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.