Lake Placid, NY - I’m not even sure where to begin. When I think of last night’s game, the only thing that is popping into my head is “HOLY SHIT.”
I have never been a part of a more unbelievable comeback than that of last night’s barn burner in the USA Rink. With four minutes remaining on the clock in the third period, the Hammers scored five unanswered goals to beat the Sportplexe 4 Glaces by a score of 6-4.
Hammers – 1
Poison – 1
We got the poison out of us before game 2 and it surely paid off for everyone on the team. After the big win, the entire team drank beer and ate pizza, took some fun pictures and celebrated the most amazing comeback in Hammer History. Meanwhile, the crazy Quebecois team was on suicide watch after watching their three-goal lead dissipate. That’s what they get for the jack-ass who celebrates a goal that never went in. Looking back, that was freaken funny. Up yours pal and to the rest of your flying Frenchmen teammates.
So now on to recap the final four minutes of our storied win. Determination, passion and the refuse to lose attitude was what willed us to victory. With some grit from Dan Mahoney behind the net, he got the puck out front where I had an easy tap-in goal. It would be my first of the tournament, which made the score 4-2 Glaces. I would be remiss not to mention that Mahoney got us going in the first period with a goal of his own.
Jumbo Juggy Jonathan Crowton made it 4-3 on an absolute laser beam that went top-cheese on their goaltender’s glove side. I would tell you their goalie’s name but I’m not going to for two reasons. 1, you won’t be able to pronounce it and 2, who gives a shit.
Next, Hammers defenseman and resident bone-cracker, Joe Valeriotte, slid a crisp pass to my tape through the neutral zone and I quickly scurried into the zone and deposited my second goal of the game to knot it all up at four apiece. Yes, I celebrated. Sorry hockey gods, we couldn’t help it.
Finally, with just 11 ticks remaining, Michael “Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese” Gresko tallied the game-winner with a beautiful bank shot from behind the net. I believe he was trying to pass to me in front or the streaking Valeriotte behind me but we only needed to watch as the puck hit the Glaces defenseman and eluded their goalie five-hole. Hammers 5 and the Glaces 4.
With three seconds left on the game clock, towering d-man Matt Sosik lofted a backhander over everyone’s head and into their goal. Buzzer goes off, Hammers win, time to party.
So there you have it. You needed to be there to actually witness how awesome it was, but take it from me and anyone who was there, it was pretty cool.
Now, we look to win our third game and get us into the gold-medal game as we play the Dugay Sport Gatineau at 3:10 pm. Before that we will cheer on our beloved Boston Bruins at 12:30. With three teammates from Philly, this should make it fun.
Oh and Charlie, you owe me ten bucks!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Hammers Revive Wounded Moose, Lose 4-3
The Hammers played their first game on Friday morning at 11:30 am and let their first game of the tournament slip right out of their fingers with a 4-3 loss.
Linemates Paul Carpenter and Ric Novak connected less than a minute into the game when the team President of Shananigans and drinking, Carpenter, threaded an easy tap-in goal to Novak to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead. With that goal, the Hammers looked to be in a great position to walk away with win No. 1 and an easy two points for the tournament’s first game.
OHHHH contraire my friends.
The Wounded Moose came alive and ended the first period with a 2-1 lead. The goals came at unlucky times for the Hammers as both goals eluded netminder Charlie Kunkle with a trickle and a redirection. The Moose, fresh off their AARP meeting, banged in another early in the second and put the Hammers on their heels.
The two teams continued to battle and sure enough, on goals by Chris Mackin and Paul Carpenter, the Hammers notted the game at 3-3. The Moose-Knuckles showed resiliency though and went up by a score of 4-3 by the end of the second period. That would be all they needed for scoring as the Hammers weren’t able to catch a break to tie the game back up four apiece.
The Moose survived a serious on slot of shots at the end of the final stanza when the Hammers pulled Kunkle. Unfortunately, the Moose’s humungous goaltender thwarted their efforts and the Hammers were sent off losers in their first game of the tournament in four years.
