In Memoriam

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the passing of an era, and the passing of three fine individuals into the ice hockey afterworld. Lo, these many years have Brian, Raj and Paul performed their icely duties with great skill and aplomb. They steadfastly skated up, and occasionally back down the ice, or did their best to keep the puck out of the Black Aces net. For this we are eternally in their debt.

Shhh, shhh. Just let it happen.

We shall miss each of them in their own way.

Raj, for his lively pre-game banter and easygoing attitude.

My wife picked these out

Brian, for his exceptional attendance record and above-average ability to take a hit to the head.

Ready for work!

And especially Paul for his excellent updates on ski conditions around the world.

Go Aces!

Thank you good men, and good luck in your post-Aces endeavours. Raj, with your new responsibilities as a married man and Vishnu willing, father. Brian, as top skater in the friday night "E" division pickup league. Paul, as former owner and sponsor and still, hopefully, faithful contributor to the Aces retirement fund through continued generous payments of the yearly team fee.

In their passing they join previous Aces greats in that Cedarvale-halla in the sky. Barry, Len, Maurice, Bob, Andrew, and that one guy with that thing. You know who I mean.

Peace be with each of you.

In the meantime, however, the Aces carry on in defence of their COTHL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS title. The 2013-2014 season opener saw a back-and-forth battle against the white-shirted Warriors, a battle that ended in a 6-4 tie for the aces.

League rules apparently dictate that teams playing in defence a COTHL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS title have to spot their opponents 2 goals, to be determined at random by the referees. A solid game in goal from newcomer and Raj replacement Kevin was spoiled by a couple of bad bounces, but Brian and Paul replacements Mark and New Paul responded with a pair of goals each.

So, the official league scoresheet will show a 4-4 tie, but the official Aces scoresheet will show a 6-4 pummelling.

A fair start to what should be another epic COTHL season for the Black Aces.