Overall we’ve done well against these guys but there is a disturbing trend  in the works.   In September we shmoked these guys 6-2. Then we faced them again in November ad squeaked away with a win scoring two in a 2-1 win. But then the new year came and met them on january 29th when they won by a goal in a 3-2 game.  Is the pendulum swinging their way?  Are they due for blow out against the Grinders?!  Me thinks we have been taking them for granted and now have to come out full force looking to putting them away.

So…. right from the opening face-off… take a good, long, hard look at the opponent and make that decision that you will over come.

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do NOT follow that url. NSFW

A) We made an attempt to stay out of the box and found the the other team to be good sports about it.

B) Some of us mistook lack of penalties to mean lack of aggression.

C) Shaun really wanted to take the beer cooler but couldn’t because he had to leave quickly due to…..why? Why, Shaun do you rush out so quickly? Stay, relax, have a couple of beer.

D) Gord floated at centre and blamed his back.

E)Andy flailed down the right wing, got slashed, hooked, mauled, elbowed, and got beat about the head and shoulders with a burlap bag full of soggy  dishcloths, but still no penalty was called.

F) Bob rushed at an inopportune time and yelled at the wingers to get the point.

G) Santa and Tidy remembered the water bottles and reminded everyone about just how reliable they are.

H) We scored an own goal.  Sorry Peter.

I) Frank kept it all in perspective by reminding that we are one division away from women’s hockey.

J) Guy retorted, “Yeah, one division behind”

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Speaking of behind……

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(SEO note:  Keywords in the previous sentence will do well in search terms, only to sorely disappoint the users that land here expecting something a little more risque. We’ll have to do our best to satiate their desires with the end graphic.)

No, Courtney Cox was not involved. Just a bunch of over weight middle aged men clinging to their last vestiges of youthful activities they can still perform (not so well). About once a week they get out and play a little hockey. More often than they have marital sex. This game took on an atmosphere you may expect, one of competitiveness but good sportsmanship, as the oddly polite Cougar team took advantage of the Grinders own goals and penalties (sound familiar? I may just cut and paste from previous 83 entries)  to settle the game 3-0.

Actually let’s try that…. Here’s excerpts from Dec 1, 2007 versus the Cougars…

• We came out with a short bench, 10 skaters. It went without saying, keep the shifts shorts and stay outta the box.The tempo of the whole game was rather lax, so we could have been in there. And in fact we were for the first period. we made it through with no scoring from either team, but we realized that if we were going to make an impact we had to step things up.

That was about right!

October 14, 2008:

• The Grinders were clicking and getting many quality scoring chances, including at least two posts, but simply couldn’t get the puck past a hot goalie .

April 22, 2008

• The effort was big, the beer was cold and the smokies were hot; what else could you ask for? A win, maybe, but alas it was not in the cards. Gord set-up two wingers with saucer-like passes at point blank but to no avail – who were those wingers anyway? The Cougars got their first goal on a power-play.
  

March 28, 2008

• Peter plays a text-book game, making glove-hand saves, pad saves, sprawling saves and saves off his own defensemen.
  

March 24th, 2008

• The Grinders played a hard game with a few unlucky bounces that sank them, but there was a solid effort by Everyone, and I mean everyone including non-Grinders to make this game the best it could possibly be.

April 16, 2007

• Regroup at the bench. Troy is tired; Kuznak gives us the gears about getting some shots on the net. He’s right, at my count we’re at seven shots heading into the third. We’re down two goals and the frustration is starting to kick in. Puck drops in the third – me and Tanchak are out to kill off the remaining seconds in Geib’s minor, and we have Frank and Bob on the point. It goes well. Shortly after the Atoms pot their third goal and the Grinders’ spirits are crushed.

It’s who we are; long-shifting, penalty-taking, bad-lucking, no-scoring Grinders.   You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, so they say.

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But you can make them salivate at the ring of a bell

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The start of the second looked promising as well with PSP doing the most of the work (as it should be) and Trainor standing in front of the net (as it should be). PSP fed a perfect pass to the stick of Trainor, who then proceeded, for the first time in 4 games, to “think”.  He decided to “fool” the goalie and go short side. It’s just that kind of sharp minded offense prowess that has Trainor so far up the standings in total points.

…And then we got old. The clock struck 10:15, and halfway through the second period the All-Blacks potted their first of the night.  The Grinders started taking too many men penalties, which was understandable since some team manager posted the line-up BEHIND us on the wall, expecting us to actually turn around and see what our assignments were.

