Football Saturday afternoon

Football has been fun the past couple of weeks, although we obviously are supposed to get some snow tonight.  Would it be possible to still play football?

If not, would anyone want to play hockey this Saturday afternoon?  Based upon the snow storm coming that evening we should likely try to play earlier in the afternoon.

Hopefully we can play hockey more regularly going forward, although I am always willing to have football in the mix too.

Update: In for football so far: John, Nick, Billy, Mike D, Justin, Jared

Ricardo...Ricky Riccardo! Babalu!

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, or forget all together, but B Squared is back baby!

Three weeks of football in the books, it's time to rank the players for what is sure to be a good time ruined by brendon this saturday! 

12. The guy with a beard justin invited- Definately struggled on the line as speed was not his best attribute.  Im pretty sure he cant talk communicate either, which made coaching him difficult.

11. Brendon-  Here's a compliment sandwich; Brendon brought us the flags which was helpful, although he was the worst player there and halted the game a half hour while we all watched in amazement as he once again thought electrical taping a rolled ankle was a rational idea, he knows a lot of football terms.

10. Justin- Is Justin a good quarterback?  No, but this guy can dial up some blitz packages and offensive schemes that gave Jared and the rest of the mostly red flag team problems all day.

9. Demaio- Mike is pretty decent at football, granted there was no need for anyone to cover brendon because he's not ready for the ball to be thrown at him, but good blocking and some nice catches.

8. Nick- A tough reality check for Nick as he was abused by Griff on the line.  Defensively a little better,  but definately trending down from what was a solid performance in the snow bowl two weeks ago.

7. Brett-  Brett simply does not provide enough upside for a top draft pick.  Injury concerns as well as attitude problems will always plague his career and leave those drafting him wanting more.

6. Johnny- Johnny had a great game saturday, and was probably the best receiver on either team.  connected with Jared on a long bomb and let the mostly red flags in receiving touch downs.  Quarterback play was dissapointing however, which keeps him outside the top 5.

5. Ward- Not sure why he's this high, but the list is already compiled and tough to remember every one as you are typing.  He needs cleats, coaching, a playbook, and maybe a red bull to ever have a chance to be as good as high rival zack.

4. Zack- Hey turns out zack is pretty good at sports, just not street hockey, which isn't a sport.  Offensively he was the fastest guy out there who no one could cover.  If we ever find some one who can throw a football like a normal person he would be the best player out there.

3. Jared-  Hey he's not great at QB, but like Trent Dilfer, he wins.  Survived an ambush by Griff on every play, Jared led the team to a decisive victory over the blues by using his legs.  Also had a couple of impromptu laterals that iced the game.

2. JB-  Borges scored 5 touchdowns walking down the the field with a terrifying stiff arm.  He also overwhelmed Leighton offensively with his ability to get open without actually running.

1b. Griff- As close as one can come to a great game in flag football, Griff was able to tune out brendon and not huddle up after every defensive play and showed why football games are won in the trenches.

1a. Jon Ignacio- The only thing we learned from football saturday is that we are still not ready to take on ignacio. A dwarf amongst midgets, this 5 tool superstar has it all.  Perhaps in the coming weeks we can learn from him and adapt our game to maybe one day challenge his team again.

Hockey / Football This Saturday?

Assuming that my back is better by then (it's feeling pretty good today), would anyone want to do football or hockey this Saturday?  This Sunday is a pretty big Pats game so I am not going to bother trying to plan a hockey game for Sunday evening.  The following weekend I probably could not play hockey unless it's around 2:00 Saturday afternoon.

So that leaves this Saturday for either hockey or football.  Who would be in, and for which one?

Hockey This Saturday at 7:00, inside

Who would be able to play this weekend?  The Pats are on Monday night so Sunday could be an option, or Saturday late afternoon / evening could be a possibility too.

Let me know if you are able to play, and which day.  I will update this main post to reflect who can make it.

For Saturday: Billy, John, Brett, Steve F, Lenny, Mike D, Joe, Nick, Jared, Mike W, Jon B, Darrin

For Sunday: Billy, John, Tony + 2, Mike D, Brendon, Lenny, Nick, Jared, Mike W, Elliot, Andrew, Brett, Bobby (G), Joe


Update again:  Sunday didn't work out for some we are going to play Saturday instead.  Indoor rink at 7:00.

Weekly Power Rankings

12-3-12

Moral Victory

12 Unlisted – This spot will be removed from the ranking system.

11 Griff (-1) – Definitely would’ve been a game for him. Having him stand in front of Kenny and distract him could’ve helped out big time and he probably could’ve banged in a goal.

10 Mike D (+1) – He showed up and had the same impact on the game that he usually does.

9 Nick (E) – We here at WPR understand your dilemma with schedule. But you could have really helped share the workload for Billy and JB.

8 Mike W (E) – He’s missing that one go to move. He needs to be refined just a bit. But he has the greatest up side of anyone on the team. If he could just get a little better at ball handling and shooting he could be a top 4 player. The good thing is that it could all just come with simply playing games.

7 Darrin (-1) – Again we missed you Darrin. Just simply knowing to take a step forward when a guy is winding up at the point for a shot instead of sinking back into the net could have saved a goal.

6 Ron (+1) – Seemed to be deeper in the zone, more involved in the play and is probably the best ball handler on the team. He was doing more and that a good sign. Although maybe it’s cause he was forced to do more with only 7 guys showing.

5 Billy (E) – Playing the whole game is no small feat, especially verse the top seeded team in the league. And even though there were some mistakes I blame it on being tired.

4 Brett (E) – Gave a boost to the offense coming late. He was able to back the defense off and open up some room for himself and others. He was shooting more but was just missing the net. Oh if only Jared, John and Brett could be on a line together with JB on D. We’ll never know.

3 John (E) – I thought his goal was actually going to put the Gamewinners on top for good. Played a good game. I’d like to see him handle the ball more, not just to try and deke and get a shot himself or immediately dump it to Brett or Jared and try to get himself open, but maybe draw a defenseman to him to open up a pass to Jared for a breakaway or something like that.

2 Borges (E) – The other half of the defense last night. Borges played a stellar game and jumped into the offense which created problems for the Cougars defense all night. Probably would’ve taken over first this week..…you know.....if he didn’t end up losing the game and all.

1 Jared (E) – This stay at number one has been impressive. Kenny just has his number and might be in his head a bit.

New Format

The site has been updated..

Yay??!!!??

It should make the site easier to deal with on your phones and I love how it shows the latest post and comments without having to click to view. Its right on the main page.

Like us on Facebook!//kidding.

Meh. Rant>Recap

I don’t think I have ever been on a team that got as smoked as we did last night. Embarrassed isn’t the word. "Disgraceful effort" doesn’t begin to describe what we did last night. Remember Saugus a few weeks ago? A great time compared to this. It was a slow agonizing death. 

The word is ashamed. A shameful display.

A team of players that, at best, doesn’t get better. A team whose "stars and dregs" make the same mistakes...over and over.

For instance, here are descriptions of two players. I wont even put the names, because we all know who they are. They do it every week:

1. Couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.

2.The world’s strangest slap-shot windup that creates a "shot" that may as well go backwards.

Week after week...Infuriating, frustrating and disappointing. But not surprising when you see it. A microcosm of our team.

Our entire offensive premise is to get the ball and take a slap shot...from anywhere and everywhere.  If not, lets pray for the broken play and the rebound. Or dare I say hope the rare shot that actually makes it to the net from a defenseman hits twine. There is no Triangle. There is no setup. Run around boys.

A defensive scheme that breaks down on every odd man rush. It turns into mayhem. A center that just takes the closest guy, even if he is already covered. Wingers that hang out behind their assignment. A defense that has no chance at winning a battle in the slot or transitioning an offensive breakout. A defense that is never on an opposition’s stick. If the other team gains entry, they’re camping out in our zone.

We win as many games as we do (the 2nd seed woo!), not because of skill, but because we out hustle teams. Who cares about game 7 of a 200 game season at 9pm? We do. We got that game. Win for us. But its the Pirates beating the Yankees in May. Meaningless.

Overall we are in the lower half of this league talent wise. We dont have the guys...even when we have the numbers. A flawed offense. A flawed defense. A flawed game plan.

There is no book on how to beat the Alliance. Its a fortune cookie; Not good at hockey.

But despite all of that, I have optimism. It will get better.

It can only go up from here.

Weekly Power Rankings

11-26-12

Embarrassing? Yeah I Think That’s The Word.

