Despite the summer like weather, the FHL begins season 19 with a pair of well played games as Bears feast on Blue Collar 4-1 with Serenity holding on for a 4-3 victory over Fraser River.
The contest between Blue Collar and Bear had all the makings of a trackmeet as both squads feature several fleet footed forwards ready to bolt to the finish at the sound of the gun, but it was a trio of grey bearded veterans that ended up sparking their respective squads.
Picking up where he left off last season, despite a nagging upper body injury, was the FHL’s eldest statesmen Dave (Chainsaw) McCulloch who tapped in a rebound from his office to open up the scoring for Blue Collar. A stinky own goal knotted the score before a pair of Bear veterans who were pushing 35 when the league began in 1994 got in on the Senior movement. Thanks to the fancy footwork from Chad (Footloose) Swanson, Steve (Older than Yzerman) Dodge, who had ealier bounced one off the crossbar, flipped one in over the hardworking Blue Collar netminder. Not to be outdone by his geriatric teammate, the third oldest player on the ice, Grant (Plants) Johannesen converted a gorgeous three–way, groin–stretching passing play with a lasered one timer. The final goal of the contest that salted the win away was off the stick of Stu (Cyclone) Taylor, who hammered one in after a face-off win by Bear rookie Kris (Haymitch) Hayman, who drew 2 assists as well as a trip to the sinbin in his debut.
The drought like weather has impacted Fraser River more than you would expect as they only had half their squad show up for their game versus Serenity which they lost by a 4-3 count. Winning shouldn’t be a big surprise for the Builders who are the defending regular season champs, but having their sponsor, Cliff (Diver) Hunik put the biscuit in the basket is, as his top shelf floater was his first in a short FHL career. Also scoring for the Whaler clad squad was Rob (Lucky) Lentz, as he and Lee (Nitro) Naeth each had a goal and an assist with Brian (Big Country) Inwood notching a singleton. Replying for the Chevy crew, who began defense of their Lumber Cup with only 7 skaters, was Eric (Frantic) Stanic, (Average) Joe Mamic and Ian (Heartbreaker) Hannah who gave it a valiant effort and almost scored the equalizer after pulling their goalie and more than one muscle as season 19 took flight.
Steve Dodge is a defensive winger with Bear Communications and an Observer contributor.
