miller and I are in the high-slot on our respective sides of the ice. Steve’s carrying the puck and tries to get it across to me, but it’s a high pass (perhaps deflected) fluttering towards my chest. I gloved it to my stick, and shot it through.

Goal 2: This one started very typically with me coming into the zone hot on the left side off a sick pass from our defensemen. They played this one well with two defensemen back. I passed it across to Miller when he entered the zone, and crept behind him. He found me with a sick backhanded saucer on the right side and all I thought was DO NOT MISS THIS. Filthy play.

Goal 3: This was essentially a breakaway, even though there was a defender on my right side the whole way. I was bearing down on the goaltender going about 9/10ths speed, faked across and went to stuff it in the left side backhanded. The fake worked, sending the goalie flying to the right, but I had run out of space and stuffed it outside the post on the side of the net. The puck sorta stayed there for Miller, who made a heads-up play in taking out the trash. It just occurred to me that I could’ve scored a hat trick in under 10 minutes.

Goal 4: This was Ben’s goal, but Miller and I assisted. Are you paying attention? Miller and I have a 4 goal point streak alive right now. WTF? I wish I could’ve remembered this goal a bit better but the more memorable one came later when Ben roofed it.

Goal 6: I have a vague recollection of this goal. I know I was on the left post and that I had been given a sick pass across. Turns out it was from Miller. GO FIGURE. Hatty.

Goal 8: This was Ben’s roofjob. Sick. He fit it over the netminder’s shoulder in the smallest opening. At least from my perspective it looked small but maybe it was a better idea from where he was standing. Love it either way. Steve and I got assists just for witnessing this. It made sense at the time. This is how the refs work. 

Goal 9: On this rush later in the 3rd period, our lines did a half-change and I found myself on the ice with Ryan and Gregg. Ryan had the puck and either missed the net or dumped it - perhaps both - and it ended up in the left corner. I pivoted and saw both players bearing down on the net. I threaded it to Gorski (in better position), and he put it away. The assist goes to…Ryan. Whatever, bro.

Goal 10: On the power play, Andy and I were together 2-on-1. We played catch with it for 4 passes as the goaltender was trying to figure out who would shoot. Andy did. 

Miller (1g 5a) and myself (3g 4a) scored 13 points combined. This output was a new career high, but even in a blowout success like this: what stays in my mind are the missed opportunities. I tried to wrap one rebound I corralled in front of the net around the sprawled out goaltender, and hit iron. One clean breakaway I just blew (I think I lost possession), and on the broken scoring breakaway where I missed a wide open backhand put-away after juking the goalie. That one needed The Finisher to come in and git’ er done.

We play these guys again next week, but at the moment we’re gearing up for Da Bulls tomorrow. As you can see they have 5 players that are top scorers in the league, where we have 3:

They have some fast guys and will send 4 players up on offense (at least) so we’re going to have to play loads of defense. Should be a fast pace. 

Week 11/12: Mark It Zero vs. The Green Hornets/Da Bulls

Brief post on both these games as I took a hiatus from these recaps. I’m pretty much running out the door for our last Marmot game of the regular season. Looking to get a season split on these guys, or at least it feels like it will be a split. OK. Last two games:

VS The Green Hornets

Miller didn’t join us for this one as he had bronchitis. So my line was Todd, Aaron, and myself. Aaron and I had played until our backs gave out the previous night in Burbank, so we were looking to make some plays together. As our team dominated play, Derek would end up with a hat trick. I ended up down low in the left corner as I looked for someone to thread it to. Juke pinched into the slot and I fed him with an increasingly common saucer pass, and he buried it. Sick. Later in the 3rd, for insurance, I capitalized on Aaron either passing it across, or one of his rebounds but I had the whole left hand side of the net to shoot at so I flicked it over the netminder’s leg.

W 6-2 

VS Da Bulls

We were ready for a dogfight when this one came up. These guys cherry pick like the dickens. Miller and I started the game on a line together, but since the team again wasn’t fully ready by the initial drop of the puck, one guy had to double shift. I opted to, and was on the ice for half the period straight. Didn’t feel very tired after that, which I was proud of. Miller, now playing on the 2nd line, stayed there even after we were fully staffed, which was annoying, but he did notch an impossible angle goal with his back on the left corner wall. It looked like he threw the puck in off the goaltender’s skates. Derek ended up notching his 2nd straight hat-trick. Credit where it’s due, but the guy had me wide open sitting on the left post for a tap-in and opted for a snipe job top-right corner through the smallest opening. Again, props - but unnecessary. I had 2 assists in this one, the one I’m most proud of came on the power play, when I was in the right corner peeling away from the traffic, turning up the boards and finding Ben, who had just subbed onto the ice. Ben and my pass were converging on each other, with Ben trying to get there in time to keep it onsides. I had feathered it enough to take some speed off the pass, he caught up, released a shot, and scored. Awesome. The other assist was actually a breakaway. I rang the top right post on a shot, the puck dropped onto the goal line under the goaltender, and Aaron jousted in my sloppy seconds. Couldn’t have happened to a better person.

Blowout win, don’t remember the final score, but Da Bulls got a goal or two.