12 Zack (-1) – I don’t know what to say. The team knows this is probably what they’ll get most weeks.

11 Mike D (-1) – Really exposed when the whole team isn’t there.

10 Griff (+3) – Great decision to skip this week. Melissa needs him anyway.

9 Nick (E) – It’s a shame he didn’t climb the rankings more cause he’ll be missing weeks in the future and we all know what that means.

8 Mike W (E) – Typical Mike Ward game.

7 Ron (-1) – Missed a week. Wouldn’t have made a difference.

6 Darrin (+1) – John really makes you appreciate what Darrin does. Darrin’s the second player to move up by missing the week. Could there be a third?

5 Billy (E) – Would have dropped severely but saved by missing players.

4 Brett (-1) – Nope. There won’t be a third.

3 Johnny (+1) – Moved up due to a technicality. He’ll take it, but don’t get comfortable. Going take a lot more to stay here.

2 Borges (E) – Visibly hurt. Gave more of himself to that 2 hand touch game than I thought. Was it worth it? The answer is a resounding YES!

1 Jared (E) – The lone goal. Did I see Jared at center?

Weekly Power Rankings

11-23-12

2 on 2 2 Hand Touch(w/a ref) Friday and Saturday

5 Griff – The complaints spewing from his mouth on Saturdays outing, reminded me of Helen Hunt in some weird way. He almost ruined the day within 15 minutes of kickoff. He did manage to coax the ref into giving him a free touchdown and picked up a second xbox that didn’t work.

4 Borges – Some may forget that Borges has a nice little game for himself on Friday with some beautiful throws to Brett. Unfortunately the positives were dwarfed by his inability to master the whistle and being burned by Mike became a routine thing by the end of the day.

3 Brett – While Borges was declining, Brett was ascending to glory. He cleaned the butter off his hands and started catching bullets in the back of the endzone to win the last two games on Saturday.

2 Jared – A 30 yard field with a mini football was just what his dislocated shoulder called for. Hooking up with Mike in the endzone was a sight that was burned into the minds of the opposing defenses. And while he was being a Helen hunt himself on Friday, at no time did anyone feel that he would injure anyone else intentionally.

1 Mike W – Button hook? What’s that? Why go with anything but the ”go route” when you have Borges lumbering around in coverage? Mike’s defense was equally impressive picking off passes. Even with the reaction time of a sloth, Magic Mike was able to make things happen.

Weekly Power Rankings

11-19-12

Impressive

13 Griff Griffin (-1) – He made me a liar and I don’t appreciate it.

12 Mo – He’s so funny.

11 Zack (E) – This is his mulligan week. He can’t afford to miss another.

10 Mike D (E) – I know his shoulder is messed up and he can’t wind up, but he has to figure out how to get the ball in the air the whole way to the net so they can’t pick his shot off so easily.

9 Nick (-1) – That shot is really costing the team goals. The chances are coming in bushels and nothing is coming of them. It wasn’t too long ago when Nick wished he could get the chances that Borges gets. You’re getting them Nick.

8 Mike W (+1) – Leading the Gamewinners right out of the gate with the first goal of the game on a tough angle, weak backhander that the goalie knocked in himself. They don’t ask how right? I’ll tell you one thing though, he loves watching the other team pass the ball around when he’s playing defense.

7 Darrin (E) – Second week in a row where he’s been victimized by his own defenses breakdowns and faced shots that are near impossible to save. But still need that big save. If you haven’t noticed, breakdowns are kinda this team’s specialty. They need you to come up big more often. Maybe if you could’ve stopped that bowling ball of a man’s breakaway I could've accepted your performance tonight.

6 Ron (E) – Didn’t notice Ron too much tonight. Nothing stands out as a great play or bad play. Maybe I’m missing something though.

5 Billy (-1) – Did nothing egregious to move down a spot. And I was actually impressed with his keep ins all game long. There was a 4 minute stretch in the first period where the defensemen kept the play in zone like 5 times. But sometimes others just have a great game.

4 Johnny (+1) – Two great goals by Johnny. Big goals that the Gamewinners desperately needed from him tonight. Way to step it up. Although he was late….he should probably be marked down for that….it’s already typed. Oh well.

3 Brett (-1) – Yes he was deathly ill, and like a soldier he gave the team everything he had. Unfortunately that translated into a bunch of turnovers and defensive play that’s been lacking over the past several weeks come to think of it. Has anyone else notice that too? The game winner was his only saving grace. WPR loves himself a game winner.

2 Borges (+1) – He racks up the points even if that involves a vulture assist on Jared’s EN goal at the end. He was clutch this game netting the tying goal and making an even more beautiful airmailed pass to send Brett in for the winning goal. But I love nitpicking, and that turnover in the neutral zone that led to a goal the other way kept him from reaching the top of WPR mountain this week.

1 Jared (E) – Jared has no sympathy for his teammates and no excuses either. He saw Brett struggling to make plays and called him on it. He belittled the kid on the other team for a good solid minute during play for faking an injury. He coached up the team during a timeout and wanted no heroes this game. We may have a new captain on our hands. Lead them Jared. Lead them.

Weekly Power Rankings

11-12-12

Where Was the Countdown?

12 Griff (-2) – I know he’ll be in next week. I just know it.

11 Zack (+1) – We might not need Brendon if Zack keeps improving like I think he has been. He’s been covering his man better at the point and his fore-checking is causing turnovers.

10 Mike D (+1) – Has really been solid on defense the past few weeks in a row. But rumor has it he hates defense. That’s a shame.

9 Mike W (E) – Is really a better solution than having Brett on defense. He has the same speed and maybe even more grit and determination to get the ball.

8 Nick (E) – Had a slow start to the game being beat by the net hangers. A team we all knew had a bunch of them. But he played shutdown most of the night and was available for a bunch of shots from the point. Was it the stick Nick?

7 Darrin (-1) – They always say a goalie likes getting some shots so they can get in the rhythm of the game but that didn’t happen. He faced shots that were near impossible to stop. But you still want your goalie to come up with 1 big save to get the team fired up. That did happen either.

6 Ron (+2) – You know what you’re getting with Ron. He lives and dies by the slapshot. This week he was letting it rip whenever possible and got a key goal. But he also saved a goal by going down Jeremy smith style circa 2007 and taking one in the stomach to preserve the win.

5 Johnny (-1) – Couple weeks in a row with no goals and maybe even no assists. It’s not from a lack of chances. I actually think playing in Saugus messes him up for Monday nights.

4 Billy (+1) – Continues the climb. That’s 4 spots now. Had multiple highlight plays on defense a few of them being stopping the 2 on 1 and 3 on 1. I was even impressed on the play where the guy tried to go through his feet and Billy was having none of that. Seems to have simplified his game and takes pride in his role on the team.

3 Borges (-1) – He had a couple goals and some assists, that wasn’t enough to keep him in this spot this week. Blaming Nick for not counting down the clock was just a terrible display of captaincy. Despicable really. He’ll let others know when they make mistakes but when he makes mistakes he tries to pass the buck. It ok to make mistakes Borges. He seems to like to blame nick for everything dating back to 2011 Montreal.

2 Brett (+1) – Passing up glorious chances at scoring to pass. Needs to trust his shot which he never has in the past. Brett’s a player that lives and dies by the pass. He shoots so few times a game that when he does go for a shot it looks like a Johnny Riley slapper. And while he was part of that terrible line change, he didn’t blame Nick for it.

1 Jared (E) – His greatest game of the season 2 weeks ago won’t show up on the season stats. But WPR knows it happened. And that’s all that matters. Last night was another solid game from Jared and is enough to give him a big lead over second place.

Weekly Power Rankings

11-10-12

Re-Do

5 Jared – His ingenuity and innovation is second to none. Combine that with pocket presence and an incredibly strong throwing arm and you got yourself quite a weapon at your disposal. But a drop on a perfect pass that hit him right in the chest was devastating. I know someone else who never would’ve dropped that.

4 Brett – With the build of a WR and the heart of a lineman, Brett was willing to do anything, like drive 2 hours to play a crappy game of flag football, or even willing to disregard the play call and run around doing whatever he wanted to. It’s called the “Get open” play. It worked.

3 Polomalu – A man among boys when it comes to catching the ball. A talent that defines our generation. This kid knows how to get open and the desire to be sent out for a pass burns within him every play. Jared was able to recognize that and connected with him on the team’s first TD of the game.

2 Caleb – With a heart of gold, this cheerful young lad never gave up, even when he had men 3 times his size and age covering him and tackling him and smashing his face into the mud. Caleb was always the first one back to the huddle and getting ready for the next play.