Kunkle finished the game with 23 saves on 27 shots, while the Moose’s Monster had 31 saves on 34 shots.
After a beautiful afternoon of barbecuing and drinks by the rolling Mansion of the Novak’s (that’s Motorcoach for us common folk) the Hammers will look to even their record at 1-1 with a game at 9:10 pm. They will take on the Sportplexe 4 Glaces from Pierrefonds, QC.
One thing on our mind? Redemption… and hopes of a gold medal rematch against the Wounded Moose. Here’s hoping to show them exactly how Wounded we can make them.
For the full box score, click here.
Linemates Paul Carpenter and Ric Novak connected less than a minute into the game when the team President of Shananigans and drinking, Carpenter, threaded an easy tap-in goal to Novak to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead. With that goal, the Hammers looked to be in a great position to walk away with win No. 1 and an easy two points for the tournament’s first game.
OHHHH contraire my friends.
The Wounded Moose came alive and ended the first period with a 2-1 lead. The goals came at unlucky times for the Hammers as both goals eluded netminder Charlie Kunkle with a trickle and a redirection. The Moose, fresh off their AARP meeting, banged in another early in the second and put the Hammers on their heels.
The two teams continued to battle and sure enough, on goals by Chris Mackin and Paul Carpenter, the Hammers notted the game at 3-3. The Moose-Knuckles showed resiliency though and went up by a score of 4-3 by the end of the second period. That would be all they needed for scoring as the Hammers weren’t able to catch a break to tie the game back up four apiece.
The Moose survived a serious on slot of shots at the end of the final stanza when the Hammers pulled Kunkle. Unfortunately, the Moose’s humungous goaltender thwarted their efforts and the Hammers were sent off losers in their first game of the tournament in four years.
Kunkle finished the game with 23 saves on 27 shots, while the Moose’s Monster had 31 saves on 34 shots.
After a beautiful afternoon of barbecuing and drinks by the rolling Mansion of the Novak’s (that’s Motorcoach for us common folk) the Hammers will look to even their record at 1-1 with a game at 9:10 pm. They will take on the Sportplexe 4 Glaces from Pierrefonds, QC.
One thing on our mind? Redemption… and hopes of a gold medal rematch against the Wounded Moose. Here’s hoping to show them exactly how Wounded we can make them.
For the full box score, click here.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Hammers Gear Up for Annual Lake Placid Hockey Tournament
"Big Gulps huh? Welp, see ya later!"
That was the initial thought as the Auburn Hammers opened up their schedule for the annual Lake Placid Hockey Tournament. It read, four teams, three from Canada, and of course, the Hammers, from Auburn, MA. Auburn what? Thats right, Massachusetts -- of the good ole U.S. of A. Quite far from the hockey mecca and holy land we all call Canada, but it will do. It will have to do. Usually every year we play at least one team from Canada. Except this year it will just have to be 3 teams. No worries.
Every year we drink beer and play hockey. Each year, we do it exceptionally well and this year should be no different. My initial thought as I write this is that when these Canadian teams lose to us, I would imagine losing to Americans is like losing to a girl. Im not calling us girls by any stretch, but more so because Canada is where hockey originated. They probably think theyre entitled, like most Canadian hockey teams. I mean, in the NHL, the canadian fans boo our National Anthem prior to puck drop. As far as Im concerned, this is our redemption.
I'll introduce our opponents in just a minute here. FIrst I would like to introduce the 2010 Hammer Hockey team that will embark on Lake Placid soil and ice in less than a week.
NO. Player name HT. WT.
3 Paul Carpenter 5'9" 180
4 Ric Novak 6'3" 180
8 Craig Zaleski 5'7" 175
10 Chris Mackin 6' 195
11 Jeremy Lemoine 5'6" 165
12 Rob Beausoleil 5'8" 210
13 Dan Maloney 5'10" 185
14 Mike Gresko ? ?
17 George Carpenter 5'10" 185
18 Mike Fuller 5'8" 175
19 Joe Valeriotte ? ?
20 Jonathan Crowton 6'1" 550*
22 Matthew Sosik 6'5" ?
34 Joe Casasanta 5'8" 195
39 Corey Lacaire 5'8" 205
31 Charles Kunkle ? ?
* = Wears "D" bra size.
