May 08, 2005Stanley Stick Game 1: Grit not enoughIf Paul One is to win his fourth straight Stanley Stick championship, his team of gritty underdogs will have to play a full game. Sunday, a lull through the middle two periods cost them eight straight goals and a golden opportunity to shake the confidence of their high-powered opponents, who battled to a 20-11 win in the opener of the two-game season finale. "We came out firing, we got some early goals, and I think we kind of surprised ourselves that we can play with these guys," says the veteran centerman, as his side charged to a quick 3-1 lead. But against a potent offense led by the game's speediest forwards, Lak Attack and Kid, and its three most powerful shooters, Unabomber, Wink and Nibs, it wasn't enough. "We got a little lazy, let them take over the game because they've got the talent on their side." While eight straight goals may have sealed their fate on the scoreboard, it hasn't diminished their resolve. Playing with as much grit and determination as their foes had talent and speed, and anchored by the lightning glove hand of Pig Farming Goalie, the underdogs walked off the court battered and bruised but far from broken. "They're an all-star lineup, they've got a lot of top players, but you've just got to outgrit them," says Wendel. "We played these guys a really tough, hard-fought, long game, we had them back on their heels, and I think that shows we can beat them." "We might all be pluggers, but we'll keep plugging away," says Pig Farming Goalie. That means Wink and his mates can't take their win on Sunday for granted, says the veteran defender. "We've got to work just as hard as they work. It's about trying to get three guys out there every shift that will work hard." "We were being outhustled and outmuscled in every corner and on every play," says Lobsterboy, who overcame a shaky start to make some key saves as his mates built their insurmountable advantage. "We have to play to win. We've got to come out as killers. We can't afford to float and bask in our victory today." But grit won't be enough for the underdogs to even the series and force a decisive minigame. "I think we need a little bit more luck on bounce of balls," says Pig Farming Goalie. "We were running lots but taking very low-percentage shots." "We have to make the most use of the talent we have," says Wendel. "We've jsut got to stay really focused and stick to our gameplan." A plan the leaders will spend the next week preparing for. "We're gonna have to withstand their early charge and not let it affect us," says Wink. "They're gonna push and they're gonna push hard, so we're gonna have to push back. Pack a lunch, put the dog in the kennel, call a nanny to clean up the house, because this is going to go long." Posted by jaysuburb at May 8, 2005 05:48 PMComments
Team Orange members please contact me on my cell phone ASAP (604-644-6750), we have an urgent development to discuss that could have a huge impact on the final result (p.s. it's good news). Posted by: PaulOne at May 14, 2005 09:48 AMColonel, If you need a ride -- and the other team is more than willing to take you -- I'll be more than willing to come get you. Posted by: Wink at May 13, 2005 10:55 PMLobster don't be a baby. I'm well within my rights to partake in the virtual portion of the "Stick" festivities. I put a lot more time into playing other Sundays than did some of the other combatants – including you with your “la dee da” trips around the world. For the record, I'm pissed that things were moved up this year because it has meant that I'm unable to play due to prior educational commitments. If it had been any weekend other than this weekend I would have been there. FYI, I could have played last week but I didn't want to make a mess out of the teams by coming out for just one of the games. So have a heart you crusty crustacean! If you keep it up I might just find a way to show up on Sunday. Wouldn't that just screw everything up - suddenly there would be a team of 9 playing a team of 8. Likewise, Paulone, as we are having a fmily get together at your house, my friends Wink, Bird, and Unabomber will be there to make sure that anhy accidents that happen, will befall you. (btw his right wrist is very temder due to a mountainbike incident last year, it wouldbe a shame if something happened to THE RIGHT WRIST.) Posted by: lobsterboy at May 13, 2005 08:46 PMGreat News