Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – December 7, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Rebel Squad 1 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=53553&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/856jNOZoul8
Goals at: 54:49

Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – December 10, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 7 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=52143&mode=display
Video link: https://youtu.be/856jNOZoul8
Goals at: 00:11, 23:36, 27:45, 31:55, 45:02, 46:09 and 56:54

After some tough losses, the Hamsters are getting their groove back with a very close hard-fought tie, followed by a blow-out win. We’re still in the bottom half of our little division, but if we can keep the momentum going, maybe we can leap-frog Rebel Squad and Well-80 to re-take 3rd place.

First up was another late-night meetup with Rebel Squad. They are a new team to the league, but are playing very well. The one major issue they have is control, which led to a crash into Shae and an attempt to remove Todd’s left arm (unsucccessful). Otherwise, a great and friendly group of skaters and tough competition.

The first and second periods were a lot of back-and-forth, with each team getting great chances, but either shots went just a little wide, or the awesome pair of tendys snagged them out of mid-air. Still, the ice was tilted a bit to our end, with the Rebel defense having pretty good responses for our breakouts. Even a pair of power plays weren’t enough for us to get a puck in the net, as we had some trouble holding the zone. By the end of the second, the SOG were pretty decisively in their favor, even though the game was still scoreless.

The scoring finally started just a couple of minutes into the third with the Rebel Squad squeaking one past Shae. About 10 minutes after a brief pause to scrape Todd off the ice, Kurt came off the bench, skated right into the Rebel zone and netted a nice little forehand-backhand combo to tie us up. We had a few more chances to score, but just couldn’t get the game winner in there. Ties suck.

What a difference just a few nights later. We showed up for our third Sunday 10:15pm game this season with 10 skaters. It was doubtful right up to a few minutes before the game if the Polar Bears were going to be able to field a full team, but they wound up with 7 skaters.

Kurt got the scoring started very quickly, just 11 seconds into the game, but the score remained only 1-0 until Todd finally got his first point of the season 5 minutes into the second. As it would turn out, that’s all we really needed, but we were not done by a long shot.

We pretty much dominated play, with our defense owning both blue lines, and our forwards putting together some nice breakouts. Kevin was up next, just a couple minutes later as part of his 3-point night including a pair of apples. Kurt went unassisted 5 minutes later to finish off the scoring for the 2nd with the score at 4 – 1.

By the third, the Polar Bears were visibly tired, taking the opportunity to sit down on the ice while waiting for an icing call to bring the puck back. But did we show mercy? Nope! Kurt finished off his hat trick just a couple minutes into the third, forcing him to play back and help give our defense some more rest. JR and Jim combined for a beautiful goal just a minute later to bring it to 6 – 1.

Then word passed on the bench: “Feed Riley.” Although she had already gathered almost a half-dozen apples over the season, taken quite a few face-offs and showed some really heads-up play, she still hadn’t gotten that first goal. Well with a little over 6 minutes left to play, we all roared as she put back her own rebound to get that elusive first goal. The Bears’ tendy was not so happy about the goal and the celebration until we explained the situation.

In the end, Sanguinet went home with Riley again, as we basked in the glory of a much-needed win by feasting on the cookies Riley had brought. Go Hamsters!

Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – November 4, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Bandits 3 – 3
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=51770&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/wXcFqvYnFg4
Goals at: 44:08, 50:26, ??? (WTF, LiveBarn?!)

Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – November 5, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Horned Broncos 1 – 5
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=52103&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/IiQAHUnVelA
Goals at: 2:45

“The vid” is making a comeback, and it’s taken 4 of our teammates off the ice in the last couple weeks. That plus various colds and such meant that not only did we have back-to-back games in a weekend, but we did so with a fairly short bench. Trophies for most ice time (besides Shae, of course) go to Chelsie and Parker who backed us up on “D” with very, very long shifts.