1 Borges – I’d want no one else to be my QB when in the 2 minute drill. With the sun descending and the game inching ever closer to it’s end, Borges led the red flags down the field and scored on a pass to Brett. Then stopped the other team on 4th and 2. And finally ended the game on a perfect pass to Jared for the go ahead TD and the win. A real pleasure to watch play the game.

Honorable Mention: Josh Maas - Never stops smiling and blew up the pocket more than a few times.

Hockey this weekend in Saugus

So far, this is what we have for today:

John, Nick, Billy, Brett, Jared, Mike W, Lenny, Joe, JB (23%), Tony (G), Rick (G)

I am waiting to hear from at least two or three more guys before booking the rink.  Lenny said that both Chris Y's are probable, so if they were to definitely play then we could probably book the rink.

I am going out in service this morning, and if we get at least 2 or 3 definites by the time I get home then I will book the rink.  So I should have an update on this site as to whether we can play by noon.

Weekly Power Rankings

11-5-12

Not Bad At All

12 Zack (E) – One of his better games. Fore-checking has to remain a huge part of his performance every week.

11 Mike D (-1) – Again a solid performance, but one glaring pass up the middle right in the slot to the other team and he was texting a lot during the game.

10 Griff (-2) – I think when he texts “out” his phone autocorrects it to “in” for some reason.

9 Mike W (+2) – Better than I expected and hoped for. Winning battles and carrying the ball was actually impressive.

8 Ron (+1) – Hung around the blue line a lot which you don’t really mind. Having him completes a line and gives the Gamewinners at least 1 legit forward line.

7 Nick (-1) – Just be happy it was only 1 spot this week.

6 Darrin (-1) – He was pretty good game 1 on Saturday.

5 Billy (+2) – Broke up a couple odd man rushes and did a great job keeping everything to the outside. Question. Who honestly thought Billy would be top five? Not even Billy did.

4 Johnny (E) – In danger of being forgotten. Actually thought his defensive play was better than his offensive play this week. But gotta cut him some slack in a week with only 2 goals for the team.

3 Brett (E) – Netted what eventually turned out to be the game winner on a breakaway goal but didn’t carry the ball as much as usual.

2 Borges (E) – His goal keeps him from losing this spot to Brett, but it’s not enough to vault him into first. Has anyone else noticed his faceoff percentage dropping? Not that anyone else could do better. Just saying.

1 Jared (E) – Had five goals last week. That should hold him for a good long time.

The Choir Showed Up...As always

"How can you be preaching to the choir when the choir doesn't come to the church anymore? Not buying it."

I never responded to this anonymous comment because it was just so off base. It was so out of touch. It was so asinine that it didn't deserve a modicum of my time or consideration. The rose colored glasses have to go. What a complete moron you must be. But keep hiding behind that anonymous tag. 

Today, Im responding to you. Belated, but Im completely on point. I wish I was speaking in my usual hyperbole and exaggeration, but Im just stating the facts:

Saugus hockey disappeared not because of Johnny, Nick, Billy,Jared, Brett, Jb, Griff, Frendon, or Mike but because of all of you "maybes" out there. The ones that could only play on a certain Saturday in a obscure window of time on some random afternoon. Saugus ended because of all of those guys that didn't respond to inquiring text messages or blog posts. And who doesn't love the "ill be there" line, to only be bailed on at the last moment? Weak.

That was the case yet again last night. "The choir" not only showed but orchestrated everything. We fought tooth and nail to try and get a game on. We put forth all the effort to get Saugus started up again and not one person that said they wanted Saugus back showed up. Awesome.

Some would say It was a one week, last minute example. Give it another shot. Im just failing to see the point anymore. I've seen this before.

Lenny, we came back, but it was back to what we left in the first place. The same 8 guys looking at each other wondering why they even bothered.

I wanted Saugus back, but not like this.

Long Live the King.

Montreal 2012 Tournament Stats

Only 5 games were captured on film out of the 7. That's what theses stats are based on. Game 1 on Saturday and Game 1 of the Playoffs weren't captured on film.


Name.....Goals.....Assists.....Points.....+/-

Brett.........11............11..............22........+27


Jared.........11.............8..............19........+24


Borges.......10.............5..............15........+23


Eric............4..............3...............7..........+4


Griff..........6..............2...............8............E


Nick..........1..............1...............2...........+4



Name........Shots........Goals Against........Save %........GAA


Darrin...........122..................17........................86...............3.4

Sunday night hockey - November 11th

Hi guys,

Going to schedule a Sunday night game on the 14th if there is enough people to play.  Let me know who can make it.  I'd probably make it for 5 or 6 pm.

Weekly Power Ranings

10-22-12

What Is Going On

12 Zack (-1) – I was wrong. Zack has moved from the 11th spot.

11 Mike W (-2) – Would have been less of a drop if he just stayed home probably. But it looks worse than it is because now there’s one more spot on the rankings. Hitting the crossbar counts for nothing.

10 Mike D (E) – Was probably the best defensemen out there last night. Some nice board work and got it out almost every time.

9 Ron (-3) – Maybe next week.

8 Griff (-1) – We miss you Griff. The Sportszone just isn’t the same without you.

7 Billy (+1) – Our first positive mover up the list. Mainly because of others not showing, but slightly because of some nice keep ins and looked a bit more confident with the ball.

6 Nick (-2) – Sorry Nick. Rules is Rules.

5 Darrin – A less than impressive showing from Darrin. Got a little too bold with playing the ball and it cost us the tying goal and almost the game.

4 Johnny (+1) – Johnny had a “Mike Ward-esque” type of game. Go ahead and try to recount a nice series of plays from Johnny last night…………..I’m waiting. And yet he still moves up a spot.

3 Brett (E) – It’s a good thing they don’t keep track of plus minus in the league. Carrying the ball was fine but I’m starting to think that it doesn’t happen enough in a game to make it worth it. Defensive play was nowhere near what it needs to be. This experiment might be coming to an end.

2 Borges (-1) – Out of all his plays last night, which one sticks out in your mind? That whole series of events was just messed up. Never to be repeated again.

1 Jared (+1) – All five goals in the game?! That kind of game use to get your name etched into the Sunday Night Saugus Hockey Leagues record books. A flat out great game from Jared. Just make sure you keep working on that defensive awareness of yours.

Earthquake! We shall rebuild.

Why? Why do we do this to ourselves?

10 o'clock at night, while most of America enjoys Monday night football, storage wars reruns and chance to get some Zs before work the next day, we decide that playing dek hockey is worth it.  Good for us.

The truth is we couldn't win last night. If we dominated the North Stars then we just did what we were supposed to do. If we stumbled, tripped up or dare i say collapsed, it would have been another reason to just give up. A reason to finally get a hobby that we are actually good at (checkers??).

So yet another Monday at Dracut has come and gone. A new jersey but the same sad results. A lineup shakeup but with the same incompetencies. Strategy assertions have come in droves but have lead to things unchanged.

Its so much more than just a lack of talent despite that being a major obstacle. Its our fundamentals. We are the Patriots secondary. We back into wins. Beep. Beep.

So now we look to yet another rehashed ranking system. But this time with a twist. This is festivus style.

Frank Costanza: "And at the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year!" 

The Airing of Grievances it is. I know what you do well. You know what you do well. I dont want to hear about it. Its time to evolve, become better or at least become consistent at not being inconsistent. Every last one of us.

No sugar coating. We’ll call it constructive criticism.

A poll for everyone. I will put your name and list your 3 or 4 biggest issues and people can decide which one should be your priority to fix.

Any nominations for the first poll?

Weekly Power Rankings

10-15-12

New Format. An actual W.P.R.

From now on each player will move up, down or stay the same each week from this original ranking. Jumping or dropping 10 spots isn’t out of the question.

1 JB – Is the scoring leader and will keep scoring. His shot is his biggest asset and there are very few complaints about the season he’s having so far.

2 Jared – His speed can blowup any defense. His two breakaway goals were a bright spot this past week and keeping that going is a must.

3 Brett – Switching to D to help solidify the core and get it ready for tough games might be a longer process than originally thought but hopefully will pay off.

4 Nick – Needs to be a stud on defense if he’s going to be worth having little offensive upside. I’ve seen what he can do on defense and I’ve been very impressed.

5 Johnny – Has been getting his goals but with JB and Jared doing all the heavy lifting Johnny has been kind of a secondary scorer and creates little for others.