So, there you have it. We might be all different shapes and sizes, but we all have a few things in common. We love shananigans, hockey and alcohol. Oh and more, we would all look fantastic with a gold medal hanging around our neck!!
Our Schedule:
Friday 4/30 vs. the Wounded Moose (Toronto, Ontario) -- Herb Brooks Arena 11:30 AM
Friday 4/30 vs. Sportplexe 4 Glaces (Pierrefonds, QC) -- USA Rink 9:10 PM
Saturday 5/1 vs. Dugay Sport Gatineau (Gatineau, QC) -- USA Rink 3:10 PM
Sunday 5/2 vs. TBA Gold Medal Game -- 12:30 PM
We dont know much about any of the teams. I was able to find a website on the Wounded Moose. You can also track our progress on this website and http://www.pointstreak.com/.
Check back soon for more!!
That was the initial thought as the Auburn Hammers opened up their schedule for the annual Lake Placid Hockey Tournament. It read, four teams, three from Canada, and of course, the Hammers, from Auburn, MA. Auburn what? Thats right, Massachusetts -- of the good ole U.S. of A. Quite far from the hockey mecca and holy land we all call Canada, but it will do. It will have to do. Usually every year we play at least one team from Canada. Except this year it will just have to be 3 teams. No worries.
Every year we drink beer and play hockey. Each year, we do it exceptionally well and this year should be no different. My initial thought as I write this is that when these Canadian teams lose to us, I would imagine losing to Americans is like losing to a girl. Im not calling us girls by any stretch, but more so because Canada is where hockey originated. They probably think theyre entitled, like most Canadian hockey teams. I mean, in the NHL, the canadian fans boo our National Anthem prior to puck drop. As far as Im concerned, this is our redemption.
I'll introduce our opponents in just a minute here. FIrst I would like to introduce the 2010 Hammer Hockey team that will embark on Lake Placid soil and ice in less than a week.
NO. Player name HT. WT.
3 Paul Carpenter 5'9" 180
4 Ric Novak 6'3" 180
8 Craig Zaleski 5'7" 175
10 Chris Mackin 6' 195
11 Jeremy Lemoine 5'6" 165
12 Rob Beausoleil 5'8" 210
13 Dan Maloney 5'10" 185
14 Mike Gresko ? ?
17 George Carpenter 5'10" 185
18 Mike Fuller 5'8" 175
19 Joe Valeriotte ? ?
20 Jonathan Crowton 6'1" 550*
22 Matthew Sosik 6'5" ?
34 Joe Casasanta 5'8" 195
39 Corey Lacaire 5'8" 205
31 Charles Kunkle ? ?
* = Wears "D" bra size.
So, there you have it. We might be all different shapes and sizes, but we all have a few things in common. We love shananigans, hockey and alcohol. Oh and more, we would all look fantastic with a gold medal hanging around our neck!!
Our Schedule:
Friday 4/30 vs. the Wounded Moose (Toronto, Ontario) -- Herb Brooks Arena 11:30 AM
Friday 4/30 vs. Sportplexe 4 Glaces (Pierrefonds, QC) -- USA Rink 9:10 PM
Saturday 5/1 vs. Dugay Sport Gatineau (Gatineau, QC) -- USA Rink 3:10 PM
Sunday 5/2 vs. TBA Gold Medal Game -- 12:30 PM
We dont know much about any of the teams. I was able to find a website on the Wounded Moose. You can also track our progress on this website and http://www.pointstreak.com/.
Check back soon for more!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Bruins Desperate for a Win
As I sit here during my lunch break, I figure why not write about the Bruins. I’ve already eaten a sandwich and well, quite frankly, every time I think about my favorite team I feel sick to my stomach. So, with that being the case, why not write about them.
