Hockey Gods Say Hooooooo

Gidel making good use of his $500 Umbrella 

The moths and misquotes began to swarm feverishly on a hot and humid night at the Gardens.  Memories of previous summer nights, where the visibility was near impossible to play since these insects hovered a cloud of aggravation.  A few rain drops began to fall and the mega-sized moths starting to hum violently as they knew what was coming from the Hockey Gods above. 

Before the game, negotiations with the mayor's office of a decision to officially open up the Atco Rink July 6 were ironed out with CDC guidelines to follow.  The Street Hockey Macho Dads again tried to foil the Faithful's plan of returning to the Atco Rink.  Demands of signing and notarizing a hold harmless waiver by each player who participated in any pick-up games was requested to the Waterford Faithful.   As these waivers were labeled as a "Waiver for an Organization that is not an Organization" and was only drafted for the Waterford Faithful to sign. Meanwhile nobody else using the public parks in town would have to sign a waiver.  A few arguments were presented that the Faithful were once again getting targeting unfairly, and the waivers were thrown out and forgotten. 

Waterford's favorite sea captain Peg Leg decided to anchor up to shore with no goalie equipment and ankle busting Mission Skates from the mid 2000s.  With every stride Peg Leg was having difficulties staying upright and was so infuriated with his balance, he tore off his shirt and played bare chest the rest of the evening. 

Quads was perplexed by the actions of Peg Leg throughout the night "Man that Peg Leg guy really has a lot of pent up anger,  He skates and then he rips off his shirt, throws his stick and then complains about his teammates aren't making quick enough line changes.  I liked him a lot better when he was hobbling in the goal crease.  Also he looks like a guy from a movie that was made, you know the movie with a guy that resembles what Peg Leg looks like."   

The bench shrugged their shoulders and AI's only memory was of a Sasquatch bare-chest basketball scene in Along Came Polly the 2004 film staring Ben Stiller.  No link to follow, as I watched this gripping form of cinema with mediocre amusement. 

It was a fast paced series, as the talent was compromised of skill and speed.  The only Speed not on the rink, was Speedy who's Chinatown Bus ticket turned out to be a counterfeit Take out Menu and returned back to the Gardens as a skater.   The fans booed every-time Speedy touched the ball as they were not forgiving by his uninspired goalie performance Saturday Night.

Don was in net, shaking the rust and sweating the gallons of water with every butterfly save.  For a goalie that was out of action for several months, Don looked sharp.  But as the night wore on the fatigue and heat exhaustion were apparent. 

Hawthorne was impressed by the return of Don in net "After the debacle with Speedy on Saturday Night it was great to see a goalie giving his all.  I can't believe Don suited up in this unbearable heat and never complained."

Game 3 in the second series, Don was showing signs of tiredness with every save.  Peg Leg finally getting his wish, the crowd thinned out in the later hours and playing time was plentiful. 

Peg Leg was heard inspiring his favorite teammate "Hawthorne I'm open! Hawthorne send it up! Hawthorne I'm right here buddy!  Hawthorne dangle it baby!  Hawthorne shoot it! Hawthorne I love you man!"

Hawthorne and Peg Leg formed a dynamic duo that was being defended by a sluggish Don who was barely getting up anymore.  A few rain drops sprinkle the rink, a few more.  Hawthorne behind the net trying to find his Peg Leg teammate.  The thumbing of rain continued.  Peg Leg wide open in the slot fired a shot. Stick save by Don.  Hawthorne retrieved the rebound in the corner fed a hungry Peg Leg again. Blocker save by Don.

Sounds of the misquotes were silent and the Hockey Gods unleashed the pitch black skies.  The rink flooded with intensified rain, Hawthorne once again fed a wide open Peg Leg who skated all alone on Don.  Peg Leg slipping in the rain, anchored on his wooden limb, fired a slapper right into Pope's Petunia Plants.

The ball was lost, the rain splattered the Faithful, the game was called for the evening. 

That's Game Boys!