With a storyline and plot more complex than JRR Tolkien, the Grinders vs Grinders match-up was one to remember.
- Trainor (sick as a dog) picks up leading play-maker Triggs directly from the pub following 2.5 hours of beer and hot wings. How will Triggs perform? Will he fall down at the face-off circle during the first drop of the puck?
- Clarke bails from the game with gut pains - Geiber feels same pains and plays. Will the lower intestine come alive in the corner?
- Schmidt (sick as a dog) doubts his ability to perform. Will he puke in his helmet on the bench?
- Williams is ready for a big game and a big season. Is this the year that he shines?
As it turns out Triggs skates even better with a few beer under his belt. A little more aggressive but played one hell of a game. The alcohol oozing from pores and the wing-sauce-beer-belches on the bench could’ve been blown over the other shoulder instead of in my face, but other than that, he was stirring the pot, setting up goals and playing a great game.
Clarke bails at the last minute putting us one player down. Andy can’t sub because he’s sick. Glen with his cold plays the worst game of his career (even when he couldn’t skate), Gord is at the tail end of a flu, and Geiber starts complaining of the same stomach pains that Clarke has. With that many players playing in ill-health what are the chances? Well Gord and Geiber suck it up and play, simply, great hockey. Geiber picks up a couple of assists on the night, using his speed and passing ability to create plays all night long. And Gord, well we’ll never hear the end of it, he pulls a hat-trick out of his ass! Gord would have been the main topic of the night - and we wish he was because the next topic ain’t so fun.
Frank Williams is the recipient of a cheap push-in-the-back into the corner boards. In a heads-up move he spi
ns his head away from the boards and goes in feet first. Unfortunately with not-so-lucky results. The first-aid treatment and diagnosis indicates that it’s a torn achilles tendon. If severe enough he could be out for 4 months. We are still awaiting word as to his situation.
After all is said is done, the CuppaJoe Grinders climb back from a somnambulant start, and end up tie-ing the game in the third period 4-4. It looks as if overtime is a certainty, but the “other” Grinders would have none of it. With time running out they end up with a two-on-one, Peter plays it perfectly, but their last pass cross-crease positions the recipient with an open net. WIth 17 seconds left on the clock the bastards win the game.
Basdards? Did I say that? Usually we display such good sportsmanship. But its a common sentiment across the division that the style of play these Grinders play is not acceptable. Frank’s ankle is prime example. Next time boys - we’re out for non-less than a tromping on the score-sheet.