Anybody who follows hockey or even the Bruins knows that the trade deadline is looming and if the Bruins want to make the playoffs something will need to happen.
Now, when I say something needs to happen, that doesn’t mean go out and send two draft picks, two prospects and a roster player to Atlanta to have Ilya Kovalchuk play for your team for two months. I’m all set with that notion. No matter what this team does this year, they are not winning the Stanley Cup. There is just not enough passion in the locker room. So, bringing the almighty Ilya Kovalchuk to the team will be a waste, even if he is one of the most dynamic scorer’s in the league.
Okay, so now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, that doesn’t mean the Bruins need to stand pat. To be completely honest, I’m sick of GM Peter Chiarelli continue to say he’s still evaluating etc. It’s time to do something. Stop being a chicken shit and pull the trigger. I’m not saying make a move to make one, but for cripe sake, do something to put a spark under this dastardly-looking hockey team.
Many people are calling out for Claude Julien to be fired. Sorry folks, aint happenin’. Nor should it. Julien proved last year that he’s worth every penny they’ve paid him and he will make this team a contender. Chiarelli needs to do his part and provide a roster with some talent and passion. Last year, it looked as though we had it, this year, not so much. Julien didn’t win the Coach of the Year award for nothing last year. So let’s stop with the nonsense that he needs to be axed.
Players on the roster that have disappointed are as follows: Blake Wheeler, Marco Sturm, Matt Hunwick, Dennis Wideman, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and Michael Ryder. I’m willing to see any of these guys go except Krejci. Unfortunately Chara and Sturm have no-trade clauses so it wouldn’t be that easy.
There now I feel better. Regardless of any trade, I think tonight’s Montreal game will be the turnaround the Bruins need. A big rivalry and tons of bad blood between these two squads should be just what the doctor ordered to get this hockey team out from underneath the avalanche that’s rapidly ripping them away from a playoff stop.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins + TD Garden + sold-out raucous crowd = slump buster. Let’s see it. You heard it here first.
Anybody who follows hockey or even the Bruins knows that the trade deadline is looming and if the Bruins want to make the playoffs something will need to happen.
Now, when I say something needs to happen, that doesn’t mean go out and send two draft picks, two prospects and a roster player to Atlanta to have Ilya Kovalchuk play for your team for two months. I’m all set with that notion. No matter what this team does this year, they are not winning the Stanley Cup. There is just not enough passion in the locker room. So, bringing the almighty Ilya Kovalchuk to the team will be a waste, even if he is one of the most dynamic scorer’s in the league.
Okay, so now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, that doesn’t mean the Bruins need to stand pat. To be completely honest, I’m sick of GM Peter Chiarelli continue to say he’s still evaluating etc. It’s time to do something. Stop being a chicken shit and pull the trigger. I’m not saying make a move to make one, but for cripe sake, do something to put a spark under this dastardly-looking hockey team.
Many people are calling out for Claude Julien to be fired. Sorry folks, aint happenin’. Nor should it. Julien proved last year that he’s worth every penny they’ve paid him and he will make this team a contender. Chiarelli needs to do his part and provide a roster with some talent and passion. Last year, it looked as though we had it, this year, not so much. Julien didn’t win the Coach of the Year award for nothing last year. So let’s stop with the nonsense that he needs to be axed.
Players on the roster that have disappointed are as follows: Blake Wheeler, Marco Sturm, Matt Hunwick, Dennis Wideman, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and Michael Ryder. I’m willing to see any of these guys go except Krejci. Unfortunately Chara and Sturm have no-trade clauses so it wouldn’t be that easy.
There now I feel better. Regardless of any trade, I think tonight’s Montreal game will be the turnaround the Bruins need. A big rivalry and tons of bad blood between these two squads should be just what the doctor ordered to get this hockey team out from underneath the avalanche that’s rapidly ripping them away from a playoff stop.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins + TD Garden + sold-out raucous crowd = slump buster. Let’s see it. You heard it here first.
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