6 Ron – Can score from pretty much anywhere. Except from his couch. He likes the late games but then doesn’t show up for them. Puzzling.

7 Griff – Another couch dweller whose ranking is hindered by such. I actually think he’s a very valuable part of the team. And has things no one else on the Gamewinners has.

8 Billy – Seemed to be making progress in leaps and bounds and even fooled the team into feeling safe with him back there. Back to basics. Need to get back to what you were at the mid point last season.

9 Mike W – Working his way back from a knee injury and you can never have too much speed. But missing the game last night really hurts his ranking.

10 Mike D – Might be switching to wing from now on, but who knows. Have to see how he handles it. A goal last night is a good way to start. Let’s see if he can get enough confidence to take a shot without questioning it first.

11 Zack – I don’t see him moving from the 11 spot anytime soon. Unless someone misses the next 4 weeks straight maybe.

Saugus last week

Great games on Sunday at Saugus. Nice to see everyone again. I think I did OK on defense, but I'm glad I got that goal against Steve. He was on top of his game. Johnny and Brett, what a dynamic duo! And it was so nice to see all the veterans play. I mean, who needs leagues when you have such a good time at Saugus! Hope to see everyone next week!

- And then I woke up and realized that life is a little less fun without having Saugus hockey on Sunday nights. I used to know it was fall when we started playing again. It appears everyone loves the league environment, but I hope that some of you will reconsider starting up Saugus again. Not to rack up stats or to keep time, but to just have fun with some friends. And of course, to argue about offsides and Griff's checking. :)

Like Rose in the sea after the Titanic went down: Come back!

Weekly Power Rankings

10-8-12

Speed Kills

3 Nick – According to the stat guru, Nick was on the bench for the first four goals scored by Guese therefore alleviating himself of all responsibility for the loss that the Gamewinners suffered last night.

2 Borges – A points machine these past few weeks. JB is finishing on more chances than not these days. More than can be said of Brett and Jared

1 Darrin – Fifth goal was a bit on the weaker side, but he made a ton of saves in the first to keep it to only two goals and then his saves in the third were spectacular to give the Gamewinners a chance at pulling out the win. I don’t think there’s another goalie in the league that’s forced to stop more breakaways than Darrin. Then again I don’t watch any of the other games so I can’t really say that with any certainty.

Honorable Mention: Billy T

Billy was sick and stilled showed up and did his best. By the looks of it he was sick with vertigo.

It never gets old

For those that enjoy this as much as I do:

The manning face

Weekly Power Rankings

9-24-12


Retaliation


5 Darrin - Yup! Back to five spots this week with such great support. Darrin's first period of saving breakaway after breakaway was very helpful as the Chiefs really came out strong and pressured the ball and had that kid in blue just hang out at the line all night.

4 Nick - Nice to know the Gamewinners!!! will have him for half the games for the rest of the season. Nick was back to his old ways, winning board battles and was even sent on a partial breakaway that he couldn't finish and therefore remains behind Bradley in the point’s race. Plus did you see the funny face he makes when he was trying to catch up to the guy who had all the breakaways? Hilarious

3 Brett - Brett and Nick would be a perfect defensive pair if they could play together. Offensive defenseman and defensive defenseman. NHL 12 would give that pair a 100% chemistry. But unfortunately they need to be split up to make up for the likes of Billy Thomas. Brett's still keeping pace with Borges from back on defense. Jareds fallen way off the pace. Already 2 behind Brett and JB at the start of the game last night.

2 Ron - Was a sight for sore eyes. Well his moustache anyway. Forgot how awesome that thing is. Any who, Ron got some key goals and it was just great to see him working the half boards and out maneuvering the other team’s top player even though he's about 57 years older than him.

1 Johnny - With Borges and Jared not scoring, the rest of the team stepped up. Johnny especially. His first goal was, shall I say, fortunate. The ol' Johnny Riley hand-eye coordination we all came to know and love in Saugus, showed itself on his first goal. Which surprised me. The way the game was going I thought the Chiefs would score first and we all know how the Alliance play when they don’t score first(hopefully the Gamewinners are different). Johnny's first goal set the wheels in motion for the big win.

Honorable Mention: Eric

Just cause we'll never see him again in Dracut

New Jersey

it'll be more clear than the picture but you get the idea

Weekly Power Rankings

9-17-12

One Step Forward


3 Darrin - Pretty much solely on the rankings this week due to his ridiculous glove save. A save that should never have happened if Griff could've stopped a slow rolling ball with his hand instead of letting it roll through his legs right to the other team for what seemed to be an easy goal. Darrin had a solid night the rest of the night giving up 3 goals, 2 went in due to deflections.


2 Jared - Knee on Knee contact was the best thing to ever happen to Jared. It lit a fire in him and gave him another reason to score other than just the scoring title. Might smash him in the knee with a stick before the game next week. He finally scored on a break away and had one of the two power play goals on the night.


1 Borges - 4 goals automatically get you the top spot on the rankings. I thought it might be tough to score on a goalie who took up the entire net even without pads on. There's quite a log jam atop the scoring leaders for the Gamewinners


Honorable Mention: Brett

Looked really good on defense and even blocked shots. But will reserve judgement till I see him verse a more physical offense.

Weekly Power Rankings

9-11-12


This is Getting Irritating


Jared - Admitted that he needs to start finishing more and that'd be great, but he still makes plays happen than no one else on the team can make happen. In particular the penalty kill face-off win then beat both defensemen to send himself on a breakaway.


Brett - Was actually ineffective this game till he went back to defense where he could confuse the coverage by jumping into the offense (which he could've done even more than he did). Brett's speed neutralized the Black Bear's speed that was shredding the defense early in the game. If only the....GAMEWINNERS!....? figured out the line change earlier in the game maybe they could have lost in a shootout instead


JB - The only true center left on the team, able to do everything that a center should be able to do. Borges was in the middle of the comeback try, scoring a goal and setting up 2 others and almost tying it with seconds to go. The only area where he's lacking is in his managerial skills and its getting annoying. I know Ron is high maintenance and Griff is hard to motivate and Eric never shows and Nick has school, but find a way to get them there. The Gamewinners need all of them.

The New Logo

Just because..

Time for a new thread...

Good Job! Good Effort! Good Job!

Florida Year 2 Part 2

3 Videos in 1 day? Unheard of

Florida Year 2 Part 1

Tons of New video. Which is most embarrassing?

Softball Sunday @ 4:00 - Griffin Park (Windham) - Who is in?

Potato Skins

From Montreal to Florida, the Alliance had become a borderline laughing stock up and down the eastern coast of North America. We were a good ending to a bad joke. A crap team playing a mediocre style of hockey for a few months before heading off to a competition we had no business being a part of.

The greatest example of this was the Floridian debacle. Balls being shot at refs and an endless barrage of major penalties was the background noise to a Utah based goalie controversy. This tournament gave credence to seemingly objective opinions that winning wasn't taken seriously enough. It was the justification of the belief that we would never be able to compete at a high enough level to achieve the unthinkable. Perhaps a bogus gout filled thought, but a belief nonetheless. After this embarrassment the Alliance Team was on the brink of dissolving in the Arabian Sun. A lack of interest from a majority of players to ever playing in a tournament again was prevalent. It was the tipping point, the final straw. Tournament play seemed like a dead concept.

Despite the epic tournament failures the passion to keep on going burned in a few. The PlayOn hockey tournament was a chance to move on from the past. A desperate attempt at getting back into the competition. And the first roster showed it. If you had passport and a hockey stick, you were in. If this tournament had failed to live up to the hype many believed that hockey would have been relegated to two hours on a Sunday every couple of months. That despite a love of the game our collective bitterness, anger and disappointment would have closed the door on Tournament play, at least for a little while.

But that first group that went to Montreal changed everything. The dynamic was completely different after that. And that team set the tone for the three tournaments that followed. It was a team that was centered around Larry Bird like respect, steroids, an unbelievable comeback that was thought to be never be topped, and many Frendon-isms. The first year's loss stung but with the team we had, could we really have expected more?

The second attempt in Canada was the year where that hype, excitement and thought into building a roster started on the ride back home the year before. And sadly that roster didn't live up to the effort that was put into it. It didn't work, though partially because of injury and a ref that hated our cameraman. Despite the number one seed and +/- of over 20 goals, that team lost its composure and collapsed under the playoff pressure. Jack did his best to save us that final game with 36 total wrist-shots (and two or three of them were on net), but it wasn't enough. Another failure.