Lobsterboy, but please be extra careful because you never know what type of accident might happen before 10.30 Sun am. Team Orange wants you at 100% so you don't have any post game excuses. Posted by: PaulOne at May 13, 2005 08:01 PMColonel get off the board, you are not even playing in the stanley stick... i would like to thank the media for keeping quiet about the lower extremity injury, but it looks like it is good to go on sunday. Posted by: lobsterboy at May 13, 2005 03:45 PMTalk talk talk yakity yak yak yak That's good Paul. Now channel that energy into Sunday's game and lead your mates to victory! Oh, and I gave the thumb thingy a try this time but I don't think I'll keep it as a habit. It takes too long to type messages using just one hand. Posted by: The Colonel at May 12, 2005 11:53 PMYup I still read this weekly and nope I won't be there to save Paul One from the beatdown he and his mates will get on Sunday. Posted by: New Guy at May 12, 2005 11:51 PMI think that's more sound effects than phonics Paul One, and I think you stole them from a breakfast cereal commercial, but it's OK. I know as well as anybody that there's lots of hockey to be played, and you guys aren't going to roll over because some people think the teams looked lopsided on paper. Posted by: Wink at May 12, 2005 09:53 PMYou gotta love the fact it is so easy to sit back and blast away what a person or team is going to do at the next game. Trash talk is good, even better if you back it up. I am also feeling the effects of the last game. I have strained hamstring and sore left wrist. Hey, no jokes about my bad wrist. I have to give Paul credit for the fact he has the most Stanley Stick victories. With that said I am looking forward to the next game. Posted by: Lak Attack at May 12, 2005 07:37 PMHey Wink, As for the Colonel. "Washed up"? Thanks for the compliment, sounds like I must have been something before. Anyway my streak may or may not come to an end, but at least I'm playing in the Stck and not posting with my thumb up my ass. P.s. Please remind me, how Sticks have you've won without my help? Posted by: PaulOne at May 12, 2005 02:10 PMCall me a purist -but the draws the draw. I'm not opposed to a trade -but it shoulda happened before the ball dropped ...and not before game 2. And it seems that everyone's forgotten how the 'orange' team dashed out the gate with a 3 goal lead before we even knew what hit us... or how Cowboy started sniping goals late in the game? (OK maybe a little too late in the game). The fact is, although the teams may look lopsided on paper -there's great players, scorers and leaders on both sides. As we all know the stick isn't isn't about skill so much as it is persaverence and determination, perhaps its not a trade thats needed to tip the scales -but a better attitude by some key players who already seem defeated... If Lak goes he goes. no complaints. We'll still win. And for the record Una -I was still limping on Tuesday. Posted by: elvis at May 12, 2005 01:15 PMGuess I hit a nerve. I didn't say it was a bad game, it was intense...just not •as• intense as the past couple of yrs imo. That was a hard fought game, a long game...could probably use more emotion (insert Colonel here). Sounds like I wasn't the only one who paid the price afterwards for playing hurt (& w/ the flu). Hopefully Lobster isn't too banged up. Posted by: Unabomber at May 12, 2005 12:52 AMSounds like this Stick needs a little livening up! Someone start trash talking Paul One. He likes it, feeds off it, needs it. Hell, I'll do it if no one else will: One you're all washed up and don't have a chance at victory. Your streak is coming to an end. Sunday will be an inevitable thrashing. If you show up your natural 30 minutes late to the game you might as well just not come at all because the game will be pretty much over already. Orange Team: as honourable it is to try to forge on with the team you were dealt you're crazy not to take Lak in a second if the offer is on the table. You might think you have the hardest working players but that's not going to be much of a condolance as you watch the Kid dance in to bury it upstairs, Unabomber, Wink, and Nibs ventilate PFG from the point, Elvis skip around humming "Viva Las Vegas", Bird tapping it in at the side of the net, and Lak just plain preventing you from even getting a good scoring chance. Lobster could stay home and his side would still