Passes went astray, checks went unchecked, ad the game got choppy.  If not for a few Grinders; Tidy with his new-found youthful exuberance as he enters retirement, Andy with his usual organic energy, Troy minus his 35 pounds (when did that happen!?), and Jay and Triggs showing off that they actually had hockey skillz.   Perhaps they could try to teach the rest of the adult-learned players some of these skillz. As Santa did!  Late in the third as he was defending our net he decided to show Trainor just how it was done. No hesitation and definitely no thinking involved, Santa buried the puck with authority in the back of the net, turned around and shouted at the forwards on the bench: “Thats How its Done!”

Andy did his best, ringing one off the crossbar in the third in an attempt to get us back in the game. And the line of Gord, Frank, Newts had the shift of the night keeping the puck in the All-Blacks zone for the entire shift ad banging away at the front of the net, but alas, to no fuition.

The game ended, the teams departed and the best part of most Grinders games commenced, the locker room banter. Which goes to show that in Hockey, sometimes the best action isn’t always on the ice.

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"No, no pucks in this net. I don't know why they asked us to check. We even swept in the corners. Guy wasn't playing, what do they expect?"

Peter wasn’t too busy in the first two periods so we adjusted our game plan and let him see the puck a little a little in the 3rd.  Someone on the bench mentioned the “S” word one shift prior to the Allblacks  scoring their one and only goal in the game.  Feeling guilty, perhaps, Jay took the ensuing face-off and carried the puck all the way to the Allblack netminder’s crease, but failed to score.  Unlike MR. TEIGEN who calmly placed his streak-maintaining goal into the net during the second period to extend his point-per-game streak to 5.  FIVE.   I want him on my line next game. Way to Go, Guy.

Bueno efforts were made from each and every player on the Grinders this game, with encouragement on the bench, short-shifts and a general sense of everyone giving their all. Including a glorious display of effort in the second period with a rush down the right wing, with almost Chacko-like flair and energy, until a little rub-out along the boards resulted in a Yard Sale.

Passing was the key to the game with the likes of Santa making his patented rush but then dishing off to the wingers, getting the defenders moving side to side opening up the ice in front of the net. Santa ends up with an assist on the nite, as does Triggsy, PSP and Cranston ends up with 2!

Tanchack gets a goal by letting go a blast from Yust Over the BlueLine (I capitalized that because I thought it would make a good Yorgy Yorgenson tune) and it was Newts who started it all off in the second period through good old fashioned hard work.  No need for any of that new fangled hard work.

In fact all three Grinder goals came in the second, then we hung on for dear life (See Start Strong and Hang On).  With time ticking away in the third period the Allblacks yanked their goalie and started to press in an effort to make a comeback> The Grinders were defending their end trying to do good by their keeper, wondering why it seemed a little lopsided and the pressure was a little more intense than it should be, we looked out to center ice, and what did we see? A Yard Sale.

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The clean first period and friendly atmosphere was soon marred as Santa couldn’t bear being kept off the score sheet, so he got there by way of an interference minor.  But have no fear Chacko is here and managed to save face by potting the Grinders 3rd of the game. In fact Andy got a point on 4 of the Grinders 5 goals. He then assisted on Guys and PSPs to end the game.

According to the official shot-o-meter we, the Grinders were outshot 22 to 21 that game.  Apparently dump-ins and icings count as shots on goal when you’re losing 5-0. Not to take anything away from the brobdingnagian performance of Peter who did keep the Kickers at bay during the third as they poured on the pressure trying to quash his shutout.

But alas there was no love for the Kickers as Guy and PSP buried two for the final tally of 5-0.

Those last few points of the game extended some significant streaks for some Grinders personalities, no, Bob did not get naked (this time) but he extended his point per game streak to 3 games, and Guy and Trainor (that dreaded Teigen-Trainor combination strikes again) extended theirs to 4 games. While Andy now tops the team with most assists in a game at 3.
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In the first period, however, we came out strong and came away with a 2-0 lead and never looked back. At 12:55, after a Glen and Troy poked around at a loose puck at the Goalie’s pads, it was Troy who eventually pushed it past the padded protector for the grinders goal. Glen, jealous that he couldn’t do it on his attempts took out his frustration on the Toques D-man.  The same dude would later score 2 goals in the third for the Toques in their failed attempt at a comeback.

