March 02, 2008

Idol smiles

The biggest smile at the end of Sunday's game belonged to Billy Idol.

Snakebit in every one of his starts between the pipes so far this season, his side finally prevailed, eking out a 23-21 nailbiter in triple overtime. It was his first win. And it wasn't easy.

After digging themselves into an early 6-1 hole, his mates battled back furiously to take a five-goal lead of their own, 16-11. With their opponents' veterans struggling in the furious pace, they seemed on their way. But then the young snipers, Scooby and Doo, took control.

Wheeling and dealing from the corners, pressing the play with determined forechecking, they shifted the game's momentum in their favor.

"As a goalie, seeing those guys streak in from the center line has got to be one of the scariest things," said Billy Idol. "You know they're going to pick a corner, you know they're really fast, and they pass really well."

Well enough to put Billy Idol's squad on the precipice. But they weren't going to tip over easily.

"Near the end, it seemed like we were gassing out while the other guys were coming on," said Elvis. "We were pretty lucky to be able to turn it around."

"We were really trying, and the goals came from hard work," said Beetle Boy, of his side's desperate attempts to seal the victory. "Nothing really tipped the scales one way or the other."

"There were a lot of momentum shifts in this game," said Elvis. I think both teams wanted it pretty badly."

Battling for every loose ball, charging the net for every loose rebound, three times they evened the game in extra time.

"Our team never gave up," said Idol.

"It just seemed like a real grudge match," said Elvis. "Each team was fighting for one point at a time, goal for goal."

Nobody more so that his side's goalie.

"I think we were due for that," said Idol, relishing his first win of the season. "I was tickled pink because I won one finally."

FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THIS WEEK'S GAME,, CLICK HERE





The Commissioner's Office is considering two possible scenarios for the two-game Stanley Stick Championship Series. One would begin the finale on April 27, with the conclusion the following week, May 4. The second option would follow the same timetable as last year, starting the series on May 4, concluding May 11, which also happens to be Mother's Day.

Posted by jaysuburb at March 2, 2008 07:45 PM
Comments

I hate spring / fall time changes - they mess everything up. Here I am, all dressed up (in my road hockey gear) with no place to go. Why? Because it's 11:20AM NOT 10:20AM.

!@#$@!#$!@#$!@#$

Hope the game went well today.

Posted by: The Colonel at March 9, 2008 10:22 AM

so looks like i'm coming out tomorrow. But, i need to be done by 12:30. So i'm looking to start at 10:30, as opposed to 11. and hopefully everyone who's coming out can accommodate that too :)

Posted by: pfg at March 8, 2008 06:41 PM

Yup, will definitely be out for May 25th for Smith's wedding. Also, may not be able to make the following weekend as I'll be following Smith around on his honeymoon to get a leg up on the Paparazi...just kidding, I'll be available the last week of May.

Posted by: Gump at March 7, 2008 09:44 AM

congrats on the pending nuptials, smith! Where in the Shuswap are you saying "I do"? I grew up in Salmon Arm, so have a pretty good knowledge of the area, and cool places to go...

Posted by: pfg at March 6, 2008 07:41 PM

I also prefer the two weekends - rest needed...

I'm out for May 18(long weekend), May 25(getting married in the Shuswap - Gump and Cowboy likely attending), May 31 (honeymoon).

Posted by: Smith at March 6, 2008 01:36 PM

I am also participating in a run on May 4th, but I am only crazy enough to do a half marathon.

I am also a maybe for this weekend as I am running a race in Langely on Sunday morning. I should be able to make it back on time if the race starts on time.

Posted by: Cowboy at March 6, 2008 12:24 PM

I dont even want to verbalize the streak Ill have on the line...

Posted by: elvis at March 6, 2008 11:10 AM

The Colonel doesn't care when the Stick is - he'll be there making a charge for his third straight Conn Stick trophy!

Posted by: The Colonel at March 5, 2008 06:22 PM

I too do enjoy the week between the first and second games ...and also agree that the season has become too damn short. Last time I checked no one has complained about playing in nice weather... for a change.

Id prefer to make the season longer -not shorter. And c'mon, since when was mother's day an all-day event?

