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Legend turns back the calendar

It was like the calendar had been turned back ten years.

The Living Legend shook off a check and streaked in from side of the court. Lobsterboy girded himself for one of the wily veteran's patented backhands that have fooled him so many times.

But the Legend's learned a thing or two in his long road hockey career. Instead he lifted a wrister high over the creaseminding crustacean's shoulder to score the overtime winner, 11-9, in Sunday's special Hall of Fame game.

"I'll never live that down," said Lobsterboy as he peeled off his goalie equipment for the first time in almost two years. "I was expecting a backhand and he took a forehand shot."

In fact, the Hall of Fame game was all about the unexpected.

Journeyman forward dal Monte, who was never known for his prowess around the net when he played back at the old tennis courts and lacrosse box, sparked his side to an early 4-0 lead by scoring the game's first two goals.

And it was a line of aging veterans, Living Legend, Guy Called Mike and Sexboy who forged their side's comeback by outhustling their younger, more spry defenders.

"Maybe we're not as fast, maybe our shots aren't as hard, but people are still competitive," said GCM, who played his first game in more than eight years in a new pair of sneakers purchased on the way to the road hockey courts.

"The one thing that doesn't feel the effects of time is the warrior spirit," said Sexboy, after his first game in almost ten years. "I got my stick on and got out there and that spirit surged back within me."

Although the body wasn't always willing. Even as his side battled its way back into the game after giving up its early advantage, Paul One admitted it was tough to keep up with the pace.

"You forget how quick everything moves," said the veteran forward known for his competitive drive, especially late in the season. "You don't have time to move the ball, everything happens in split seconds out there."

For the younger roadsters who stuck around for the Hall of Fame exhibition, it was a chance to see the game's foundation in action, the blocks of camaraderie and competition upon which the game was forged and that has fueled it for 20 seasons. For the grizzled veterans who strapped on their shinpads one more time, it was a chance to once again feel the sting of the evil orange plastic ball.

"I'm telling you that Father Time goes in one direction and one direction only," said Sexboy. "I felt every year, every month, every day, hustling my butt out there, and it's a tough thing to do."

"Maybe we're not as fast, maybe our shots aren't as hard, but we're still competitive," said Guy Called Mike. "It doesn't matter how old we are."

• Three roadsters were inducted into the Sunday Morning Road Hockey Hall of Fame Sunday. The tributes to Lobsterboy, Paul One and Wink are now posted on the Hall of Fame page.
• Sunday's Hall of Fame game was preceded by a regular game.
• Goaltending Stalwart Wawrow was a late scratch from Sunday's Hall of Fame game after he was called in to service the onerous demands of his exploitive employer.

Posted by jaysuburb at February 23, 2010 12:04 AM