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?”).