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The others must have been shopping...

With Christmas one week away and the holiday season in full swing, the sunday morning turn out was perhaps understandably small. However, given that it was the last game for three weeks, many of the eight roadsters who did make the trek to the courts were surprised there weren't more roadsters.

"After the low turnout the week before, the territorial challenge from the roguesters, and the knowledge it was the last game until after the holidays, I'm for one a bit disappointed more guys didn't show up. Perhaps the possibility of a real fight scared them off."

As to the roguester report of a week ago, Elvis came clean.

"Ya, it was all bull."

What was also borderline bull, according to some of the players, was the stick for the game this week. With only enough players for one line each and a goalie, it seemed logical to balance the teams. But the sticks were pulled, and of course Lak and Kid ended up on the same team.

"A bit silly, if you ask me," commented PFG after the game.

And he wasn't even the goalie facing the deadly duo. Lobsterboy was given the dubious honour of stopping the two most feared players in Sunday Morning Road Hockey history. And with the score 9-0, Lobsterboy had had enough. PFG had already planned to announce a goaltender switch at 10 goals, but Lobsterboy pre-empted him. The others persuaded the crustaceous goalie to wait until the natural period end, which unfortunately--or fortunately, depending on the perspective---didn't take long. At 10-0, the sides were changed.

PFG had more success in the next mini game, but at 10-5 the result was still the same: Lak, Kid, and Idol with the win.

Despite the lobsided scores, the games were challenging. Both goalies had brilliant moments, PFG with a point blank save on Bird that left him beakless and Lobsterboy with several quick glove saves to keep the game--well, not close, but at least extended. And with court conditions treacherous, the teams relied on other tactics--tape to tape passes, and screens--to mark some highlight reel goals.

And perhaps because of the holiday season, both teams were content to enjoy themselves, and not bemoan to less that ideal conditions, turnouts, or stickpull. In the end, it was an enjoyable two games. Happy Holidays to all the roadsters, and may the red goal light always be your friend.

Unless you're a goalie.

Sunday morning's game was threatened by more than just a small turnout. PFG and Lobsterboy discovered the courts locked when they showed up early. To compound matters, the courts themselves were covered with a nasty sheet of frost and ice. And for the goalies, sitting in the western net was an exceptional test on the eyes, as the morning sun reflected off the frost, an enormous, angry nimbus to contend with.

Luckily, Bird came to the rescue with knowledge of where to find the keys, while PFG, Idol, and Elvis pitched in to purchased the salt to ease court conditions. The sun, well, it kept everyone warm.

Despite the salt, conditions were still quite slick, which helped to limit the effectiveness of Kid and Lak somewhat. The first goals of the game did not come early. However, once the court began to dry off, the speedy pair combined with Idol's sharp hands were able to take advantage of their mobility to make sharp passes and create space. And goals.

Following the two games, now down a goalie with Lobsterboy's departure to fulfill a prior commitent, the roadsters engaged in a shootout. The rules were vague, the shots many, and PFG performed admirably, finally solving the dangerous Kid for his last three or six shots.

A late appearance by the Living Legend was a surprise. Not able to play due to 'an exploitive employer'', to coin his very own phrase, he nevertheless felt honour bound to show up and see if anyone else did just that. More startling than his appearance, however, was his apparell. With designer glasses and jeans, Legend looked more like Hefner than any of the other roadsters could hope to aspire to. And with Hefner-like disdain, Legend/Suburb refused to take even a single picture of the game. Ah well. Probably for the best anyways, as we don't need to see yet another shot of Elvis nursing a hang over.

Posted by at December 19, 2005 07:40 PM