The Cuppa Joe Grinders

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.

With our goalie sitting in the change room at the start of the game, the opposition (can’t remember who and too damn lazy to go to the ASHL website to check) scores a gimme to advance 1-0.  So the Grinders decide to take control of the game and get a quick goal in return.

“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

ou heard it here first ! The Winter 2009 / 2010 Season is underway and the Grinders take the first game in a 5-3 win over the Storm.

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.

Grinders go three games deep but couldn’t contain the Albino Crackers in the first period. A well played, well fought battle ended the season. Hold your head high.

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

Game Two against the second best Grinder team (otherwise known as the ass-hats) ends up 2-0 for the Grinders. With two full lines it took until the 2ns period for the Grinders to finally get a goal on the Ass-hat netminder. Jeffy Triggs ends up getting the game winner off an assist from Frank Williams. This author was too out of breath to actually be cognizant of how it was scored therefore no description will be provided.

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.

Hi Everyone;

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