Once an easy win...once a collapse...forever a comeback.

2 and 7.

 Ladies and Gentleman, that's what we were. A record of a dysfunctional team. The record of a team that could be classified as the 'joke of the league'. We were the Colts. We were the Astros. We were the Charlotte Bobcats. Do we get how bad that was?


What a disaster. (how do you get Peyton Manning under the salary cap!!??!!)

We were the turtles. A team found cowering at the very thought of a lead in the last 5 minutes of a game. A team that came up with many different ways to lose. Heartbreaking losses in the last minute or overtime. A defenseman knocking the ball into his own net not once but twice in a one goal loss. We lost because of lack scoring one week. The next week it was goal tending. Other weeks it was poor defense. Some weeks we lost because we crapped our pants in all facets of the game. It was very clear that we just weren't good enough.

Change was needed.

Think about what happened in our game on Monday night:

 -We had a 3-1 lead...lost it. Trailed 5-3 with 5 minutes to go.

-We saw Bobcat arguing to death over a little play, that, you know, happens sometimes.

-We saw an indescribably bad lack of hustle by the dmen to get to the red line with 2 minutes to go while being down a goal. We lost a scoring chance over it. Unacceptable.

-We saw countless would-be goals get robbed. Especially Ron. (if only Johnny had that much time to shoot..teehee)

-We saw Borges royally mess up a 3 on 1.

-The heart and soul of the team had his knee combust. Poof!

-There was like 10 breakaways against us (not kidding)

-Darin looked like Tony in net (is that a compliment?)

-We were missing Griff

All the makings of the signature Alliance collapse.

But like so many times over the past few weeks...Change happened.

After falling behind, the "here we go again" feeling enveloped the bench. Another heartbreak. Another blown lead. Another "not good enough" performance. Sticks would be thrown. Hissy fits by others would be partially entertaining to watch from a far. Frustrated head shakes of disbelief all around on the bench. The not so sincere "good game" hand shake to the other team was on its way. The next Johnny is over the hill, the world is over recap was being written. Just another week. Just another Alliance blunder.

But not this time. This time was different.

After falling behind 5-3, we owned the play. We flat out dominated in fact.

(except for that disgusting non hustle play by the defense. Grhh...We have all not made it "in time" back to the red line for the keep, but with 2 minutes on the clock down by ONE!!!!!! AHHHHH!!! Digress! Digress! Digress! Serenity Now! Cant happen!!)

Anyways...

We played the best hockey we can play in the last 5 minutes. The defense transitioned and pinched in at the right moments. The offense did an excellent job carrying and controlling the play and tempo. Fantastic. We have to play like that in the play-offs. We could go far if we do. Speed, hustle and smart play wins. We did it all, that's why we came back.


The fourth goal was a goal by the captain, an unimportant goal that means nothing unless we scored another.

In came Saugus' shooting star.

The reality is Johnny has become the butt of the recap with Frendon missing. But unlike Frendon, Johnny was able to show some skill and made me eat my words, a little (see frendon, not playing doesn't keep you from being in the recap)

With 12 seconds to go, Riley tied the game up with a gorgeous shot. He picked the corner. Unbelievably clutch. Great shot. John Riley circa 2004.
Darin had to return to the net from the bench...don't forget your pads!!!! Packing up, Darin?? No confidence in your team...tsk..tsk. He is more like Brett than I thought.

To Overtime we go!

Ok, I know what you're thinking...how did we end up losing the game? There's a rolodex:

-A goal scored off our own defenseman's stick?

-Another breakaway with someone running behind him with that sad Johnny "reach"?

-A Dman being too offensively aggressive allowing a 2 on 1 (that's for Bob's soap box)


What felt like 10 seconds into OT we got a long, (like really long...he may still be winding up) Borges slap shot, Jared with a deflection. GOAL!

 Let the celebration begin! 12 guys acting like Frendon after a GAMEWINNNAAHHH!!

The other team had to have hated us...a form of flattery if you ask me.

5 in a row baby! Playoffs are looming...has the shell been broken?

Next game @ 6...Borges where was the recap in the form of a text??