April 11, 2010

Late season lull puts Stick in peril

With two games to go until the cards are drawn for the beginning of the Stanley Stick championship series, Sunday Morning Road Hockey's regular season should be reaching a crescendo.

Instead, the league is on the ropes as key players continue to miss games or, as was the case Sunday, the lack of a second set of goalie equipment prevented the playing of a proper game despite perfect weather and a court of full of eager roadsters.

That has many of them wondering whether the players will be up to the challenge of an intense, hard-fought finale, which is set to begin in two weeks.

"It makes you wonder about the Stick, if it's going to be the high calibre we're used to," said Gump, who declined to strap on the one set of goalie pads to save himself for an ice hockey game later Sunday.

And that may be part of the problem, said the Colonel; players don't seem to be making the commitment.

"You do need a commitment," said the veteran forward who's known for his intense play during the Stanley Stick. "It's going to be frustrating for those of us who are right on our games and ready to go."

A lingering injury to regular rearguard Twizzler, and the ongoing absence of Nibs, who's now missed three consecutive games for no apparent reason, has been a double-barreled blow to the league, depriving it of a stalwart shotstopper and a capable backup with the second set of equipment.

"It's really disappointing," said Cowboy Bill of the late season lull. Especially as Sunday's game was to be his last regular season tilt before he retires to move to a faraway country with his new bride. "To us stalwarts (the Stick) has meant something for a long time and it seems like the league is less committed to it. As the Stick rolls around you're less excited for it because you're not even sure who's going to be here."

The lack of intensity as the season gears up for its championship showdown is vexxing, said Beetle Boy, who was so discouraged by Sunday's sham he left before a scrimmage to salvage the day could be properly organized.

"This is bad," said the self-confessed fair-weather forward. "I'm befuddled by this whole thing."

Posted by jaysuburb at April 11, 2010 09:13 PM
Comments

Sold! You bring the $100 and I'll bring you a loonie in change. Anyone else want to donate goaltender gear that I can sell? I need the money to offset the cost of replacing my stick blades.

Posted by: The Colonel at April 17, 2010 11:08 AM

Colonel,
I'll give you $99 for Gumps pads. Not a penny more or less.

Twizzler are you coming out tomorrow and what about you Nibs are you coming???

Posted by: lakattack at April 17, 2010 09:16 AM

Sounds good - thanks Gump.

Hey, anyone want to buy Gump's pads from me? I'm selling them for $100.

Posted by: The Colonel at April 17, 2010 12:39 AM

Hey Guys,

I'm dropping my pads off with Kid tomorrow for the game on Sunday.

Posted by: Gump at April 17, 2010 12:30 AM

if that's true, then i'm pretty pissed. i didn't donate them to road hockey to get fucking sold.
I'd like my equipment back please legend. email me.
and bomber, i didn't mean to insinuate that the game was sad, as in lame. It's just disappointing to see the struggles road hockey is going through. especially being on the shelf.

Posted by: pfg at April 16, 2010 09:43 PM

PFG - very interesting questions. Last week I heard that Nibs bought your pads for around $100. So if you didn't sell them someone is walking around a little richer at your expense.

Someone needs to come clean to explain this debacle.

Yes, Lobster please come out.

Posted by: The Colonel at April 16, 2010 09:33 PM

I recommend that you come out this week lobster.
So, who has the goalie pads?? Nibs do you have the extra set of pads? I think we all should pitch in for a set pads. The cost for the light ones is around $100. If everyone can bring $10 that should cover the cost. We can discuss on Sunday.

Posted by: Lakattack at April 16, 2010 12:30 PM

rentagoalie, do you need the services of the lobsterboy? i am back from china

Posted by: lobsterboy at April 16, 2010 11:19 AM

Hey boys,

I won't be there this week. See you at the Stick!

BB

Posted by: Beetle Boy at April 15, 2010 02:47 PM

Oh and btw Sunday's game wasn't "sad" for me. It would have been better w/ a 2nd goalie but I had a blast out there. You should have stuck around Beatle. Looking forward to the Stick!

Posted by: Bomber at April 14, 2010 11:32 PM

What happened to the money we all donated a couple of years back? I thought the idea was Lak or someone was going to use it to purchase goalie gear to also help prvent these kind of situations. Did the gear ever get purchased? Perhaps thats the blue/black blocker I wore Sunday. Is it the gear that Nibs has? Just curious. Together w/ PFG's gear there should be close to 2 full sets.

If all we're missing is a mask & glove I'm sure we can all pitch in to cover that.

Posted by: Bomber at April 14, 2010 11:30 PM

which reminds me, legend, what the hell happened to that goalie gear i gave you a while back? it was supposed to be there so there would never be a goalie controversy. man, there was a blocker glove chest protector pants pads. almost everything but a jock and a helmet, which i figured you guys could cover at least. lame. if it's not being used i'd like it back please

Posted by: pfg at April 14, 2010 10:43 PM

There are no real names in Sunday Morning Road Hockey.

Which reminds me, Twizzler, don't forget to bring the trophy on Sunday.

Posted by: Living Legend at April 14, 2010 10:24 PM

hey when someone wins the stick does their real name go on it? or does it say like "Gump".

Posted by: hired gum at April 14, 2010 10:13 PM

Hey Kid,

Can you fire me an email with your address. I'll have to drop the pads off for you on Saturday around 5pm. I have another ice hockey game Sunday night so I'll have to grab them from you sometime on Sunday late afternoon. Thanks!

todd_mcphee@yahoo.ca

Posted by: Gump at April 13, 2010 02:15 PM

sad.

Posted by: pfg at April 12, 2010 10:17 PM

hey guys so sorry i couldnt make it out this week either but i should be fine for the next game for sure just twisted my right ankle but dont worry i will be there for the playoff games hope it will be a good one twizzler vs gump or is it gonna be nibs n twizzler

Posted by: twizzler at April 11, 2010 11:59 PM