some answers

There were a few Q's about what guys will be doing until next year or whether or not they come back. For now all the guys will just be resting there bodies, a long playoff run takes a serious toll on a body, then it's usually time to get a real job and and start training for next year. It's very hard to predict what the roster will look like next year, some guys move on and retire, or find a team elsewhere or hopefully move up to a better league. I've been telling Batman that if he doesn't move up a league something is very wrong.

CHAMPS!!!

Hello everyone I'm blogging on very few minutes of sleep so please excuse and mistakes, well it's all over and when starting the playoffs and this blog it ended the way I dreamt it would almost every night. I'd like to apologize for the absence of the blogs lately the superstitious hockey player in me took over, let me explain. When I blogging I noticed a trend that i wouldn't write one after a loss then we would win and I'd just write about both games, mostly because I would be so rattled after the loss I wouldn't feel like talking about it, but then we'd win so I would share. Well eventually I realized our routine of going 1 win 1 loss the last 2 series and decided that every game after I wrote a blog we lost, and if I didn't write one we'd win, so after the game 3 loss in Allen I was obviously down about the game and didn't feel like talking about it so didn't bother with the blog, and a win in game 4 is when I became superstitious and decided against writing it, well all the talent on our team aside I really think we won it all because I stopped blogging and we won 3 straight.

Other than the games which most of you know about already not a lot has gone on, well other than a funny little incident on a elevator that I would love to share with you. It was Monday morning when our bus dropped us off at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport and we were flying home us a game and everybody was in great spirits, ready to head home and close out the series. When we walked off the bus we found an elevator that would take us to the ticket counter 1 story up. We filed about 10 guys in and hit the 2nd floor button and were off, when the elevator stopped and you expect the doors to open they wouldn't, when I looked around I couldn't help but notice a couple guys with a panic look on there face so I started to jokingly push against them because they were obviously claustrophobic and I thought it was pretty funny thats when the panic really came out of our most veteran player, Scott Wray, now for those of you kids reading this I'm going to have to ask you to put your ear muffs on because this story wont work well I edit Wrayzers exact words. It started with a very loud "Quit F@#$ING AROUND" then we decided to get some help so Wezzy being closest to the buttons started hitting the alarm button making a very loud bell noise, while Hansen made the call on the telephone. "STOP HITTING THE F#&@ING BUTTONS" screamed Wrayzer who when I looked at him had his fist cocked like he was going to punch poor old Wez. When I realized that he was legitimately FREAKING out I tried to calm him before he knocked Wezzy out but was laughing a little at the same time, I mean come on it was funny. Then Rich got through to the guy on the other end of the emergency phone and told him our dilemma, thats when Wrayzer started prying the doors of the elevator open to what I thought would be to climb out, Vandy thought he would offer him a drink of his gatorade and Wrayzers response was "WHY THE F%#K WOULD I WANT A DRINK" Vandy was again left speechless. Thats when I burst out laughing which didn't help poor Wray's situation but he pried the doors open enough to see that we were at the 2nd floor the doors just wouldn't open, then decided he could calm down because he saw people. Makes no sense to me but it was nice to see some of the blood leave his face and go tend to the rest of his body. When the elevator was fixed and we made it out of there it's was all smiles and laughter and a lot of making fun of Wray, because in total we were maybe stuck on there for 3 minutes and 47 seconds total. When I asked Wezzy about the incident he was just excited to be pressing buttons, " I never knew what that alarm button was actually used for, I have pressed it in the past as a joke but never realized it's there for serious situations, so I thought I would take advantage and really hammer down on it until Scott yelled at me to stop, I felt like a little kid getting in trouble from dad." Wrayzer refused to comment.

Well since there isn't any hockey to talk about left, I will be posting some pics of us hanging out with Ray ( Ray Miron Presidents Trophy ) for those who didn't get it. Also I'd like to say that if anyone has any questions about things that happened during the playoff run that you were curious about feel free to ask. I'll answer the best I can and if it's appropriate of course. Thank you and remember, KEEP FIT AND HAVE FUN

TIED AFTER 2

The final series is everything we expected, the first game was a well played game by both with them taking advantage of a few mistakes in the second period and cruising to draw first blood in the finals. We prepared for game 2 knowing that a loss would be very devastating going down south to Allen down 2 games would be a tough task. A back a forth game needing us to score late with only 39 seconds left in the game to send it to OT. Dave Grimson has continued to shine throughout the playoffs in just his first full season of pro he's been great, we try not to tell him that though we just like to remind him that he's still classed as a "smelt" otherwise known as a rookie, a smelt is a small bait fish most commonly used in the feeding of dolphins. When searched the description of a smelt is long slender body with a big mouth, haha perfect description for a rookie. I'm kidding of course but we actually do call him a smelt,,,,well because he is. He earns his keep other than scoring huge goals for the team and playing awesome on the ice he is CEO of the smelts, leading the bus counts and the main squeegee operator in the shower room. Grimmer was also the hard hat recipient which was a no brainer. So we're off to Allen in a crucial 3 game set that obviously we need to win one down there to stay alive, but have our sights set a lot higher than that. Hopefully I see a few Rush fans down south for those who can't make it I will try and keep you as up to date as I can. Until then keep fit and have fun!!

HEADED TO THE 'SHIP!!!