First up was the Bandits, who struggled early in the season, but seem to have gotten their legs underneath them, now. We only had 9 skaters for this one, and we had a tough time in the first, unable to keep posession and keep them out of our zone. But still the period ended with only a single-goal lead for the Bandits. Then they notched another one early in the second, and had us all pretty worried.

But then, look behind the bench for the guy in the little yellow helmet. It’s coach Christian!! He was droping nuggets of hockey wisdom on us when the few of us that could spend time on the bench were huffing anf puffing. A quick intermission pep-talk really seemed to turn things around, because we went out and scored three un-answered goals to take the lead! Kurt led the way with two goals and an assist. LiveBarn glitched badly and we didn’t get to see JR’s beauty of a goal that should have been the game winner.

But alas, just a little less than three minutes later, the Bandits tied it up, and that’s the way it finished. Ties are damn near unamerican, but we held our own with a tougher team that were better rested.

The next game was not quite as pretty. We only had 8 skaters for this one, and that’s only when Smitty joined us late in the 1st after finishing another game. What a freakin’ beauty. The Horned Broncos were looking for payback for our 6 – 0 beat-down we put on them just a couple weeks earlier. This time it was their turn to have a full bench versus an already tired, short-benched hamster squad.

But hopes of a shutout were quickly dashed by Kurt flying by the crease, finding the back of the net, then testing the strength of the boards with a hefty thud. But that’s pretty much where the cheering stopped.

We actually held the slim lead through most of the 1st, despite several quality shots on goal from the Broncos. Still, they knotted it up with just a little more than 3 minutes left in the period.

Then, there was the second period. A little more than 5 minutes in, the Broncos got two past Shae in less than a minute. But we can’t put those on his shoulders; our back-checking was not what you might call “good”.

Even so, we kept within 2 until late in the second, with Shae showing off with kick- and glove saves to keep us at least close. Another late in the third slammed the door shut pretty hard. We were not without our scoring chances, though. Their tendy, Vitok, was just absolutely on fire.

Next up we have what could be a tough one against a bronze team, the Fireants, who have been chewing their way through the copper division. But we get some of our skaters back, so hope springs eternal…

Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink – October 26, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Well 80 1 – 5
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=53582&mode=display
Video link: None, sorry

Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – October 29, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Rebel Squad 5 – 3
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=52137&mode=display
Video link: https://youtu.be/EZErg1YQq4U
Goals at 4:21, 5:11, 19:16, 22:41, 58:39

We played a pair of late-night games relatively close together against the two newest teams in our division: Well 80 and Rebel Squad.

First up was Well 80 who, despite having a very short bench, being one of the lower-half teams in our division and one that we shut out in our second game this season, really took it to us. Without our brick wall named Shae, we had to produce way more goals, and that combined with their tendy making some pretty incredible saves led to a pretty lopsided victory for them.

The first two periods were a defensive affair, with their first two goals coming late in the first and second periods, respectively. We held the line pretty well, but a lucky bounce and a breakaway gave Well 80 a 2-0 lead heading into the third.

But then, just over a minute into the third, Kevin gave us some hope with a really pretty goal off a feed from Parker’s second apple of the young season. The bench was abuzz with comments about how they should get tired in the third, so we should be able to skate around them. But then three unanswered goals with their hot-shot getting an assist and a goal, really put the nail in our coffin.

Just three short days later, we squared off with Rebel Squad, who are doing really well, despite being a first-year team. They could be seen at the rink over the summer getting team lessons, and they even had their own photographer. We opened the season with a tie against them, and this time it was our turn to have a somewhat shortened bench, so we were a little apprehensive.

Appropriate for a game so close to Halloween, the puck seemed possessed by a demon, with weird bounces all night. They opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the game when a dribbler of a shot found its way through Shae’s pads. There were own-goals on each side, and a couple “knuckleball” shots, one lifted in the air from the blue line that wound up arcing down and going bar-down behind Shae for a real head-scratching goal. Weird stuff, folks.