Posted by: elvis at March 5, 2008 06:12 PM

I'm out for the May 4th weekend. Also, I'm headed up to Whistler this weekend, so I'm out for this Sunday too. I'm too distraught from last weeks loss, need to see my therapist.

Posted by: Gump at March 5, 2008 08:16 AM

knowing the constraints of trying to organize a schedule, the all-in-one weekend sounds like a good idea. however, i would miss the anticipation, build up, mud slinging that invariably happens during the week between games (right Paul One?). And it's true, not everyone is going to be pleased. however, at least we are looking at the schedule now, so there is no surprises.
I hope to make the Stanley Stick, at least. We'll see how much having a baby gets in the way of that (or helps...:)).

Posted by: pfg at March 5, 2008 12:25 AM

When you pushed me from behind and I slipped and fell on the wet court. How quickly you forget.

Posted by: lakattack at March 4, 2008 07:10 PM

And when the hell did I injure you Lak?

Posted by: Living Legend at March 4, 2008 06:12 PM

Mid May takes us into the Victoria Day weekend. Beyond that, we're into June and the weather starts to get too warm, and people begin leaving on holidays.
No date is gonna satisfy everybody, but we should try to make it work as best we can for as many people as we can; we'll place people on teams even if they can only play one of the two games, just as we've always done.
Last year, we finished on Mother's Day as well, and I think all who were there would agree, it was one of the most competitive, hard-fought Stick series ever, partly because nobody was wilting from the summer heat.
As for the Saturday/Sunday idea, it's hard enough to get people out one day a week, let alone ask them to give up an entire weekend away from their families, etc. And, given the intensity of the Stick, and many of our aging bodies, the week of recovery between games is pretty much essential. Plus, I work on Saturdays.

Posted by: Living Legend at March 4, 2008 06:10 PM

I am also in favour of having the two games of the Stick back-to-back, provided I have enough notice of the dates to book the saturday off work. As well, I think that mid-May would be a good time for the Stick, because that gives us a bit longer of a season and maybe a bit more time for the weather to improve.

Posted by: Doo at March 4, 2008 05:21 PM

Beetle I will not make it to hockey tonight because the Living Legend injured my hip flexor. And why is it that the Living Legend has injured me the most?

Posted by: Lakattack at March 4, 2008 02:11 PM

Much to say today. First that was a fun game and glad that the good guys won. Second the dates for the Stick suck. I am doing the Vancouver Marathon on May 4th so that date noo good! And why are the dates for the Stick so early. However, I do like the idea of playing back to back games on the same weekend. I say we take down the commiss and elect a new one.

Posted by: LakAttack at March 4, 2008 02:02 PM

Lobsterboy made an interesting suggestion a couple of weeks ago: host the Stanley stick on one weekend. Game 1: Saturday at 10:30 and Game 2: Sunday at 10:30. If a deciding game is needed it could be a full game at 10:30 the following Sunday. Does anyone like these ideas? I thought they had some merit.

Posted by: The Colonel at March 4, 2008 09:53 AM

Okay, the Mother's Day option for the Stanley Stick would not be great but I really don't want to have the Stanley Stick start in April!?!?! Since I started playing 5-6 years ago, almost a month has been shaved off the schedule!

Posted by: Beetle Boy at March 4, 2008 07:55 AM

yeah Beetle had it not been for your 'Flummoxing' -you guys may of had a chance...

Smith -drop me an email when you have a chance in case we need to jump in with ya next week! mark@sli-fi.com

Posted by: elvis at March 3, 2008 12:32 PM

That was a great game...it sucked to be on the losing end but it was such a fun game to be a part of.

Damn, those are awful pictures of me.

Posted by: Beetle Boy at March 2, 2008 11:11 PM

I think it was Elvis' tongue...or Beetle Boy's...

Posted by: pfg at March 2, 2008 10:37 PM

Hmmm ... I thought the final score was higher than 23 - 21. Wasn't it 25 - 23?

How many did the Legend end up with? I lost count at 5. He must also have been tickled pink. But who was doing the tickling?

Posted by: The Colonel at March 2, 2008 09:41 PM