The Cuppa Joe Grinders

Gony Tallagher:- This article is a little delayed, but I’m still getting over the shock and disbelief of what I witnessed last night. I’m staring at the official game sheet, and if I wasn’t there to see it with my own eyes, I’d swear that the timekeeper put the stats in the wrong column.2 shorthanded goals, 4 goals in 40 seconds to overcome a two goal deficit and win the game 6-4.A phrase like that isn’t uncommon in a Grinders article, but this is referring to Goals For, not against!

It all started with a shorthanded goal by Kong, and he did it in Grinder style. No sense doing it the easy way. With the goalie scrambling to get back in position, the net sitting wide open, the puck on his stick with a clear shot to the twine, Troy, apparently got a little excited.

One could say that he shot the puck off-target, but that would imply he actually took aim. 4-feet to the side of the net is more like a clearing attempt. Their goalie however, over estimated Grinder ability (quite common actually) and actually made a second effort to stop the shot. He got in the way of the “clearing attempt” and redirected it into his own net.

The tie-ing goal came 16 seconds later. Ex-Grinder and top scorer of the 2003-04 season, Bear capitalized on Santa’s efforts for that one. Santa gave Bear a nice pass, around the Grinder blue line, a couple of Punishers (ain’t that a mis-nomer) waved their stick at him like a couple of turnstiles as he skated past them. Bear sped up and backed up the D, slowed down and cut 90 degrees to make room, and shot it through the screen – at head height. Amidst all the ducking and cursing the puck ended up in the back of the net.

The winning goal was scored 14 seconds after that by none-other than a turtle race contestant, Jason Clarke. The Grinders “rushed” in, as only they can. As slow as it was Jason was still trailing.  Triggsy Sr. shot from the slot, and the rebound came wrapped in a bow to Jay. The so-called Punisher’s goalie was down in the butterfly, but despite all attempts to hit him in the chest with the shot, Jason missed and put it over his pad. It ended up in the back of the net.

The last goal came from Triggsy Sr. His second goal of the game, to cap off an assist and penalty (in which he took the other guy with him – something he does so well) This is as close we get to a Gordie Howe hat-trick in this league, three cheers to Triggsy. All Grinders should emulate this style of play.

Let’s see if you can do it again guys. You meet the same team this Saturday at 3:45.