Anyway, we opened up the scoring with Kevin pretty much taking the puck from the face-off in our end all the way down the ice to go forehand-backhand into the net at the other end. The LiveBarn camera could barely keep up with him! Less than a minute later, Kayla got credit for her first goal of the season when she was the last to touch the puck before a Rebel thoughfully placed it into their own net.

Late in the 1st, Chelsie put a sweet centering pass right on Kurt’s stick, which lifted it into the wide-open net to make it 3 – 1 heading into the second period. In the first minute of the second, Kurt took a nasty slash to the hand that wasn’t called (at 21:43 in the video), but Kevin hopped in and wound up feeding the puck to Adam behind the net who punched it out perfectly to Smitty who did the right thing and sent the puck into the back of the net, taking us to 4 – 1.

But Kevin wasn’t happy with just an assist and a goal, and had no empathy for a team already beaten into submission, so late in the third he headed into their zone again, and once more went forehand-backhand for the final goal of the game.

Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink – October 18, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Bandits 1 – 2
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=53511&mode=display
Video link: none, yet. 🙁

After what seemed like the longest summer in history, the Muscle Hamsters are back in action in RHL copper 2023-2024! I’m way behind on updating this blog because I was out of the country getting all fat on pasta and wine. I was back for the Oct 15 game against the Polar Bears, but was so heavily jet-lagged I could barely stay awake for work this week.

Anyway, Wednesday’s game was a very hard-fought game that unfortunately ended with a loss to the Bandits, who ended our last season as well. We scored first, with a beautiful goal from Quaid relatively early in the first, then held the lead until a tough one got past Shae to tie things up in the second.

There was plenty of awesome play to go around. Boath goalies were in top form. We had lots of chances and held the offensive zone much better than we did last year, but eventually the Bandits scored again late in the second to take the lead.

The third was scoreless, despite plenty of shots and several breakouts both ways. Our second-year players are gaining confidence and starting to anticipate passes (and intercepting them every now and then), and our new members are improving rapidly.

Despite the loss, we remain in third place (ahead of the Bandits, I might add). It feels like this could be a very good year for us, but really it’s all about getting together and having fun out on the ice.

Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink – May 6, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Bandits 0 – 2
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=28599&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/EAO4WExW8wM
Goals at: none 🙁

It was a black-and-white affair at TTR last night, with the beginning of our second round of playoffs versus the Bandits, appropriately dressed in black. They’d had a week to rest, and we were missing some of our key players. Team Cowboy made it seem like we were only going to have 8 or 9, and we thought Shae was not going to be able to be in goal, so we were pretty worried how the first game would go. But we wound up with 13 on the bench, and Shae worked it out to be able to play with us, so hopes were high right before the game.

We were able to apply offensive pressure almost immediately, and our defense continued to shine (Lauren in particular seemed to be taking her MVP status very seriously). Even though the Bandits got the scoring started first, only 7 minutes into the game, we held it at 1-0 until a loose puck directly under Shae was tapped in with only 7 minutes left in the game!

We had (and took) our shots quite often in the game, notching 20 SOG by the time the final horn sounded. Many were good, quality chances, but Duarte just plain old got the better of us.

There were no penalties called in the game, although there was a bit of tripping happening out there. At one point, Seth went head-first into the boards and stayed down for a while, causing more than a little concern, but ultimately he got up, headed to the bench (instead of the locker room), and returned to the game just a few minutes later.

Not so long ago in this season, we had games vs. the Bandits where they were constantly intercepting our passes, skating circles around us, and we were lucky to play a few minutes out of our defensive zone. But we are a changed team. Outlet passes with just enough sauce applied, good communication, and just being used to each other and knowing where we’re going to be has made all the difference.

Still, in the end the Bandits were victorious, with a somewhat rare shutout win (we’ve only had 5 all season). Hopefully this serves as high-grade hockey fuel for our next contest tonight, and we can extend our season to at least Thursday.

Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink – May 3, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 5 – 0
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=28420&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/Tqmheqs06TE
Goals at: 06:50, 49:32, 51:59, 59:51, 1:02:57

Game 2 of our series with the Polar Bears saw us continue our domination. The ‘Bears only managed 11 SOG, and Shae handled every one with his usual skill, notching his first shutout! On the opposite end, our defenders all held the zone really well, but particularly Oh Captain, our Captain. A couple trickled past him, but otherwise he built a brick wall at the blue line.

The scoring got started early when Lauen got one of her pair of apples, feeding Quaid in front of the net. But then the ‘Bears kept it close until about 6 minutes into the third, when the flood gates finally opened. Nico got another hat trick, but this time he got a little help from his friends instead of going unassisted.

The improved passing and communication were still on display, and hopefully we keep it up against the Bandits, who are much bigger and much faster than the Polar Bears. It was great to see only a few “passes to nowhere” and even a couple of pretty no-look drop-offs.

Finishing out the scoring, Mason picked a pair of apples, too and Jim (he’s such a fuckin’ beaut) took the long pass from Laurel, dodged the charging goalie and tapped into the empty net to give us a total tally of 5, with the Polar Bears left with a goose egg.

This being an elimination game, emotions were unfortunately running high. No one wants to get swept in their final two games of the season, and certainly not ending up being shut out. What usually is a friendly, fun game between bears and hamsters got a bit testy, with sticks being chopped and more than a little pushing and shoving.

We bore the brunt of the penalties, with Nico going off for cross-checking (because he got caught retaliating for similar treatment). Todd took a spell in the sin bin serving the bench minor for too many players (many of our changes were not particularly graceful), but the real ouch was when the refs banished Quaid to the litter box for the rest of the game halfway through the third for unsportsmanlike conduct. I’m pretty sure this was just the refs trying to get control of a game that was getting “chippy” and we clearly were dominating, so guess who takes the hit?

At the end of the game is where it really fell apart, with the ‘Bears goalie taking offense at the last-second goal, with some deja vu from our game in early April when JR was the target of the swinging goalie stick. When the clock read “0” their goalie headed off the ice, refusing to participate in the traditional handshake line. Words were exchanged with some folks in the stands, then tempers flared on the ice. Overall, a most unfriendly end to what had been a series of friendly games all year.

Things improved significantly in the locker room when Lauren presented us with “sticks” (ice cream drumsticks, a Shoresy reference), and we presented her with Sanguinet (another Shoresy reference. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it, get yourself a free Hulu trial and binge it) for her performance on and off the ice.

So, now it’s on to face the Bandits in the second round! Go Hamsters!

Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink – May 2, 2023
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 5 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=28279&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/Ee9f-NLllGs
Goals at: 13:15, 29:26, ??, 49:10, 1:00:33

Sorry this blog has been so quiet, folks. The Spring Thaw tournament took a lot out of me (physically and time/responsibilities), and I just couldn’t catch up.

But now, it’s playoffs time! We’re back, and with a FULL BENCH, including all of our top points leaders. We welcomed back Nico and Mason, giving us our “power line” including Quaid. Nico provided all the goals we needed to win with his hat trick, but Todd and Kevin (SH) added on a couple just to seal the deal.

You would think that adding back in players we haven’t seen for a while would mean we were a bit disjointed, but the flow throughout the game was really fantastic. Great passing and communication led to us dominating posession of the puck, limiting the ‘Bears to only 13 shots on goal (sorry you were bored, Shae, we know you’re more used to SOG totals in the 40s).

Yet it wasn’t a blow-out early. The Polar Bears kept it tight for a while, tying up the game almost mid-way through the second when Manny got tired of passing and just took it in himself for a pretty forehand-backhand goal that bounced in off the left post. It wasn’t until the third that we were really able to get the puck into the net.

The Bears’ goalie was pretty strong all night, with lots of our shots that seemed a sure thing being denied entry. He faced 33 shots from us, and only let 5 past. It was hard to see from the far bench, but I think I even saw a scorpion save on one of them!