Week 9: Mark It Zero vs. The Green Hornets & Da Bulls

Two games this week: The Green Hornets & Da Bulls. Time to make up some ground on Nice Marmot. We went into this game tied for first place and by the end of the night, the result was the same: tied for first. Autumn decided that she’d forego some retouching to get out and see some hockey.

VS THE GREEN HORNETS

We moved the puck well and were dominant throughout this game, but the goals weren’t coming as easy for some reason. Throughout the first period, we were getting some chances but the opportunities weren’t great. They weren’t getting quality ones at our end, if they got there at all. We were dictating the play, but their Ds did a great job all game of not giving up a true breakaway. Our first goal came off Todd’s stick, as he floated a shot over the goaltender’s shoulder. I know this because of rumors, as I was on the bench getting my ducks in a row and never saw the play. Todd always makes it look effortless though. It was on an odd man rush, though. Looked like a 2-on-1. I always look away when I see a 2-on-1. What the hell was I doing?

The score remained 1-0 going into the 2nd period, which was when we got a few extra tallies. Miller and I were really feeling it and were cycling down low on several instances.

The rest of our fan section arrived right in time to start the 2nd period. This time, it was Ryan, Pete, Adam, Ramos, Steve I., & Austin. 

***This is where my memory fails me. I stopped writing this entry about 3 weeks ago. It’s been maybe a month since we’ve played these games. In a two-game week, one that we could’ve strung two wins together with some good momentum, ended up being a forgettable 2-loss week. Da Bulls are much better than they were at the beginning of the year, for whatever reason. Credit where it’s due.

Don’t remember much from the Da Bulls game now, but I recall after one game tying goal that Ben shot through my screen, I went towards Ben to celebrate when I looked back to find Miller fighting with some chump on their team. To give you context: Miller NEVER fights. He had some edge to him this game because apparently one of their players was bothering him all game so the guy inquired if he wanted to “go” and Miller accepted his proposition.

CLOSE CALLS: Too many. I had so many opportunities, yet they weren’t quality ones, and I was already on top of the goaltender with nowhere to go. On one chance I flipped the puck as if to have it soar over the goaltender’s shoulder without him noticing. Yeah, that didn’t work. 

stats (season) 

Week 1: Mark It Zero vs. Green Hornets

I’ll be doing a recap of our Thursday night league hockey games mostly for record-keeping purposes. Quite frankly, I find that I easily forget the details and minutiae of each individual game over the years, so having something to look back on is paramount. It’ll be similar to what I did with my roller blog, but maybe not as edgy - at least until I get to know these guys better. Yes, these posts won’t necessarily mean much to my avid readers (cricket, cricket), but I’ll certainly try to make them entertaining reads. 

First thing’s first, we got our jerseys Thursday. Look at these babies:

It’s an away Nashville Predators jersey. Our goalie, Justin, found this logo online, took the bowling ball out of it and made the text Beetlejuice-y or something. I don’t like how “Reebok” gets in the way but everything else is on point. To top it off, I played on a spring league team called the Jr. Predators back in the day so I already have matching socks. We play in a mostly Big Lebowski-themed league. Not many teams in the league, as it is invite-only, but other team names include Lebowski, Nice Marmot, Da Bulls (?) and of course, The Green Hornets. So I redact the last statement and replace it with: we’re in a league that’s trying to be a Big Lebowski-themed league.

VS GREEN HORNETS

We were shorthanded this game - only expected to have 2 bench players but ended up having 3 total. The Hornets looked like they had around the same amount so we had no excuse in this one. Miller couldn’t make it - don’t remember whether it was a concert or family member in town but he won’t make the next game either. Somebody had better get his ass in here…

I found myself playing center in this game mostly because nobody else wanted a part of it. I’m used to playing wing also, but figured why the hell not? Taking faceoffs felt a bit awkward but I won probably close to half of them.

We dug ourselves into an 0-2 hole against this team in the 1st period. I’d say that period was our worst. We were moving the puck well for a team that hadn’t met each other before, let alone played hockey together, but we weren’t playing as aggressively as we could’ve. I somehow knew we were better than this despite having known these guys for about 40 minutes.

They had a girl on their team that was putting it through her legs in warmups (focus here, still talkin’ hockey), real showboat-y style stickhandler. I was impressed. The last time I played against a girl she was a member of the Canadian National team and she wasn’t nearly as good of a player as this gal.

Second period we got serious. I don’t remember if it was the tying goal or the go-ahead, but some talented defenseman of ours - I’m thinkin’ Ben - threaded a pass and sent me streaking in on the goaltender. The pass helped me get behind their defense, and I put it away through the goaltender’s pads as hard as I could. 

We scored a few more goals and got to a comfortable lead. I notched another by simply anticipating a defensive breakdown on the part of the Hornets while forechecking and just stole it and buried it. Some defenseman on the Hornets was telling me to calm down as I was shouting (to my team) from the bench. I didn’t know what to say to the guy. What in the scoreboard is going on here?