There is nothing better than getting a chance to play in a game 7, well there is one this better and thats winning a game 7! When the Northern Conference Finals started a couple weeks ago we knew going in that Bossier would be a very tough opponent and they were extremely tough believe me. They played a great game on Tuesday to force a game 6 and when we had a meeting Wednesday morning we knew as a team we were going to win game 7. We played hard all year to earn that home ice advantage and it came into play Wednesday, fans you were amazing as usual and were a big part in helping us come out the way we did and get that first period lead to never look back. That was my 3rd game 7 ever played and the way we came out and played there aren't many teams that can beat, with the quick turn around the biggest challenge of all starts tomorrow against an Allen team that just like us has earned there way to the finals beating a very good Odessa club. I don't have much to tell you other than only 4 more wins, see everyone tomorrow!

Well were on our way home and traveling as a very happy hockey club right now, after a very dismal performance on Friday the boys bounced back with a great win tonight. I'm not going to touch on Friday because it will only make me mad. So I'll start with today, we went into the rink in the morning and cleared our heads joe had some video for us and we went over our mistakes and moved on, thats one of the most important parts of the playoffs is forgetting the bad and moving on. The guys came out flying tonight and so did they, it was a great first period that we ended in scoreless tie, the second was similar each team scoring a goal a piece. The third was ours, we knew win a period win a game and thats what we did, the whole team played a complete game which is fun to see and the d-core as a group played so stellar in the third. Dave Grimson has really stepped up and Gio bounced back with a great performance after missing game 4. Not much else to talk about today were just about an hour and a half into 23 hours and the internet on the bus isn't the best just wanted to drop a quick line and we'll see all you fans on Tuesday!!

pre game turmoil

It started out just another game day, hop on the bus and head to the rink for a morning game day skate, that all changed when Wezzy brought out a contract that had been written up between him and the Hansen's shootout team. Every pre game skate we finish with each player taking one break away against each goalie, with 4 players on each team, the team with the most total goals is owed a pre game meal by the other team. The Hansen team is made up of : Rich Hansen, Jon Pelle, Les Reaney, and Riley Weslewski. The Hodge team is made up of : Brendon Hodge, Jamie Vanderveeken, Derek Leblanc, and Dave Grimson.

But when Wezzy went down to injury Rich and Jon needed a replacement thats when they came to me, they had come to me before for a pre game skate when they were short, when I scored the crucial tying goal to save them from buying lunch I thought I was signed on for the long haul, but to my dismay I was quickly sent down off the team. So when the contract was scripted for my longer term signing to replace an injured Wezzy I knew something had to be made certain, I needed some sort of severance if they were to do that to me again. So my contract read as follows:

- If I were to score twice the team would provide juice for me after the skate if the team had won.

- I was only able to use the move to my backhand once in the shootout.

- I was allowed to chirp both Hansen and Pelle on any of there moves with no repercussions.

and the last one I was to make myself, so i took care of myself

- If I were to get sent down again the team would owe me 2 pre game meals as compensation.

After signed by all everyone was happy, except for Wezzy of course. So upon his return Wezzy brought a document that Hansen and Pelle never thought they'd see again, it was Wezzy's contract that went something like this:

- 1 cup of juice with 2 goals and a team win delivered to his stall with ice.

- No Waive clause. (that had been crossed out, but not initialed by any party therefor void)

- And a base salary of $0 give or take $10.

It was the no waive clause that had put Jon and Rich in a pickle, with the severance on my deal very costly, they needed to find an alternative, Wezzy threatening to sue for 2 meals if his contract was not honored, When Les offered to step down if only 1 of his meals be paid for that was the cheapest option for the Owner Hansen and GM Pelle. So that was it, Les was out Wezzy and I were in, seems funny letting go of a 90 point player for 2 d men but it had to me done. "With Fritsy's strong contracting skills and a flaw in Wezzy's contract we did what had to be done, and what we could afford at the time, we hate to see Les go but when he offered to leave we knew his heart wasn't in the right place for us to move on," explained by the team GM Jon Pelle. With the teams finally set the shoot out came, after the first round of players the score was tied 1-1 but the second round belonged to Hansen's team, with both players of controversy (Wezzy and I) scoring a goal a piece, Pelle scored the clincher to win 4-2, and was satisfied with there final decision. When asked what was going through his mind before he took that last shot Wezzy was heavy on the shoulders, "I was bearing a lot of pressure, after the fight I went though to get back on the team I knew I had to come through. Scoring what was eventually the GWG, the piano was off the back and it was nice to celebrate with the team again."

game 3 win

We're up 2 games to 1 now, with a huge game 3 win we've regained the home ice advantage, but with both, them and us being great road teams that really means nothing. Bossier being one of the best road teams in the league we know it's very important to win at least one more game while we're here, obviously 2 would be great but this series is a tough one and no time to get greedy. Wednesday's game was a great fast paced game the minutes flew by and both teams played great. They're call up goalie filling in because of injuries was standing on his head while Bats did his thing(when I say that, he was unreal but he's always unreal and we just know that he will be every night). An even game right till the end every time we scored they would respond not long after, again our PK struggled but we're starting to right the ship. Headed into OT I think both teams were a little fatigued from the hard fought 60 minutes and at 15:30 of the first OT after a very crucial penalty kill, our amateur call up Corey Larysen threw the puck on net from the point and a fortuitous bounce and the game winner. We had an optional practice today and spent some time walking around the outdoor mall near the hotel and went to the hot tub time machine and howled!!! One of the funniest movies I've seen since the hangover. Two thumbs up from me and everyone else that saw it. Time to rest up and get ready for game 4 tomorrow....remember keep fit and have fun!