win. Is Idol the only sane one on your team??? Heck, maybe New Guy will show up on Sunday to save the day … Prediction: - Lak stays on original team: Grey 20, Orange 6 - Lak moves to Orange team: Grey 18, Orange 20 (Grey team wins in the mini game) Posted by: The Colonel at May 11, 2005 11:20 PMDearest Paul One, You didn't get the Hooked On Phonics I sent you, did you? Your reading isn't what it should be. Hopefully that's what the problem was. Hopefully it wasn't you trying to play mind games. Mind games, at this juncture in the season, would be just plain wrong. JOIN LAK JOIN!!! Wink, What an insult, if I were Lak I wouldn't stand for it. Lak we'll welcome you with open arms. Do you want to join us? Posted by: PaulOne at May 11, 2005 03:47 PMIt's hard to believe that a team -- any team -- wouldn't jump at taking Lak. What an insult to road hockey's greatest player of all time. Posted by: Wink at May 11, 2005 02:12 PMUh oh, sounds like Beetle Boy has been hanging out in the sensory deprivation tank with Wendel again... Posted by: Living Legend at May 10, 2005 12:48 PMI have to agree with Paul One that you can't make trades after the first game has occurred. I agree that the card draw is what it is and it has to be respected. Maybe you could make trades right after the draw and before the first game starts, but once the game starts, the teams should be fixed. I am honoured to be on a team with Paul, Legend, Billy, Wendel, PFG, Cowboy and Gumper....these are the hardest working players in Road Hockey!!!
Una, "War-like atmosphere"? Between my f--ked up ankle and my now swelling knee I hobbling around like war veteran. By the way, I hear that Lobsterboy is on the limp as well. Is his broken toe bad enough to keep him out on Sun? Can you say backup goalie time?(i.e.Ottoman) We'll take Lak. Posted by: billy idol at May 10, 2005 09:17 AMHow come the Legend is never in any of the pictures? Posted by: Road Warrior at May 10, 2005 09:02 AMHow could it, when both goalies were dancing half-naked Bollywood-style before the game???? I don't know Una, I've been pretty sore for the past 24 hours. It may not have been a war, but it was a tough, hard-nosed game, probably the best of the season. Posted by: Living Legend at May 9, 2005 11:47 PMI don't think the teams are as lopsided as the score would indicate...however, my concern rests more with the intensity level of the game. It just didn't seem to have the war-like atmosphere of recent Sticks. Posted by: Unabomber at May 9, 2005 10:19 PMLak, Here's my 2 cents; I appreciate the offer and I'm sure we could use your help, but, the card draw is the traditional way of determining teams and it needs to be respected. I'd like nothing more than to share the Stick victory with you. Your a talented and fierce competitor, but sorry, your on the wrong team this year. That being said, I don't presume to speak for my whole team (or the Comish). They can log in with their opinions and who knows, maybe in the end you'll be able to join the winning side. Posted by: PaulOne at May 9, 2005 08:42 PMFor the record my post is not from another? I am hoping to get feedback from the commiss or we can decide on game day. If the trade happens and I am on the losing team then my name will not be on the Stick Trophy. By the way, I didn't contribute much to the first game. Posted by: Lak Attack at May 9, 2005 07:19 PMFor once I have to agree with Wendel. That's the funniest damn shot ever.
The Lobsterboy/PFG action shot has gotta be RHI's photo of the year. That's blackmail gold! Posted by: wendel at May 8, 2005 10:06 PMForeget Dineyland PFG, we are off to Bolywood! Posted by: lobsterboy at May 8, 2005 09:07 PMummm...ya, uh, lobster,.......it was nice, uh,.....dancing with you, uh, before the game. nice photo....you've got some really interesting moves........ya.... hey excellent idea Lak! That would help balance things out a bit. That's really swell of you to offer---heeeeeeyy wait a minute. you're not Lak! He never puts any posts on the website. you're an imposter. Why i oughta! Posted by: pfg at May 8, 2005 07:47 PMI think a trade might be in order for next week! I purpose the winning side give one player and they keep all their players. I would be willing to be traded for next week. Let me know what you guys think. Posted by: lak Attack at May 8, 2005 07:16 PMA card re-draw might have been in order. Posted by: The Colonel at May 8, 2005 06:28 PM |