But blindly still everyone thought that last year was the year. It was deemed the dream team. At the time the recap read: "This was the year. This was the team. We had the offense we wanted. We had the defense we wanted. And we had a goalie. What could go wrong?".

It ended up being another epic fail, a team was left at odds during a timeout. A bitter taste was left in your mouth. Another year, another ride home with that "why bother?" feeling.

And still, all of that could be erased in 30 minutes. Those past failures as a team, as teammates and as captains would be great backdrop to the narrative of a championship win.

30 well played minutes would define not only this year but also gloss over every heartbreaking attempt before it. In fact, you could argue, those numerous agonizing defeats makes a championship win that much sweater.

It all came down to this.

The Finals:

The team we played in the semi-finals was possibly a better team than the one we played for the trophy. Bruce the Goose was a good team, don't get me wrong. But they didn't do anything that special. They weren't very aggressive, with a weak game plan of "hanging out" behind the net as they waited for something to happen after every cover up. They weren't overly physical, which was personified by their captain flopping twice. Their stick work was far from the strongest we faced, and neither was their "board" play. What they were good at was collapsing on a shot attempt, fundamentals, playing "safe" hockey and oh yeah they had a very good goalie to lean on. Though not as good as ours.

There is no "I"

The first goal of the game was scored by the Goose (i like the ring of that) on a broken play toward the center of the rink. Bad defensive positioning along the fence lead to basically a two on none and an easy goal.

But we managed to counter strike quickly. Our first goal by Griff was awesome. Despite a shootout win, it was our only example in the game where an individual effort was more impressive than the team effort. It was gritty and it was tough like Mike D at center. Literally a defenseman and second winger watched as if players on the bench. A hard fought individual effort that lead to a tie game and multiple aggressive fist pumps on the way to the bench. Can we pan that camera on Griff?

1-1 Game.

Why can't I get chances like that?

Ok, I admit that Borges had some sweat shot opportunities that lead to comment that I regretted the moment I said it because Griff made sure i'd regret it. But my point was valid, right? Right? Anyways...I wasn't talking about the goal he had in the finals, it was far from cheap. It was a long range shot, like the other side of rink long. A Beautiful shot that found a corner of the net through multiple screens. It really was a reflection of Borges' shot throughout the entire tournament.

And with that, ladies and gentleman, the Alliance had a lead in which to blow.

2-1 Alliance at the half.

Imminent Collapse

From there, the nightmare began. The collapse was in full motion. The flood gates poured. The devastating ending was just ten minutes away. The video was set to blame. Another roster shuffle was coming. The scape goat list was growing:

1.Darin wasn't an elite goalie
2.Perhaps Jimmy Nelson made Eric what he was last year
3. Brett never gets the patented clutch Johnny Riley goal in a tournament
4. Nick will never contribute on offense.

The next three goals went to the Goose, a 4-2 deficit. And to top it off, the fourth goal was perhaps the worst goal of the entire tournament. Scratch that, the worst goal of Darin's life.

Real weak.
A slow roller.
It never should have went in.

But he more than made up for it.

It is time.

Has a timeout ever worked? Ever? I got to be honest every time I hear the word "timeout" I want to throw up. The phrase "listen to him you guys" pierces through my mind like the laugh of the crypt keeper. All I can think of is the hypocrisy of the "defenseman don't forecheck, but you need to be more active in the offense" mantra. Stop the game! Time out! Defenseman on offense for back to back plays! Oh NO! Did someone call timeout????

But seriously I'm over it.

Anyways...this timeout went a lot smoother. And with the hundreds of babies with us there has to be a "smoother than a babies butt" joke in there somewhere, right?

The subject of the timeout? A game plan? Get real we're the Alliance. We don't game plan. Instead we stood around, breathing heavily, searching for blue powerade bottles, as Borges made fun of Nick for a play that happened like four years ago. Another productive timeout.

"Give it Everything"

It was decided when the game became a two goal deficit that we needed Borges' shot out there. He gave us the best shot at scoring. Its was that simple. Basically it was cutting Nick's minutes to a minimal amount. Thats a nice way to put it, right? Yeah, minimal ice time for the betterment of offense.

No issue. But I think people forgot about a certain defenseman's passing skills.

With the clock dwindling down Borges decided to take one of the few changes he took in the last 7 minutes of the game. Nick came in to replace him and made an impact...offensively. The ball went to the right side of the rink. Shins pads were just calling to be hit for a ricochet the other way. It was a perfect opportunity for another intentionally wide shot. But against the odds, the scouting reports, and his own instinct, he didnt shoot it. He passed it.

And what a pass it was.

Brett scored on an awesome shot, but who really remembers that? It's all about the pass that will in infamy.

Yay me!

Let the comeback begin.

4-3 Goose

Free for all

With less than a minute to go, the Alliance were on the brink of another disappointment. Another debacle. Another pathetic ending to another sad adventure.

The goalie was pulled. The stage was set. And we weren't going down without a fight.

It was a free for all. An endless barrage of shots that seemed to only get interrupted by tests of fate. A ball that was pegged for the net was picked off by Eric in mid air with a stick he should have never had. Hopes kept alive for literally seconds longer.

After a couple more battles in the corner the ball came out in front of the net. Borges, was pounding at the ball like an animal, hoping that it would pop loose to one of our guys.

It squeaked out to Brett.

And he scored.

Tie Game with one second on the clock.

This Trash Can Dream Come True

For the first time, everything was literally in the hands of the best we could offer. No matter the outcome, whether credit or blame was to be spread, it was all on our best players to win it. The second line could only watch and hope.

The Goose shot first, the pressure was on Darin. He responded by stoning them on all three attempts.

Epic.

It's rare to say that a goalie played a fantastic game when giving up four goals, but it truly was an elite performance. Darin did his job, he gave us a chance.

It was up to Jared, JB, and Brett to make it count.

Sadly, though, our first two attempts were not that great either. Jared barely got a shot off and JB fell for the disappearing 5 hole trick.

It was up to Brett to finally finish off what was started...

"Mission Accomplished"

Perhaps the corniest statement in the world and yet it's so gratifying to hear. For the first time and probably the last, the Boston Alliance are champions. A true team effort.

Congratulations to Darin, Jon, Brett, Jared, Griff, Eric and Nick for doing the unthinkable.

1-0 in tournaments without Johnny.

The Proof:

softball sunday at 4:00?

We might do softball Sunday afternoon in Haverhill.  It would be a "congregation game" so there would likely be some girls and kids playing too.  Would anyone be interested in playing tomorrow?

THE FINALS

Mom Jeans

Dawning the Alliance uniform was a symbol of incompetency when the games finally matter. We were dubbed the Turtles not after a game of futility but after a series of habitual collapses. Failure was more than a trend based on a small sample size but an inevitable conclusion to every attempt at a trophy.

The expected question after a tournament was not "how did you do?" but rather "how did you lose?"

What a great feeling that the Alliance finally had a good answer to that question. Eat that Bobcat!

For the first time, there wasn't going to be a replayed video of a botched play that symbolizes the defeat. There wasn't going to be thoughts like"what if?" or "if only..."

That heart wrenching pit in your stomach on the long ride home would be replaced with a surprised feeling of elation and enthusiasm. Despite a weekend full of hockey, an actual zeal to play again would already burn inside you.

Well, most of us anyway. Most wouldn't be "hockey'd out". I shouldn't speak for everyone.

Nevertheless, a winning outcome was far from a forgone conclusion. It was never a certainty. And the reality of that fact became evident in our semifinal game. The semifinals was a round we never advanced through. It was the first major hurdle. It would be the first time we could do something no team before us had done. And the team we had to beat in order to fulfill that accomplishment was fantastic.

Heart in my throat

I would argue that this team was the best team we played. They were a fast team, with solid goal tending and excellent defense. But what impressed me the most about them was their board play. They, despite their relatively small size, were extremely strong with the body. The were able to move the immovable objects know as JB, Nick and Griff. Their body positioning was borderline remarkable. But maybe I only feel this way because I remember getting beat by them a couple times. They were gritty and perhaps the only team we played that seemed to put any focus on defensive responsibilities. That's why this could have gone either way.

A Deficit to Overcome

The scoring started with a sweat goal by JB and from there the opposition went to work. There first goal came on a blind pass thrown up the middle that found the stick of their man at the point. He shot the ball and it squeaked by Darrin. Kind of weak goal. Should we blame the disintegrated pads?