It was Thinkchick who made his presence known next by capitalizing on a Guy Teigen assist at 13:20 of the first. And the two of them just kept on producing (Gord remember this match-up, Thinkchick and Guy on the same line). In the second period Guy deflected a Thinchick shot past the gormless goalie, then it was Thinchick, who, from the goal line beside the net roofed the rubber over the ragged rookie. That would be it for that line, with both Thinchick and Teigen ending up with 3 points on the night.

One other Grinder ended up with 3 points, PSP netted his goal in the third right after Gord deposited the dregs in the dumpster at 0:34.  Paul’s tally timed in at twelve twenty six as he eased his shot assuredly aside the shielded sentry. PSP’s other 2 points came on assists – See! He passes!

But one must not focus only on production in a proud performance but also the protection from Peter populating the parcel between the pipes. Peter took twenty two attempts to task terminating nineteen Toque tries.

But 10 other skates and a goalie did honour thy commitment and came out as ornery as ever.  Chacko made his marks early into the game scoring the first goal with help from Tanchak and Newts at 10:11, and then sitting in the sin bin 22 seconds later with an interference minor.  Not to be outdone, Jay took a penalty as well at 13:53  for hooking, and then again at 10:53 in the second for roughing, and then again in the third for Body Checking…apparently Jay wanted to go home early.

Tanchak put the Grinders up by 2 in the second with an assist from Guy, but the Storm rallied back quickly in the third, first taking advantage of the Power Play and then tie-ing it up even strength at 8:09.

But no one is keep the Grinders out this late and then hand them a loss, no siree! Dave Tanchak put another point on the board an scored the game winner after being set up with a sweet pass from Ashworth. Then Goats and Nickason added the insurance to put up a convincing 5-2 win.

But there is a story left untold as we look at the details of the game with Mr Chacko getting a 10-minute misconduct for harassing the official and setting the Grinders up for a season of officiating misery. Please, do tell.

Fine….

But when all was looking rosy, it was Goats who it seemed was destined to be the goat, taking a 4-minute roughing penalty at the end of the 3rd period for being a bully in front of our net. But, thankfully it was PSP who, although at first looking for a line change, was told to hoof it, and hoof it he did; end to end, with handlebars flapping on his cheeks, PSP nets the short-handed OT winner sealing a sweet victory for the team.

“No Goal! Net was off”  shouts the ref.   Well yeah, because the goalie made a concerted and obvious effort to dislodge the post as the puck was crossing the line. How about a delay of game penalty in return?  No such luck.

So the Grinders are determined to get that one back.

“No Goal!” shouts the ref, “uhhh… lemme think…. in the crease! Yeah, in the crease.”  The other team then presses and goes up 2-0.

It’s okay though because we have control of the game and are continually out-chancing them, so we have more goals coming for sure, don’t we?  Yep, there it is.
“No Goal!” shouts the ref, “Just Cuz!”

Then those guys score another and run Toller Crantson. But we don’t get discourage but keep on trying with one last press, jamming and crashing at the net with the puck going wide by the far post at the buzzer.

A good game and a great effort that was a fun one to play.Nothing to be ashamed of, but disappointing nonetheless.  And hey! A free jug o’ beer for a penalty free game on our part.

<Pics coming later >

And remember to go to the online locker room to vote for your 3 STARS

Paul Sheppard starts the season right with a 4-Pt night getting a natural hat trick and an assist. Two goals show as unassisted in the box score, but undoubtedly there was a great team effort happening; perhaps Troy coughing up a lung at the bench offering a distraction, or Gord hovering at the opposition blue-line occupying a defense-man while Paul skated coast to coast, or Bob shouting “The point, The Point! so loud as to startle the other team, maybe Frank was in conversation with the other team reminding them that we’re one step away from girls ringette, or Santa had a forward pinned by the neck under his KoHo in our crease, or Triggs was giggling on the bench at the way he was taunting their d-men last shift, while Geiber and Strodl compared notes on how many posts they hit last season and shaking their heads, as Leng was skaiting the right wing, head down,  thinking “just 20 more seconds, just last 20 more seconds” in an effort to have Gord complain at least once per game about a long shift,  while Andy was flailing up the left, his arms and legs going like egg beaters attracting the d-men like moths to light, while Tanchak sat on the bench thiking “Thank god I’m not full time any more,” and newcomer Newton thinking “I wonder why Tanchak left this team…” watched Paul skate up the ice and considered that his acceleration was dependent upon two variables – the force of his blades acting upon the ice and inversely upon his mass. And upon noticing how fast his legs were moving and how short he was started to think “No wonder that little bugger is so quick, ”

To answer you’re first question, Geoff,  we’re just a little dysfunctional, thats all, and having played summer hockey with you and judging by reports from the first game, no worries, you’ll get along just fine.

