Hockey this weekend

Due to hockeytown being closed this Sunday (for Easter) we have the rink on Saturday afternoon from 3-5. We are supposed to have great weather for it.

There will be a few people out as they want to play in the puddles: Lenny, Chris. Brendon will be out too, but he'll be at the calling hours for his grandmother. Billy and Mike D are at their 2-day assembly.

So who is in? I would think: myself, Nick, Brad, Jared, Brett, Griff, Mike W, Darrin. Steve F (goalie) and Steve P are in.

Haven't heard from: Reggie, Ron, Lee.

The only other possiblity would be to play Sunday at an outdoor rink like Lawrence or Methuen (sometime around 3:30). The surface isn't as good, and no guarantee we get the rink we want (or that it will be dry). Let me know what everyone thinks. We could always do Saturday just with a smaller group (4 on 4).

Finally, the hockey party to plan for the Canada tourneys...we're planning for sometime Saturday evening, but would people want to do Sunday instead? I know there's a Sox game on...we can watch that afterwards or have it on in the background if we are still planning. If we kept hockey on Saturday and did the party on Sunday then we can plan the party at 4:00 in the afternoon. Let me know what you guys think: Griff, Jared, Brett, Darrin, Nick, Brendon, Ron. When we determine the date and time we can talk more specifics: food, beer, which wives are coming, etc.

Grand Theft

What gives a team a greater chance at winning? Is it a high power offense or stingy defense? Some will argue that it's a combination of both, you cant sustain success while missing one of these components. But no matter what the team's skill there is always an X-factor. It could be the team's chemistry, a team's faith in outcome or perhaps even the confidence level of each individual player. There are so many factors of winning, you couldn't possibly name them all. But, there is one factor that sometimes gets overlooked. One fundamental factor that can steal you a game or lose you a game. He stands within the posts. He is the man that has the single greatest impact on a team. And for the first time, in a long time, people recognized the talent. People realized how one man, against five, who is playing the position in a stupefying manor, is the greatest part of our sport. The most exciting thing I have seen at hockey in a long time...and I was on the losing end. I hope you took note, we may not see a performance like that anytime soon.

*Game 1: The Final Score was 5-4 in favor of the White team. It was a game that started late because a goalie was late...but he was worth the wait. "I have seen countless shutouts at hockey town over the last few years. Some I come away with impressed, others very forgetful. But, I say with complete honesty, the performance we just witnessed was better than any shutout I have seen" said one scout. It certainly was a fantastic display of talent. The game winner, in one of our longest games of the year, went to Billy on screened shot. A devastating blow to the entire Dark Team.

*Game 2: Because someone was late and because someone made us finish earlier than we had to (same person) we actually didn't get to finish a second game. The final score was 3-2 in favor of the White Team. This game was poorly played, unorganized and rushed. But, nonetheless, I had a few points and that means a good time.

Nick's Rambling's

Johnny, did you play net too? Sorry guys for the short recap but it was a rather uneventful week. I hope to do a "spotlight" some time this week. Andre, show me your dark side! Lenny, Brad, Reggie and Shane, my team is better. So Darrin, how many times has Brett asked you? A hundred? Btw, love the Robin Hood picture, the Cheshire Cat is better though. Lenny and Steve, how was bowling? We missed you guys. Griff, did you make anyone mad this week? Are you okay? Brad, your return was interesting. Joe, you better be checking the blog from Italy. Brendon, you know what to do. Mike, have fun at your two day. It will be fun starring out the big windows seeing the sunny 70 degree day we have coming up on Saturday. Looks like a Saturday game coming up with Easter on Sunday, John will fill us in later in the week. My WP% went down this week, does that mean I can complain? We lost because of my play, so I don't have much to complain about. Looks like only 7 more weeks of hockey until the off season. Big Board, should we give up?

Title

3-26-10

T.G.I.F.

5 Brad - Was able to utilize one of his few talents(not trying to give a backhanded comment) this game as he was able to capitalize on one of Darrin’s few mistakes and potted a goal to give his team what would be their last lead at 4-3. Brad was able to do the little things right this game though, as he more often than not got the puck out of the zone when his team was under pressure.

4 Jared - The scoring chances were definitely there for Jared as well as his entire team, and Jared proved to be the biggest threat to either score or set up a scoring chance, most notably his beautiful cross-crease pass to Brendon for a goal that even he couldn’t mess up :)

3 Mike W - Known for his defensive effort most weeks, Mike had to jump up to help what seemed to be a weak offensive unit for the white team. Mike is coming back to form quicker than expected and was able to show that he’s added goal scoring to his repertoire of abilities

2 Brett - Having a part in every goal scored in the game for their team is a tough feat, but that’s just what Brett did. Setting up MVW for easy tap in goals and Billy T for the game winner. But even more noticeable was his ability to get by Nick(arguably the best defensemen) consistently for scoring chances.

1 Darrin - In a week where top picks were slim, Darrin was picked 2nd yet proved he should have been first. His slow start to the game had his teammates questioning what was suppose to be their “edge” against the dark team, but Darrin’s highlight reel saves at the end of the game enabled his team to hang on just long enough to squeak out the clutch win. He’s ready for Montreal.

Honorable Mention:

Brendon - had his share of goals, played a decent all around game. Has to show some more effort to get back to cover Brett who played opposite center against his will also.

Chris Sr. - Played harder than expected up on offense, didn’t stop hustling and fore-checking.

Matt D - Again not known to produce offense, and none of these players were really too close to making the list, but definitely deserve to be noticed for their effort for all 70 minutes of game 1.

Friday at 6:00, Outdoor rink

Hockey tomorrow night at 6:00. We are supposed to get some rain in the morning, but it should be gone by the time we play.

Goalies: Darrin, X (either Griff, myself or Chris Coangelo)

In: John, Nick, Brad, Jared, Mike W, Brendon, Micah, Billy, Mike D, Chris.

Not sure: Steve P, Brett

Out: Lenny, Steve, Dale, Reggie

Hockey this Sunday - Outside @ 5:45

Alright guys, let's make up for last week's debacle with some good games this week. The number of weeks we have left in the season is probably down to the single digits.

Out this week: Brad, Matt S, Joe

Doubtful: Lee

In: John, Nick, Jared, Brendon, Lenny, Chris, Mike D, Mike Ward, Billy T, Reggie, Steve

Haven't heard from: Brett, Darrin, Steve, Micah, Griff, Matt P, Ron, Steve P, Dale

One further note: check back later today / this weekend for an update on some projections that were made at the start of the year.

Hockey on Sunday, 5:45 (Outdoor Rink)

Hey guys,

Yes, we are playing at six, but there is a group after us at 8 so we need to make sure that we start on time. Jared and I will be there before 5:45 to pick up teams, so let's make sure we can start before 6.

An update for you.

Hey guys, stats are up.

Ideally, a Saturday game would make the recap easier to get up, in fact, it would have been up yesterday. But nothing works out the way it's supposed to. With my computer broken at the moment, I have limited computer access. I will do my best to get the recap up, but no promises.