Their second goal was kind of unfortunate, sort of a bad break (for us). After the ball trickled down the right side of the rink, Nick did a quick flip pass to Eric. After Eric knocked the pass down (notice in the video that he didn't grab the ball; Progress!) he turned around to start a transition. But, Eric slipped creating somewhat of a two on one. A botched and broken play that turned into a goal and 2-1 deficit.

Two unbelievable shots

Dale would have cleaned up in this game. Backhanded shots was the scouting report on this goalie. After several rushes and long shots came up empty, the Alliance came through with not one but two seeing eye backhanders.

The first came from Brett and the other came from Jared.

 It was basically a replay of the same play. A defenseman baring down, taking away any possible shot on a forehand, something they did the entire game. This forced an unfavorable backhanded shot. And somehow it worked. Twice. Both found the top corner of the net. The goalie had no chance. Awesome shots

But do you want to know the best part about taking the lead? Not only did we add to it, we never looked back.

But what's even greater is that we rebounded to score those two goals even after disappointment, a missed opportunity. After Griff drew a penalty, JB was given the penalty shot, an opportunity one player on the bench said of: "we need this."

And we didn't get it.

Overcoming adversity, an Alliance first.

Pile On

The fourth goal was scored by Jared. After he intercepted a pass up the middle (ok, it hit him on the pads.) Jared shot the ball and scored on his own rebound. 4-2 Alliance. This goal was huge not only because it gave us a buffer zone but it made the opposition pull their goalie, a move that always has Brett licking his chops. Brett of course scored an empty netter. Sealing the deal on an eventual 5-3 Victory. Why can't I get chances like that?

The Road Ahead: The Finals

Semi-Finals

Don't judge me on this video. I got frustrated and just gave up. Hope you still enjoy

Alliance vs Teamsters Game 2 Playoffs

Don't forget to read the recap below

Bosom

The Great Debate

You can polish a turd..it's still a turd.

You can dress a pig up in tux...it's still a pig.

You can shake up the lines all you want...we still suck at hockey.

Optimizing the lines has always been one of the greatest arguments surrounding the team. Do you go top heavy? Do you balance out the lines considering each player's weaknesses and strengths? It's an argument that you probably found yourself on both sides of.

It's started out with each player suggesting their lines, various suggestions came in, all except the lines we had originally planned on. The lines of Brett-Eric-Nick and Jared-Griff-JB was on no ones radar. No one. Not a single player thought it was the best way to go. Think of that! This was what we were going with. We were planning on going for a championship with lines that no one believed in. Typical Alliance.

So what lines did we go with? The lines the Captain wanted of course.

We were going top heavy baby!

The results spoke for themselves on Saturday, but how would it fair when the competition improved?

Rough Start

This game was, in a lot ways, the wake up call. It was the first game where a real sweat had to be broken. The first game where that "oh crap, we could lose" feeling entered your mind. Not that the game was ever in doubt despite being tied at the half.

If we played this team 100 times we probably win 95 of them. The story wasn't really a potential loss, it was a question of whether it was a sign of things to come. The first line, for the first time, wasn't dominating. For the first time they showed the Alliance defect..the lack of finishing skills.

We have two lines?

Thankfully, this was the only game where the second line seemed to offensively click as an entire unit. Getting 3 gritty goals from Griff, 2 skill goals from Eric and a, um, fortunate goal out of Nick. The second line was on fire.

But I know what you're thinking. Look at the box score Nick! You're biased because you're on the second line. The first line had excellent production. 3 goals from Jared, 2 from Brett and 1 from JB. They even scored on their first shift, yet again.

Two lines. 6 goals apiece. Balance. Perfection.

Not so fast.

The truth is while the second line held their weight offensively, they also played shut down defense, at least before the game got out of hand. That's why this game became the second line's game. They saved us until the top line hit its stride again...which, when they did, blew the doors wide open.

Frustrating Refs

After a bad turnover by Nick, the other team made a quick shot on Darrin that resulted in a rebound. After a battle in front of the net that culminated with a diving save by Nick, Griff charged at the net pushing it way off it's normal set position. It basically put the net facing parallel to the side boards.

That's normal for the ref not to blow the whistle, right?

Instead, he allowed the other team to tap in an easy "no angle" goal. And it stood. My poor plus/ minus.

In the End

This game will be forgotten in the long run. A 12-5 game in the second round? Big deal. But, to me, this game was the stepping stone. It was that game that woke the bear. It was the game that introduced the fight necessary for taking that trophy. No let downs.

60 minutes away from 7-0 and a championship.

We knew it was only getting tougher from here. The focus and determination was on.

Next: The Semis

Alliance Win 14-3

Play the ball

I have always said that Crap Teams will always be Crap Teams until they decided not be Crap Teams. Its really a simple concept. There's a choice, an effort, a motive that can change everything. Losing Stinks. And its about time the Alliance takes that next step over the line that divides the winners and losers.

 

The time is now boys, the time is now.

 

After a dominating effort on Saturday, the Alliance found themselves, yet again, with a favorable matchup in the second round of a sudden death playoff. Taking Care of Business was inevitable in game one, but we wouldn't be the Alliance without some bumps along the way.

 

Playoffs, Game One: It's not easy being big.

 

This was rematch of our first regular season game, a game we won 8-2.

 

I would describe this team as a team that just didn't belong. What they lacked in skill was not made up for with size or defensive acumen. They consistently let 2 on 1's go against them and let's face it; Brett, Jared and JB will kill you if they have numbers. Brett is awesome at manipulating a 2 on 1 into a high percentage scoring chance. And it's the reason why the first line dominated this team. Toasted them. They basically scored every shift they had, including 10 seconds into the game.

 

The other team knew they had no chance against our top line and they tried to compensate for it.

 

Fail.

 

Their "ringer winger", wearing a Lucic jersey, ended up being a whiny player that Darrin stoned easily many times. They were better off without him.

 

But that wasn't their only plan at knocking the number one seed down. As the first line dominated with 2 goals from JB, 3 from Jared and 3 from Brett, they decided to poke at the bear on the second line known as Griff. "That's not going to be good for anybody."

 

This created a rough game, with cheap shots, cross checks, bickering and some trash talk by Griff on the side. This game became very, um, not fun. I couldn't wait for it to end. But before it could there was a side issue with Eric and the other team. I'm going to be honest, it looked a lot worse than I think Eric intended it to be toward the opposite winger. The ref had no choice but to throw out both players involved, 2 on 2 hockey!

 

Thankfully the game didn't last long after that. The ref finally had enough of the style of "hockey" being played, the game was called. 9-0 final.

 

Scoring Notes:

 

• Griff had the other goal tallying up to the 9 total 
• Darrin had the first ever Alliance playoff shutout. Ironically, I'd argue, his worst playoff performance. Nice work Darrin!!
• Jared could have had another goal, if Griff didn't blow a 2 on 1 by bickering instead.
• Nick could have had a goal on his great penalty shot move (cough) but was stoned.

 

Next: The first line is vulnerable?

 

Game 2 on Saturday

Epic Gravy

Thoughts of us being cursed like the Chicago Cubs seem to grab more credence with each passing tournament and league game. "Pulling an Alliance" has become a universal saying for blowing it. But this time was going to be different. It had to be.

What started out as just a small pick up tournament discovered by Brett on his honeymoon, has now blown up. The hype, thought and effort put into winning one of these things has reached levels unimaginable. A win was going to happen, no matter the cost.

Year one was a limited thrown together team that over achieved. Great for that team. But the last two years have been a kick in the nuts, a dagger in the heart, a sky dive without a parachute. Year two ended with a misplayed two on one with a patented reaching stick in the background and a downpour of endless Jack wrist shots. And, of course, last year was deemed the dream team with the wrong goalie, against a scary talented team while under the tense stress of the worst timeout any of us have ever been a part of. Two epic collapses. We were a joke in defeat. The aliens sent home as losers again and again.

But the year where the tides would finally turn was coming. The clock was finally going to be on our time. Another dominating regular season was coming. And it means nothing without finally bringing a trophy home. A big one!

The curse will be killed. No one will ever critique our non-practice, drinking, stay up way too late ways again. The negative recaps may disappear off of this site. Champions at last. All of the heart wrenching defeats make it that much sweater.

Yay Muckers!

The Regular Season: Saturday means almost nothing

Almost. The number one seed ensures a first round bye, a late morning start, a cupcake second round and perhaps an easier road. Ok, I'll take that. Great. Awesome. But me, as the steady veteran of the play-on tournaments, have seen this before. Dominating the regular season is a played act, though this was done at a much greater scale. Pure domination. As usual we were the hated, over sized, team from Boston. And it started in game one and the domination continued all day.

