Thursday, October 2, 2008

Aces Score Commanding 6-6 Draw

In the opening contest of the Black Aces' bid to defend their championship season of 2007-2008, the team scored a decisive 6-6 draw with arch-nemesis Wyse Guys team.

After a bit of a slow start in the first 44 minutes of the game, the blackshirts came on strong in the final nanoseconds to dominate the contest, delivering a withering 6-6 drubbing to the Yellows and sending a strong message to the entire Cedarvale league. (That message: "We're happy with a tie")

Team chiropodist Barry Pervin bagged the deciding goal with 0.00002 seconds to play in regulation time, crushing the spirits of the opposing team in the process. Many players were seen weeping in the post-game handshake line.

Other goal-getters included new recruit and local talent Ralph, on a nifty inside-out move, Art W with a pair (including one on a lovely give-and-go with Bob), Rich W with a goal so spectacular it has been wiped clean from my memory by its white-hot brilliance, and Andrew with a crafty bank shot that eluded the Wyse Guys' netminder.

Raj posted a solid performance between the pipes but for 6 brief lapses, making several key saves behind a defense that was perhaps a little too polite to the opposing team for much of the night. (Mea culpa).

No mention will be made here of Al or Joe, who cast their lot with the yellow team and perhaps prevented their comrades from notching a 'W'. Though they did do their best to take foolish penalties.

The most important development of the night, however, was not on the ice at all. Starting next week, post-game beverages are to be provided each week not by team mascot Aubrey but by a rotating lineup of players. The choice of brand(s) each week should be interesting. Premium imported or budget brand 'old man' suds? Tall boys or standard? The suspense is almost too much to bear.

Next week: late game again. Opponent: Warriors (white team). Raj is bringing the beer.

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