Overall, everyone on our team stepped it up for the playoffs. We kept our shifts relatively short, so we were able to play hard while we were out on the ice. Shae was a brick wall as usual. Our defense did a great job of boxing out the attack in our defensive zone, as well as holding the offensive zone and contributing quite a few SOG. Laurel got a few quality shots on goal, Chelsie played center for a while!

In the locker room, Sanguinet was awarded to Nico for his hatty. He gave us a rousing MVP speech, extolling us to play the same game tonight and finish off the series.

P.S. LiveBarn cut out for a while, so we missed out on Nico’s third goal, but it came back just in time to catch the “celly” for Todd’s goal (standing there asking, “Did it go in?”).

April 6, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 5 – 0
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=28595&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/gTa7y4X_OWs
Goals at: 23:11, 28:00, 50:05, 1:01:42 and 1:03:37

Back in our purple sweaters for the first time in 3 weeks, it was time for another face-off with the Polar Bears. We had a distinct advantage in personnel numbers, with 14 on our bench to their 9, but our beloved Shae was absent from the crease, so there was cause for at least a little worry.

But the theme for this game was defense, and why not, with the triumphant return of “The Big Hamster” Chadd, who was back on the ice following an extended work engagement over in Port Angeles. Everyone on defense, Seth, Chelsie, Justin, Chad and Tanner built strong walls at the lines, and when the puck did happen to stray into our zone, they blocked the few shots that were made and made some pretty great passes to start breakouts the other way.

Our visiting tendy, Rob Perlot, only had to face 13 shots, and stopped every one. Thanks for filling in, Rob!

After a scoreless first period, Randy and Kevin decided enough was enough and got us on the board, each with their own unassisted goals. Randy’s came just 90 seconds into the second when he took the faceoff in our end, drove it the length of the ice and buried it in the back of the net. Tanner tried the same a few minutes later, but sadly was denied. Not to be outdone, Kevin put on his own show, taking the face-off in the offensive zone and immediately sent the puck where we wanted it to be. Justin even added an impromptu break-dancing show, spinning down the ice on his side!

The third period saw only 9 shots on goal from us, but we made the most of them, scoring three times! Almost half-way through the period, our points leader Adam joined the scoring fun, being at the right place at the right time, taking the rebound and burying it in the net. Five minutes later, the Bears’ tendy came out of the crease to charge Randy, who went flying, landing hard on the ice and dislocating his shoulder. Here he is at the hospital, still in his hockey pants, because yeah, he’s a bad-ass.

Unshaken, Mason and Quaid then scored the next two goals. Justin picked up another apple and Mason ended the evening with a goal and 2 assists.

Unfortunately, the fun was marred at the end when the Polar Bears’ tendy took offense at JR shooting the puck right at the buzzer, taking a swipe with his paddle and even dropping the gloves! Okay, it was a frustrating night, but it certainly didn’t call for that.

To emphasize the defense’s contribution to the game, to mark his return and to thank him for the slap shot to the tender’s head, Sanguinet was awarded to Chadd as the MVP. Unfortunately, he didn’t take Sanger home because he knew he wasn’t going to be able to make it to the next game. Congrats, anyways!

Starting on the 12th, we will have the potential of 9 games in 9 days, with the addition of the Spring Thaw tournament to our already busy regular season schedule. I will do my best to keep up with this blistering pace, but I can’t guarantee I’ll get them all.

April 1, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 5 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=24526&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/0lV1RxLH6qU
Goals at: 12:20, 35:24, 36:10, 45:14 and 50:10

April 2, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Bandits 2 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=24761&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/cfwjLudyuRc
Goals at: 44:43, 54:20

Another busy weekend for the hamsters, including a glorious return to the rink by our beloved Sanguinet! First up was a late-night game with the Polar Bears. We were a bit short-benched, with only 4 defense, 3 forwards, 2 centers, and a Shae in a pear tree (well, crease, anyway). The memory of our defeat to the ‘Bears in our previous meeting was fresh and painful, so despite the extra ice time, we were determined to come out on top this time.