While in hindsight, the story of Saturday wasn't the games. Important at the time, of course, but they became a side issue. The means of which to setting up greater championship odds. A stepping stone to a joyous pig pile. A necessary course in order to reach the real goal. But it was also means of trying out our adjusted lines.

Line 1: Brett, JB and Jared

Line 2: Eric, Griff and Nick

Can you say top heavy? But the rationale made sense. Obviously line one is great. You're not getting a better line, in fact. The question was how would line two work? In theory Eric would create his own offense, Griff would do the dirty work in the corners and Nick would be the responsible defensive defenseman to make sure we never got caught.

But there was an issue, we had a simple schedule. You could argue we played the two worst teams in our bracket. You could have ran out any combination of players and still won the game fairly easily. We were headed into the playoffs with two lines that were basically untested in adversity. Would it work?

While all three regular season games were blow outs, they were not left without its scares. On literally the first play of the day Borges was hobbling over his reoccurring knee injury. ( yay! Ice time!) and later on in the day, Eric decided that making a habit of rolling your ankle is good idea. Not to mention Jared's bad back and Griff's swollen foot. Injuries to keep an eye on as the playoffs loomed.

Line one shined on Saturday:

JB with 9 goals

Brett with 7 goals

Jared had 7 goals, two penalty shot goals.

 Line two performed but they saved their best for later.

The team played great on Saturday, held tough and above all else showed a killer instinct. I hate to diminish what we did on Saturday but we only did what we were supposed to do, hard to get excited about that.

It was only getting tougher from here...

Next: The Playoffs!

Just a Taste of What's to Come

Those who aspire, perspire.

I wish I could describe it as taking a dump on ourselves, but that would be sugar coating it. If I could characterize it as a collapse of epic proportions, I would, but it can only be a collapse if the result was surprising.

We did it again guys, we did it again. Why? How? This game left me stunned to silence afterwards and sadly I still don't know what to say. I'm literally speechless. So it leaves me bitter. No recap, but I have a question: Why do you think we lost on Monday?

This is pretty cool

Killer Instinct

                  The whole day on Monday, Borges was scrambling for guys to round out the team for that night. And that’s usually never a good sign. Borges could only scrounge up 7 guys for the game and half of them getting there at 6:58(including the goalie). But thankfully they were all good players and they were playing the North Stars; easily the worst team they’ve played all year.

                  Well right off the bat the Alliance started to dominate play, winning every battle for the ball, cycling the zone with ease and it wasn’t long till JB potted the first goal on the night on a 2 on 1 as he received the pass and waited for the goalie to over commit and put it blocker side. Not long after, Ron let a vintage slapper go that the goalie didn’t react to till the ball was in the back of the net. I swear the North Stars didn’t touch the ball for minutes at a time during the game except for the goalie making saves. But once the Alliance saw that it was an easy night, they started to get cute. Way too cute. Cuter than Justin Beiber cute. Thinking they have the ability to really humiliate teams by not only scoring a ton of goals, but scoring them all in highlight reel fashion. Well guess what, you can’t and you didn’t.

                  The score remained 2-0 through the second period with the Alliance continuing their annoying play for all 10 minutes in the second. Everyone turned into Brett, passing up great shots in the slot just so they could try and set up the other guy who was all alone in the slot but have it ultimately end up not even being a shot on net. Where’s the killer instinct? The want to put a team out of their misery and put the game out of reach? So far out of reach that even the Alliance can’t blow the lead. At the end of the second the alliance only allowed 4 shots on net.  

                The third started off better with the Alliance potting 2 quick goals. One from Eric on a great shot while crashing the net and I don’t know who scored the other. Up 4-0 nothing, the Alliance got called for slashing, an incredibly unnecessary slashing (Jared) and on the ensuing face off, the North stars won it and scored on a shot from the point. Then the North Stars made it 4-2 with a goal on a breakaway that Darrin didn’t even seem to care about or even try that hard to stop. But like one player said after the game: “they could’ve gotten a six goal lead and I would still be confident we could come back and win”, which is probably true. Either way that’s as close as the North Stars would get. They got another power play due to Eric being sick of getting slashed and hooked so he ripped the guys stick out of his hands and smashed it on the floor right in front of him, but they could do nothing with it as Brett and JB killed it off by cycling it in the offensive zone the whole time and then Eric came flying out of the box to come in and one time a blast into the net. 5-2. With 15 seconds left and a face off in the Alliance zone, Jared streaked for the net. JB won the face off and flung the ball over everyone to Jared who actually shot on his breakaway and scored. 6-2 final. Should’ve been 15-0 and that’s not an exaggeration.

Never going to give you up...

"Never going to let you down"
If last night wasn't a wakeup call for you then your not paying attention. If last night didn't make your blood boil as you watched our entire team fall asleep and then proceed to crap it's pants to a bad team for periods of time, then your not seeing the problem. If at any point last night you felt, like I did, that this game was in the bag, then you're part of the issue.

Now I can hear it now, "nick, we won the game. We out shot them. There goalie was really good. Game wasn't as close as the score shows...yada...yada...yada..blah...blah" To that I say shut up. What are you watching out there? All of that doesn't matter.

Do you know why this team, our team, always seems to fail in the end?

Some would say we fail because we don't practice. Others would say its the length of their stick or the turf under their feet. But those are,relatively speaking, non factors. They're minor quibbles or just plain old weak excuses for just not being good enough.

 Others seem to pin our struggles on something within, something deeper. They place the failures on immeasurable qualities such as "balls" or even a supposed lack of the winning "quality, attitude or spirit." Crackpot theories that sound interesting but don't really hold much substance. Ladies and gentleman, those are a great example of a grasping of straws.

It's true that some weeks we are just beat. We were not the better team on that night. That happens. Or at least that's the perception I'm left with after the game. That feeling of, "what more could we have realistically expected out us?"

But then this week happened and I had epiphany or something.

Effort.

Everyone knows the importance of effort, that's obvious. The realization is that the lapse of our effort is our biggest detriment. It's our downfall in the games we win and lose. We lost two weeks ago because of both mental and physical effort issues. We were the better team. The little things matter. Unnoticed until they're not done right.

The non dropping of the stick penalty was weak. The lack of even trying to block a shot is almost distasteful. Anyone can stink up the rink with bad shots and bad passes, but is it really asking too much to put your shin pads in front of a shot? Really? REALLY???

 But the issue is team wide.

When was the last time we played a full 30 minutes?

That's why I felt frustrated. If the effort is there to start it disappears as soon as we see a lead. On the other side of it, if the effort is missing from the start of the game, it doesn't show until the other team already has the game in hand. That has to change. Full effort. No excuses like I didn't get my shots in. Make it work. Mistakes will happen, but effort should never be in question.
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The issue isn't deep rooted. We're not cursed. It's not even that hard to fix.

We just have to avoid the let downs within the game itself. I challenge myself and everyone..a full effort next week, that means 30 minutes. No let downs.

I Created A Monster

Welcome to a very special Montreal Anticipatory Big Board...if you weren't invited to montreal this year, or couldn't make it because you are going to a circus, assembly, fishing trip, or were nervous about stick durability, rest assured this team will be no better or worse than any other junk team we've brought up.  But maybe, just maybe, this year the alliance get some good...um...luck? fortune? hockey god's? I don't know, good something and get an easy realistic muckers schedule and win something.

Here's our top seven "all stars" heading into the tourney...on we go!!!

7.  Darrin- Perhaps a shocker to start but not expecting a ton from darrin.  Just anticipating a quality tournament.  The problem is it's so chaotic with bounces on pavement, plus its probably going to be very hot, Darrin may not be a stand out this year.  He can magically pop his knee back into place in 22 seconds and continue playing which may come in handy. He looks like Mario Lemieux, I think this is where I say terrible joke and it becomes funny.

6.  Nick- There's an awkwardely good chance JB plays an entire game and Nick sits on the grass talking to Ariel while she half films/half demeans our team games.  Nick is very effective when 100% healthy, which seemed to be the case in Dracut last week.  Having his size and strength would prove very beneficial for our small, weak, funny bloggin forwards. 

5. Griff- Thankfully Griff will live up to being 180 pounds by this year's tournament.  That is an actual promise from him last year.  Even if he falls slightly short of that promise, Griff should provide needed goal scoring that this team may surprisingly struggle at getting.  Has anyone actually gone to godaddy.com expecting to see more?  Griffs the biggest unknown the the alliance have this year.