Turn out the lights the party’s over they say that all good things must end….

REGULAR SEASON STATS – TOP PERFORMERS

Longest Point Streak    5    Glen
Most Points in a Game    4    Paul
Most Goals in a Game    2    Gord / Paul / Andy / Jeff
Most PIMS in a Game    17    Jeff
Goals    9    Gord / Andy
Assists    17    Paul
Points    24    Paul
PIMS    29    Jeff
PPG    3    Glen
SHG    1    Jeff
GWG    3    Mike
PPGA    0.89    Paul
SO    2    Peter
GAA    2.2    Peter
SV%    0.903    Peter

PLAYOFF STATS – TOP PERFORMERS
Goals    2    Jay
Assists    2    Glen / Frank / Troy
Points    3    Glen / Frank
PIMS    4    Jay / Glen / Jeff / Paul / Andy
PPG    0
SHG    2    Jay
GWG    1    Jay / Jeff
PPGA    2    Troy
SO    1    Peter
GAA    1    Tim
SV%    0.970    Tim

Peter Hogan played another stellar game for the Grinders getting his first shutout of the playoffs and his 3rd of the season. Looks like first star of this game is going to Peter.

Jay sewed up the lead late in the third period while the Cuppa Joe Grinders had 2 men in the penalty box with under 2 minutes to go. The ass-hats pulled a bone-head move and instead of going with the 5 on 3, yanked their goalie to give themselves a 6-3, leaving their net gaping wide. Jay with his second chance on an empty netter in two games made good on this one hitting both posts (ok not really) before it hit the back of the net. A 2-0 Final advances the Grinders to their 3rd game

TONIGHT AGAINST THE ALBINO CRACKERS AT 8:45PM.

This year, I have decided to “Ride to Conquer Cancer” – this means I will be pedaling my bike from Vancouver to Seattle to raise funds for cancer research. I have joined “Team Finn” – formed by some of our close friends, to honour Finn Sullivan, the son of Pat, who passed away from a rare form of childhood cancer in October. Finn is survived by an extended army of fans, family and well wishers, including his mom (Sam Mason) dad, older sister and Twin brother. Pat and Sam were both classmates of Carolyn’s and are good friends of mine. I’ve attached to this email, Pat’s story about Finn, if you are interested to read about it. You may have seen Pat on the TV ads, or heard his voice on the radio spots he recorded to promote the ride here in BC.

While I will be honouring Finn with this ride, I am also motivated to do the ride because in addition to Finn, I have watched too many people close to me battle cancer. Earlier this year, I lost my childhood friend, Doug, to brain cancer. We are watching another friend struggle to fight this disease right now, which is heart wrenching for us all over again. I am motivated to make the journey because I believe that raising funds for cancer research will make a difference for the quality of life for cancer patients and hopefully save some lives too.

If you would like to make a donation, here is the link to my personal page, where you can make a donation online. (press Control and click on your mouse to get to the link)

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2009/634904429?px=1885268&pg=personal&fr_id=1281

Alternatively, you can give/send your donation to us and we will submit it and ensure you receive a tax receipt for it.

Thanks in advance everyone for your anticipated generosity.

Jeff Hubman

Most impressive, however, was Frank’s post goal celebration: caught on tape:

Then as Geiber sat in the sin bin for a tripping penalty it was Jay who capitalized on assists from Tidy and Troy (his second A of the night).

The third period started off a little scary as Trainor left an Ass-hat open in front of Tim to receive a pass from behind the net and bury it. But that was a quick wake-up call and the Grinders resumed their tight checking puck controlling game thereafter.  The Ass-hats started to get grumpy and cocky, getting dearly agitated from both Jay and Geiber throughout the night. The Ass-hats ended up taking 14 minutes in penalties in the third period and had 3 gentlemen ejected from the game.

The CuppaJoe Grinders took full advantage of the penalties and killed time through puck possession. PSP doing much of the work skating, controlling the puck, drawing penalties and then assisting on Ashworth’s Ass-hat Killer third period goal.

Well done boys.

See you guys next Friday April 17th at 6:45pm when we will win our second game of the playoffs.