It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas, nine months too early, or three months late when the boys turned up for the last early morning clash of the year. With not much riding on the results besides monetary side bets and inconceivable scoring droughts, all four teams decided it was a perfect primer for the playoffs which begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
The two sides which have struggled looking for consistency lately played inspired hockey with Serenity clinching a second place finish in their 4-3 win over Fraser River. Leading the charge of the light brigade was Todd (The Body) Gryschuk who scored not one but two unassisted goals and George (Popeye) Paul who scored on a terrific redirect and assisted on the winner. Even with the two points, (Popeye) fell short on a side bet with (Haymitch) Hayman and was heard to mutter (I am what I am and that’s all that I am), which presumably refers to his always a bridesmaid, never a bride luck of late?
For Fraser River, scoring his first goal since Feb. 27, 2013 (A span of 392 days) was Randy (King Kong) Crofts thanks to an assist from (Oh) Henry Boal who also scored an unassisted bar down beauty.
The other contest in the venerable Barn on Barlow started out as a one sided contest which woke up the slumbering Bears who came back to disappoint Blue Collar 3-2.
Although the squads appeared to be playing in quick sand, both teams gave it their all to support their keepers who stood on their head’s more often than not. Playing a lot like the Bruins #4, was Bears #4 Kris (Haymitch) Hayman who opened up the scoring after a bushel of extraordinary moves. The lead held up until BCS tied it on a Jim (Great) Scott shorthanded goal which was followed by Justin (Ra Ra) Rasmussen hammering in a loose puck for a 2-1 BCS lead. But as often is the case, a Cinderella story was not on the shelf for (Magic) Mike Enemark who was looking to win his last regular season start in the FHL as first (Haymitch) on a top shelf laser and then Derek (Sanderson) Burdekin on a five hole dribbler had the fat lady singing in the rafters.
This week in Season 8 (2002): Despite not scoring in the final game of the season Kevin (Squirrelly) Turley won the scoring race with an amazing 40 goals (fourth highest ever) and 60 points for the regular season champ Green team. However, regular season success is no guarantee and the Turley Curse would extend to 2009 before he finally hoisted the Lumber Cup.
– Steve Dodge is a defensive winger with Bear Communications and an Observer contributor.
