January 10, 2010
Long shots make for short work
In a short game, it was the long shots that made the difference.
Rapier drives from the point by Nibs and Lak Attack propelled their team to a 15-11 win in Sunday's game shortened by a late start and early finish.
Four quick goals over Gump's shoulder and past his outstretched pad when he couldn't handle the quick, hard shots cost his team the early advantage they had built on some deft passing plays by Kid and Colonel and a pair of opportune tip ins by the Living Legend.
"They were picking corners, they were putting them in off the crossbar," said a disconsolate Gump after what he called his worst game of the season. "You know you're going to get beat by good shots, but as a goalie you have to keep your team in it. As soon as you let in a string of three or four goals, it costs you."
Not just on the scoreboard.
As Gump looked back at the shots that beat him, the shoulders of his teammates slumped noticeably as the run of goals robbed them of their early momentum.
"When you can get off those quick shots and they go in, it really kills the other team's momentum because a lot of times they're looking for great saves from their goalie," said Lak Attack.
It also forced their opponents to play tighter defensively. But turning their attention to jumping on the snipers before they could get off another shot left Cowboy Bill open to pounce on broken plays or juicy rebounds.
"When the other team tightens up, it opens up some holes," said Cowboy Bill. "I was able to pick up some garbage goals along the way because they had to tighten up their checking on Nibs and Lak."
And as they found their range, momentum shifted to their side.
"I think we got some breaks and just kept the momentum going," said Lak Attack.
"It gave us confidence that we knew we just had to put some good shots on the goalie and he was going to let them get past him," said Cowboy Bill.
For the fourth time this season, Sunday's game started as a modified half court match after only seven players showed up. Only an emergency call up to the Kid filled out the teams for a proper game.
The lagging attendance and chronic late starts aren't sitting well with some roadsters.
"It's a tough way to start the day," said Cowboy Bill. "We didn't have enough guys so we had to start playing a half court game and then you sort of have to change your style of play to play full court."
"I think the young people these days just don't understand the game starts at 10:30," said Lak Attack.
The ongoing absence of some stalwart veterans like Billy Idol and Elvis also has some roadsters concerned that some players are just biding their time until the Stanley Stick. That has the league office pondering changes to the eligibility requirements to be able to play in the climactic championship series. Previously, roadsters were required to play at least five games in the season to be eligible for the Stick, but that may be raised to eight this season.
This year's Stanley Stick will be played April 25 and May 2.
Hey, I'd be scared when Legend winds up from the point. In fact, I'm so scared that my brain automatically gets rid of the memory to prevent me any post traumatic stress disorder. I can't remember a time...
Posted by: V at January 16, 2010 05:27 PMroadtrip game in mexico, see you on the beach cowboy! dont do it, next you will have kids and responsibilities and duties at home, stay single!! oops dont tell the wife i have written
Posted by: lobsterboy at January 15, 2010 09:48 AMNah, I don't think that's what he's saying. It's more like "I really get scared when the Living Legend winds up from the point."
Posted by: Living Legend at January 14, 2010 10:26 PMI'll translate for Twizzler:
"Too bad Gump. I was hoping that you would show up again next week as the games are always competitive when the two of us are in net. I suppose your absence gives the Colonel an opportunity to go in net this Sunday. I welcome the rematch from two weeks ago as his fiery, yet endearing personality always makes for a good game. Don't drink to excess this Saturday evening Colonel. We wouldn't want you to have any lame-ass excuses when your team goes down in flames as I back mine to another perspiration-less shut-out. laugh-out-loud"
Posted by: Twizzler's Translator at January 14, 2010 09:03 PMhey boys...won't be there this weekend but should be back the following Sunday.
Posted by: Beetle Boy at January 14, 2010 07:10 PMHuh??????
Posted by: living Legend at January 14, 2010 07:05 PMtoo bad gump wuz hoping u to show up we always have good games but i guess it gives colonel a chance for a rematch against me seen he wuz looking forward for one hope u aint hungover this time lol
Posted by: twizzler at January 14, 2010 12:00 AMI'm on the island this week, so I'm out. Better get a hold of the backup goalie (ER) for this week.
Have a good game boys!
Posted by: Gump at January 13, 2010 07:17 PMSounds like a mediocre game this week :P. I sprained my ankle really badly last Monday (playing hockey of course) and I've been on crutches most of the week, soooooo my excuse is at least legit. I didn't sleep in or anything.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to go this weekend either, but I have a few days to recover still. Stick dates seem to work for me.
Posted by: Velma at January 12, 2010 02:19 PMI don't have a problem with the date if the availability of players is high. However, how about coming up with the dates by discussing with other players. Good commissioners are hard to find.
Posted by: lakattack at January 12, 2010 08:54 AMThe wedding is May 12th in Mexico so we fly out the 7th and will be back at midnight on the 16th. Sorry for screwing up the stick. It is not totally necessary to move the stick for me but I do appreciate it. Although I have a feeling this is more about Gump (a goalie) than a slow footed defencemen.
Posted by: Cowboy at January 12, 2010 08:45 AMI've been battling a nagging cold for the past month and will be away for a couple weeks but will be back for Feb.
Posted by: Bomber at January 12, 2010 12:03 AMCowboy Bill is getting married May 8 and both he and Gump have indicated they'll be unavailable for a May 9 finale, and I am unavailable the last two Sundays of the month.
We go through this debate every year and we're never going to be able to satisfy everybody, but as longtime stalwarts of the game, Cowboy and Gump have earned the chance to play for the Stick.
Turned out to be fun game because we finally lit up the Gumper and he played well.
To Everyone including ME the GAME STARTS AT 10:30AM, so that means the warm up starts at 10:20.
Game Time is 10:30am. Show up late and I will????????
And by the way, why is the stick a week earlier this year. I say lets find out when everyone can participate in both games.
Posted by: lakattack at January 11, 2010 08:34 PMThat's not all Lobster is pulling ...
A fat Scooby - looking forward to seeing it.
And Gump tells the truth, the courts are pretty good. Far fewer bizzarre bounces.
pulling a markus and taking half the season off and playing in another league to prepare for the stanley stick
Posted by: lobsterboy at January 11, 2010 12:04 PMThe courts are better now boys, so no excuses for not coming out. Come on, this is roadhockey!
Posted by: Gump at January 11, 2010 11:44 AMI'll be home in about a month, hopefully I can get enough games in to play in the stick. I'm a fat mess right now.
Posted by: Scooby at January 11, 2010 01:33 AM