Manny (Polar Bears) was of course being Manny, skating circles around all of us. But unlike a certain player on another certain team, even though manny could probably give us a pretty good run if it was only him and their goalie, he continued to feed his teammates selflessly.

On our side, Shea was up to his usual self, facing 33 shots with ice in his veins, and 1 particularly greasy one that slipped past and must have made the handle of his stick slippery, because when he got up, it went flying across the ice. Adam spent a couple minutes in the penalty box talking to Sanguinet about it, though. 🙂

Offensively, Mason kind of stole the show with a hat trick and an apple on the evening. The assist was a beautiful no-look centering pass that surprised Todd so much, his reflex action knocked the puck in the net! More often than not, though, it was Adam shepherding the puck into the zone, keeping it headed to the net, even from the seat of his pants.

In the end, though, Sangunet went home with Dorsey, who played a fantastic defensive game. He can be seen here doing his best Shoresy impression. It’s a bit blurry because of all the steam rising from his legs which got a serious workout.

Our second game of the weekend was a match-up with the Bandits, our first time seeing them in their (rather sinister) all-black jerseys. The first period was dominated by the bandits, played mostly in our defensive end and with only 1 shot on goal. We thought we were going to have to settle in for a long defensive game.

But Shae was channeling his inner Dominic Hasek/Patrick Roy/Martin Brodeur, with plenty of glove saves, but also a couple paddle beauties and a windmill save that even Neo would be proud of. We finished the night with the SOG a whopping 39 – 6 in favor of the Bandits (yes, that’s a real statistic), yet we came out on top with the big numbers up on the scoreboard.

In the third, Seth changed up the lines and put together a “power line” of Mason, Kevin and Quaid which worked beautifully. Mason got us on the board with a sweet wrap-around goal just one minute into the period, and Randy added on the GWG mid-way through. The Bandits were tired, but still put on a tough offensive game, but we (mostly Shae) held strong and polished off the win, our fourth in a row and second in a row against the Bandits.

The improvements in this team over the course of the season cannot be overstated. Of course there are elements that still need a lot of work, but in many areas we are really starting to “click”, and I for one can’t wait to see what we can do in the playoffs. Lets Go Hamsters!

March 26, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Horned Broncos 4 – 3
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=24757&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/0trq6OWgUEw
Goals at: 02:43, 36:52, 48:41, 1:00:10

Okay, so the video looks a little different this time. LiveBarn didn’t offer the normal view, but only the panorama. And don’t stare directly at the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. We played a rare afternoon game against our toughest rivals, the Horned Broncos, and we emerged victorious, giving us back-to-back wins versus stronger teams in our division!

The Broncos struck quickly, with 2 goals in the first 5 minutes of the game, but while their scoring was limited to one player, we spread the love around, with no unassisted goals and 6 different players notching points in the game. We still need to work on communicating with each other during the game, but our defense has helped us hold the offensive zone a lot more, and players are consistently getting to the right place to make a play.

Penalties could have really killed us in this game, with a pair of bench minors for too many players on the ice, one of which resulted in a PP goal for the Broncos. But, as it is every player’s god-given right to bitch about the officiating, we have to mention that Chelsie’s tripping call was complete crap (but we got a SH goal, anyway) and there were a few blatant non-calls going the other way. Still the final scoreboard display wound up in our favor.

Shae was his usual awesome self, facing almost double the shots of the opposing goalie. A collection of kick saves and at least one paddle save that I saw made it clear why he has taken home the MVP trophy more times than anyone else.

But this time, the MVP flag (Sanguinet still hasn’t made his way back to the rink) went to Jim, who embodied the concept of continuing to throw the puck on net when he scored the game-winning goal late in the third, while on his butt! Well, he says he was technically still in the process of falling, but check the video folks. There was definitely ass-to-ice contact.