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.

March 18, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Voodoo Puckers 5 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=24515&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/MUuwTOR7RCs
Goals at: 03:21, 07:14, 28:55, 34:31 and 46:09

We finally got our white jerseys, and they look fantastic! More importantly, we are undefeated while wearing them! Last night we squared off against the Voodoo Puckers, the best team in our division and one that we had never beaten in our previous 6 meetings. We have now beaten each team in our division at least once.

But last night was different. True, we had a packed bench, while they only had 10, but I could point to that if we squeaked by with a one-point win. But a dominant 5-1 win? You can’t blame that on bench depth. Dorsey even stayed vertical, except when he was pretty spectacularly tripped. 🙂

Our numbers did allow us pretty quick changes, which meant we could skate more aggressively, which translated into more puck battle wins and more shots on goal. Our passes were crisper and more accurate, leading to more than one odd-man rush into the offensive zone.

But it probably comes as no surprise to anyone who has read these posts that yet again, the key to our success was our amazing tendy, who only let one puck fired from a very skilled set of shooters past him, earning him the substitute MVP trophy. Why substitute? Well, because Sanguinet hasn’t made it back to the rink since the last time Shae won! 🙂

We still need to work on maintaining posession, breaking out of our zone and general awareness on the ice, but my favorite quote of the night came from our fearless leader on the bench when he exclaimed, “I want to take this team to the playoffs!”

Hopefully we can keep this momentum going against our nemesis, the Horned Broncos, when we meet them on Sunday the 26th. See you there!

March 5, 2023 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 5 – 1
Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com//oss-scoresheet?game_id=24623&mode=display
Video Link: https://youtu.be/WvL9kSArHdE
Goals at 37:54, 42:28, 45:30, 53:20, 56:55

This time we feature a late-night game against the Polar Bears, the funnest team to play with, and not just because they are the only team we have a winning record against. According to Team Cowboy, we were going to have a short bench, but we wound up with 12. The ‘Bears were not so lucky, bringing only 8 to the party. But one of them, Manny, pulled an iron man. And not only was he on the ice the whole time, he was freakin everywhere on the ice. Every time I went for the puck, there was Manny. Every time I passed the puck, there he was picking it off. Early in the first, you can see him skating, almost leisurely, around the offensive zone, weaving in and out of not only purple, but also white jerseys. You get the feeling he was f**king with us.

After a slow start (the first goal coming with just 4 minutes left in the second), the flood gates opened. Kevin got us off the schneide with a nifty goal toward the end of the second. We started the third knotted at 1. But then it was time for the Mason show. After regailing us in the locker room with stories of his time as an infant in the Finnish army, learning to fight terrorists by walking through napalm, he turned on the jets in the third, pulling off a natty hatty and putting the game out of reach for the ‘Bears. JR tacked one on with a bit of a floater with 4 minutes left to bring us to our final score, 5 – 1.

In the “Battle of the Randalls”, Shae was his usual awesome self, keeping 22 of the 23 shots sent his way out of the net, whereas dad faced far fewer shots, but more found their way past. See, Shae, this is why we don’t back-check: so you can get those sweet, sweet .950+ save percentages!

In the end, it was time for Sanguinet to find a new home, and even though Shae was a hero as usual, and the next day was Laurel’s birthday, the hat trick made the choice obvious, and he went home with Mason.

After the game, I was proud to be able to present the team with a commemorative puck I put together. Because all of you show up week after week, I get to actually play a game I’ve loved most of my life. Thanks! For those that couldn’t make it, I’ll keep bringing the box until everyone does. I have a few extras; I’ve got one for Ryan Reed, and I figured one for each of our sub goalies. If there is someone else you think deserves one, let me know.