Post by Old Bucks Admin on Feb 6, 2023 16:40:25 GMT -5
Some weeks, in order to beat Red, Blue needs to do immortal deeds against impossible odds. Other weeks they just need Kenny and Paul Egan on defense. Week 19 was such a week, the auto-generated lineups made while Brian Urban was in an auto on his way to his nephew’s birthday party. It was a daunting task trying to find parity in the 30+ people signed up on the TeamReach App. The club is not used to accommodating so many skaters. There was even talk of putting up “Event Parking” signs and posting Kenny with day-glo orange batons to wave at players as they arrived. “We need two locker rooms! Please!” was the sentiment on WhatsApp, the exclamation points denoting a shrillness unbecoming for hockey players. We repressed the urge to write back, “Suck it up. We’re only getting one.”
So Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this week. In the old days that always meant six more weeks of Blue losses. Now that Brian picks teams the auguring marmot has no impact on Old Bucks games. Incidentally, in Nova Scotia, according to Paul Egan, they give Ground Hog Day its own maritime twist. Every February 2 Lucy the Lobster crawls out of the sea and if she sees her shadow it means six more weeks of hockey on the frozen bogs and fens outside Halifax.
Somehow Old Bucks managed to squeeze 11 derrieres onto each bench. Ben David was not there, but we still use derriere because it’s part of the new lingua franca of the locker room. Because of the glut of players the rule on both teams was “Short shifts, boys. One minute for forwards, two for defensemen and they’re not effort optional”. Aaron Kibbey “got the party started” to borrow some of the jargon Rich’s friend, Ezra, uses when he’s doing the play-by-play for the Northeast Generals and Blue had the 1-0 lead. Then Bob Freiling ripped up ice on a fast break and we were sure it was about to be 2-0. He took a huge cut at the puck, barely got any wood on it—and fell down. When he got up he looked puzzled and not only checked the blade of his stick but its lot, model and catalog numbers too.
Speaking of huge cuts, Chris Dougherty launched a balloon-seeking missile into the top corner to tie the game at one apiece. Surprisingly, Red neither cheered nor banged on the boards. Instead they threw up their hands and said, “Took you long enough!” Chris doesn’t make the drive up from Center City for nothing and quickly gave Red the 2-1 lead. Bob Freiling tied it up; then John Lupisella dished to Eddie who dished to Joe Tona who banged it home and Red was looking scary methodical in its team work and leading 3-2.
Never underestimate Rich Devlin when he’s in his office with three monitors going: offense, defense and the Q1 M&A’s. He tied the game at threes and three goals later gave Blue the 5-4 lead. Brian Urban extended the lead to 6-4 and Blue really clamped down on defense, ordering Rich Cerbone and Joe Bruno to hover in front like surveillance balloons and contain Eli Reid and the new dude in the Habs jersey who wore it tucked in the back like Gretzky. It worked and Chris Dougherty scored Red’s last goal of the game at 6-5.
Gotta hand it to Red’s defense: it put in a highly sustainable effort with minimal energy consumption. Blue went on a five-goal tear, all the more remarkable because five different players scored: Joe Herbert, Jim Heffern, Bob Freiling, Josh Hunter, and finally Ryan Crowell who, we might add, was once groomed for greatness at UPenn’s club program. Now that’s he’s found greatness at Old Bucks we suggest he work on his grooming and finally get a haircut.
Vinnie tweaked his knee on Josh’s goal and, as a precaution, bowed out early after Ryan’s. A skeleton crew of players played on for the last 15 minutes although “skeleton” is something of a misnomer since a couple porkers were still out on the ice. Vinnie’s exit made it a hollow victory for Blue but at least with hollow victories there’s more room for pizza and beer.
So Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this week. In the old days that always meant six more weeks of Blue losses. Now that Brian picks teams the auguring marmot has no impact on Old Bucks games. Incidentally, in Nova Scotia, according to Paul Egan, they give Ground Hog Day its own maritime twist. Every February 2 Lucy the Lobster crawls out of the sea and if she sees her shadow it means six more weeks of hockey on the frozen bogs and fens outside Halifax.
Somehow Old Bucks managed to squeeze 11 derrieres onto each bench. Ben David was not there, but we still use derriere because it’s part of the new lingua franca of the locker room. Because of the glut of players the rule on both teams was “Short shifts, boys. One minute for forwards, two for defensemen and they’re not effort optional”. Aaron Kibbey “got the party started” to borrow some of the jargon Rich’s friend, Ezra, uses when he’s doing the play-by-play for the Northeast Generals and Blue had the 1-0 lead. Then Bob Freiling ripped up ice on a fast break and we were sure it was about to be 2-0. He took a huge cut at the puck, barely got any wood on it—and fell down. When he got up he looked puzzled and not only checked the blade of his stick but its lot, model and catalog numbers too.
Speaking of huge cuts, Chris Dougherty launched a balloon-seeking missile into the top corner to tie the game at one apiece. Surprisingly, Red neither cheered nor banged on the boards. Instead they threw up their hands and said, “Took you long enough!” Chris doesn’t make the drive up from Center City for nothing and quickly gave Red the 2-1 lead. Bob Freiling tied it up; then John Lupisella dished to Eddie who dished to Joe Tona who banged it home and Red was looking scary methodical in its team work and leading 3-2.
Never underestimate Rich Devlin when he’s in his office with three monitors going: offense, defense and the Q1 M&A’s. He tied the game at threes and three goals later gave Blue the 5-4 lead. Brian Urban extended the lead to 6-4 and Blue really clamped down on defense, ordering Rich Cerbone and Joe Bruno to hover in front like surveillance balloons and contain Eli Reid and the new dude in the Habs jersey who wore it tucked in the back like Gretzky. It worked and Chris Dougherty scored Red’s last goal of the game at 6-5.
Gotta hand it to Red’s defense: it put in a highly sustainable effort with minimal energy consumption. Blue went on a five-goal tear, all the more remarkable because five different players scored: Joe Herbert, Jim Heffern, Bob Freiling, Josh Hunter, and finally Ryan Crowell who, we might add, was once groomed for greatness at UPenn’s club program. Now that’s he’s found greatness at Old Bucks we suggest he work on his grooming and finally get a haircut.
Vinnie tweaked his knee on Josh’s goal and, as a precaution, bowed out early after Ryan’s. A skeleton crew of players played on for the last 15 minutes although “skeleton” is something of a misnomer since a couple porkers were still out on the ice. Vinnie’s exit made it a hollow victory for Blue but at least with hollow victories there’s more room for pizza and beer.