4. Brett- Didn't know who to put here really but with Brett suffering from traumatic extradural, or epidural hematoma, or "Punch-Drunk Syndrome", who knows if his head will be in the game...that's funny, Big Board still has it...Anywho brett will need Eric and even Jared at times to bury his passes.  No doubt he'll be feeding them, and racking up vulture assists.  Could be the underdog leading scorer too.

3. JB- Borges needs to play center and not defense.  I know brett wants JBs line to rotate and positions dont matter, but they do.  And we need scoring.  Having Brett's line verse JBs line is interesting as JB has Jared and Griff''s tempers and emotions to deal with all game, he could make or break them

2. Jared- Jared will get his goals and oddly enough the most predictable this tournament.  Id say Eric and JB have higher ceilings tho. Not sleeping with 8 dudes in a full size bed will help with energy and mental health for the tournament. 

1. Eric- Ahh Eric, really doesn't deserve the top spot, and has not played great in his few league games, but the expectations will never drop for him.  He was, to describe it best, entertaining, last year in Canada.  One would think with Brett passing to him this year instead of Jimmy will...WAIT?  Nick?!?! Dude you say something about me?  I heard you like my Honda.  Can you get me a tow?  I have the hitch ready.  Griff can i have your addition?  AHHHHHHHHH!!!!  I like turtles!

ZUP ZAP ZIPPITY....BIG BOARD OUT!

"It's not aTuma"

Sunday hockey left a vital player for the Alliance (also known as The New Hampshire The Alliance) unable to play monday night. Eric was in bethel (must have been a girl there). Joe Italiano was watching the B's. And Ron was a no show. Rumer has it he was practicing with Bobcat at an undisclosed location. That left us with six guys. Me, Jared, Griff, Nick, Jonny, Billy and Nick in net. The Mustangs had 8 guys. Ice time was not an issue on this night. We came out strong controlling most of the play to start but could not bury one. They were able to score on there first rush on a weak goal. We were once again down after dominating play. They turned up the intensity and started out running and out hustling us. They scored another goal and we were down 2-0 after the first period. We came out in the second strong. Jared was able to score on a nice shot from the high slot. Things started getting chippy. We were playing against a team full of angry Griffs. Fortunately we had the authentic thing. The refs started handing out penalties to try and calm things down. It really didnt work. The battles continued. penalties were handed out and in the end they had a guy thrown out. The score remained 2-1 nearing the end of the 3rd. We called a timeout with 1 minute left and pulled the goalie. Now the whole team was out there and it was go time. The plan was to crash the net with billy staying back covering D. After 3 faceoffs and coverups by the goalie time was running out. We won the faceoff and it got to Jared he was pressured and out of nowhere came a wide open Billy licking his chops. Jared fed him and without hesitation he fired the shot through a heavy screen. And with 10 seconds left buried a huge goal 5 hole! Who would have thunk it. To overtime we went. 4 on 4 for 4 minutes. It looked like it was going to a shootout and with every one exhausted jonny found Jared in the slot. He let a quick wrister go and found an opening between the 5 hole! We all went wild. Won of the best wins we have had. The whole team showed heart and no quit. Such a satisfying win. And to top it off we finished in time to see the bruins win it! Go B's. Great job by the whole team. Nick was gritty back there and pinched in nicely. Griff battled in front of the net all game and hustled like an animal. Jonny found the open areas and found a second gear late in the game. Jared ran his butt off like usual and scored huge goals for us. And billy was the star of the game playing almost the whole time and scoring the goal to tie it up and send it to OT! AWSOME GAME GUYS! Next week we play one of the best teams in the league, the Mutiny. Everyone better be there! No excuses!

Same question as last week - Who could play this Sunday at 4:30 in Lawrence?

I will update the list throughout the week...

In: John, Nick, Brett, JB, Griff, Jared, Billy, Eric, Darrin (G), Bobby (G)
Out: Frendon

So far we have 3 on 3 with a sub per team.  I feel like there will be a lot of stats again...

Who Can Play in Lawrence This Sunday @ 4:30?

In: John, Brett, Nick, Billy, Frendon, Billy.
Out:

It looks like the makings of a rematch!

Hockey this Sunday - Game On: 6:00

Hi guys,

Who could play this Sunday, let's say around 5:30?

We are playing this Sunday at 6:00.  I think it's the outside rink.

In: John, Brendon, Elliot, Andrew, Billy, Griff, Brett (+ 3?), Joe, Ron, Ronnie, Cindy, Darrin (G), Rick G (goalie). 
Maybe / Haven't heard from: Dale, Jared, JB, Brad

Elephant in the room

Lets start a new theard!

Lets turn a new leaf.

Yay!

Hockey Sunday night 6:00, Inside Rink

Hi guys,

With Dave here we are going to play this Sunday at 6:00 on the inside rink.  It should be a good warmup for Monday unless you are like Nick and plan on getting injured.  It's going to be a low-key game so don't expect anything ultra-competitive.  If you are interested in playing then let me know.

The Keys to Victory are to Eliminate Mistakes

I understand that team Alliance has an opportunity to take home a Championship trophy with a win next week. Well, well… what a surprise that is! A bunch of misfits that love to talk the talk… are actually one win away from delivering the physical goods. Just 30 minutes of hockey stand in the way of achieving the grand prize.

 

I must say that when word came to me that Ron was lacing up the old Nike high-tops, I thought the least I could do was analyze the latest game film and offer you some words of wisdom from the once highly esteemed professor. Of course I’m still highly esteemed, but most of my time is spent running hockey school “practice” and so that’s why team Alliance NEVER hears from me. Yes that’s right, bobcat and I go way back, but our paths have gone in different directions… but I digress.

 

Being in the know, I KNOW you all love coaching… as can be heard loud and clear from the secret microphones that were planted on your bench. So I’m going to tell what any good, old time coach would say… the key to victory will be to eliminate your mistakes. Forget that you guys scored 7 goals last week, you gave up 4 goals! That should not of happened.

 

First off, of the 4 goals that were given up, none of them were of the kind that couldn’t be stopped. Of course there are goals that teams are highly unlikely to stop, for instance, back in my hay day when I was a kid, a lot of the time I was unstoppable, nothing but a high light reel for all to behold… but I digress.

 

1. The first goal was the result of poor communication between Griff and Ron, you guys switched responsibilities but failed to execute and cover your assignments. The dude got the ball in the high slot, totally uncovered, thus had a great scoring chance, which be buried. You guys have to be aware of your man and cover him. If the play forces a position player to cover a different position, there has to be communication. This goal should not of happened.

 

2. The second goal, was also poor positioning. The dude on the point let a shot go, it went wide and perfectly banked behind the net to their guy open on the side of your net. This should have been defended better. The defense needs to react quickly to get their stick on the opposing teams stick to prevent that easy goal. This goal should not have happened.

 

3. The third goal was when the dude ran down hard and was able to get around the defense and cut infront of the goal. He then flicked the ball through the goalies legs for the score. First off, the D should of turned and ran with the guy when he knew his move was to go wide and then around him. Instead he kept backpedaling and was beaten. Now the goalie bared some fault for letting in a somewhat weak goal. First, he could of used his paddle to poke the ball away as the player was cutting in front, but also could of closed the pads sooner to prevent the goal. This 3rd goal should not of happened.

 

4. The 4th goal was a bang bang play. The dude won a 1 on 1 battle behind your net and started to make like he was going around the net. Instead he saw his guy breaking in for a quick one timer, they executed this nicely, however, Brett was there and should of followed the guy and lifted his stick as the pass came. Your goalie left the post a bit too soon and so the side of the net was left open. This goal should not have happened.

 

So as you can see, if you guys can focus on eliminating these bad plays, you would have had a much easier time handling this team. Sure there will be times that goals will happen from an outstanding shot, or a fantastically sick setup play, but eliminating the defensive breakdowns (for both forwards and D men) will make winning the final game a lot easier.

 

There is one other key that will lead you to a victory next week. It was heard loud and clear from the out spoken fireball of energy Jared. It was to win a battle… just win a battle for the ball. If you guys let them get to open balls, shot either in the corners or deflected off a stick, you’re in trouble. They’ll eventually bury those scoring chances because they can pass and shoot pretty well.

 

You see by lifting a stick… by blocking a shot… by intercepting a pass… by blocking a passing lane… your winning a battle. If you guys win more battles then them… you will win the final game.

 

So go out there and execute defensively, win more 1:1 battles than you lose and the rest will be easy. Yes, the offensive chances will come… and will come in bunches.