Justin played very well in net, helping us out by getting some whistles when we needed the rest the most. One fantastic save was actually made by Juke, who from my account, swatted a goal-line puck out of mid-air that was otherwise destined for the Green Hornets’ side of the scoresheet. Right after that happened you could hear everyone make a commotion, some amazement, some moans. Just a collective OOOoooehehhHHhhhwfeooooooooooo.

Final score ended up being a 6-4 win but the last two goals they scored were in the waning moments of the game. I’m a little upset we couldn’t hold up but won’t lose sleep over it.

stats (season)

Week 5: Mark It Zero vs. The Green Hornets

My ankle was probable for this game too. I decided to wear inserts in my skates for the first time since squirts and it seemed to help significantly reduce any pain, but I’m still playing at like 65% which is frustrating. This won’t be a post about my ankle though. We had an interesting game Thursday.

We switched our line around so Steve and I would be on the wings and Darren would center us. The last time we played the Hornets we were shorthanded, so I figured with the added help (Derek, Miller) we’d get out to a comfortable lead and just take care of business.

VS THE GREEN HORNETS

Turns out we are a horrible first period team. We dug ourselves into a hole with a couple of early penalties. I remember we were on the penalty kill for our first two shifts. They got out to quick 2-0, then 3-0 leads before we knew what was happening. What’s worse, we know these guys aren’t a particularly good team (although not as abysmal as Lebowski).

On the second penalty kill, they found the high right point man (my guy) and he telegraphed that he was taking the shot. I kept the shin pads together, blocked it, poked it behind him off the boards, and it sent me and Miller in on a shorthanded 2-on-1. After gaining the blue line, I saucered him a pass across, and he took a low shot on net. The rebound came across to me, I kicked it off my left skate, it ricocheted off my right skate towards the open net. The next action might’ve been cause for dispute, but I made the motion that I then shot it into the open net. I’m not even sure if I touched it with my stick (goal) or didn’t (no-goal), but the ref saw me touch it so I’m down. Goal. 3-1 Hornets.

Shorties are excellent because they are a momentum changer more often than not. This was not one of those cases. The Hornets ended up notching a 4th tally and we were in a 4-1 hole for most of the game. I remember looking up at the clock with 16 minutes* remaining in the 3rd and thinking that we had to get something going NOW. 

The 2nd and 3rd goals were scored by Ben and Juke. The former came on a Miller-inspired backhander over the goaltender’s left shoulder (I hear Ben has an illustrious history with his backhander as well). The latter came on a slap shot top corner where momma keeps the peanut butter, so to speak. 

This is around the time of Miller’s coming-out party. It seems like since the 3rd period began, The Hornets were playing safe/conservative/not-to-lose hockey, not playing much offense, and tried to keep it away, wasting time off the clock. I remember one time the stickhandling gal they have circled back, basically daring me to come in and forecheck - so I came in. She started to panic, passed it back to her teammate, who was overwhelmed as well, and I was able to turn it into a scoring chance.

We kept the puck in their zone almost the whole 3rd period. On one chance, Derek slapped a low shot-pass (he said it was on purpose, I believe him) to Miller, who artfully provided a deflection in the high slot that beat the goalie 5-hole. Tie game with about 3 minutes to go…in regulation.

There’s the R word! I thought we were doomed to tie this team but the league allows a 5 minute overtime session to our delight. On our first shift we hopped the boards and one of our fine defensemen threaded a pass to me in the neutral zone. They’re finding me on a constant basis and I’m enjoying it. Waiting for the pass to arrive, I thought I accounted for everyone and figured they were all behind me, but as I turned around, I was met by some fool wearing a San Jose Sharks jersey, who had been playing me fairly well all game. He contested my rush, and even had possession of the puck at one point, but I jarred it loose, used the boards to get it around him, and stole it back. Crashing the net I threw it across, and the rebound popped out to the right side. My view was obstructed, but I was hoping that the guy who reached the puck was Miller. It was, and he got enough of a stick on it to poke it underneath the goaltender. MILLLERRRRRRRRR! It’s a little extra satisfying thinking that maybe the SJ Sharks dude blames himself for the teams ultimate collapse.

5-4 (OT), The Good Guys

CLOSE CALLS: I mentioned the Sharks jersey fellow earlier. He was a smart player. He’d never be out of position, and when I’d be ready to tip/redirect/finish a play he’d slash me at the exact right time the puck would arrive, and make it invisible to the refs. That’s a skill. One time I was against someone else for a change who was having trouble skating backwards. I turned him inside out but was already in the slot so I shot it through him instead. The goaltender did a nice job handling screens. On another opportunity, Gregg Gorski shot it wide to the right of the net but it served as an excellent back-door pass (I asked him after the game, it was accidental) that I almost finished off. The puck just hopped over my stick. 

We mounted a fine comeback, and showed some serious heart in the waning moments of that game, but we can’t get in a hole like this against Da Bulls next week. We only won that one by 1 goal. But of course, we didn’t have Miller & Derek then.

*They mostly implement running time in these games. I’m unsure when they go to stop-time. I think it’s in the last 2 minutes of every period but it went to stop time earlier in the 3rd period, like in the last 5 minutes or so.

stats (season)