Men, Women, Ladies, Gents, Distinguished guests, Walker, and our trader Kevin;

 

Wow, that was some pretty good hockey the last couple of days.  I don't know if it was all the hipe, the pre game motivational emails, red bulls, ticket sales, or seeing me in the locker room but whatever it was it worked.  We dominated those guys from Seattle like they were 10 year old boys .  They may have came down here with big plans to 'outplay', 'outwit', and 'outlast' but little did they know this wasn't Survivor and what was more unknown to them was how badly we had planned to destroy, derail, and defunk them.  All for a good cause of course. 

 

I knew Friday night's game would be good as soon as I stepped on the ice.  We went out as a team, which hasn't happened......ever, and played as a team as well.  Line changes were quick, shifts were hard, and we played both ends of the ice.  It also helped that Jim played amazing between the pipes. 

Yea it was standing room only on the bench and as Cunningham put it 'there were more players than fans' but we dealt with that very well and it made for great team morale.  I'm glad we had all the players we did for both games for a couple of reason.  One, it brought us all together as a team which we hadn't had in a while, and Two, It was nice not getting any death threats, nasty grams, or burning bags of poo on my front steps. 

I'll run through the stats for Friday's game:

Now the scoresheet never lies and it says I got the first two goals.  So I guess we'll go with that.  Unless possibly Little willy got one of those.  Anyways, the Ryan, Will, and Monte line scored the first two.  Third goal was The Chad from Weaver, Fourth goal was Ryan from Willy and Me, The Walker from The Chad, Volly from Ryan and Me, and Ryan from L.W. 

Penalties:

Klaus - Tripping

Volly - Roughing

34 ? - Roughing

 

Final score 7-2 with the Player of the game: Jim Pulito in Net.

 

Saturday was much the same.  Dominate, Dominate, Dominate.  

Actually, let's take it back a bit further than game time.  I got up, got my pre game kiss from my lovely bride, ate my pre game breakfast, did some pregame hanging out and playing with my son Ben, got my pregame high five, and headed off to the game.  Ahh, it brought back vivid memories of playing for the Hawks at the Coliseum..... the smell of the boni, the cheering fans, the light haze of fog on the ice, looking up at the scoreboard to see Portland Fire in big lights.  It all came together. 

And I couldn't have done it without some key helpers.  Like Sweet Stephanie and Sweet Kari to sell tickets, and shirts, Beth and Jim Pulito to help with advertising, programs, and much more, the score keeper guy named Greg, Tim Birr on the mike (you did outstanding), Beth at ice level taking pictures, and of course Ace and Gary, the duo taking pics of us in the locker room and doing a story on Cornelius and Volly.    I think they really took a likeing to Volly's smooth, soft, and totally undefined chest and abs.  That will make a great cover shoot. 

I also can't forget the three Rodeo Princesses and Queens and Mackenzie who sang the anthems so beautifully.  Can you believe she learned the Canadian anthem in just a couple of days.  That's got honourary Canadian written all over it.  Very impressive.

It must have been a breathtaking sight to see us all lined up on the blue line, facing the flags and paying tribute to our freedom and country.  What a chilling experience it was.  Something to tuck away in the memory bank and when your feeling a bit blue pull that memory out and let it cheer you up and fill you with pride. 

And thanks to Loren and Jason.  Two Burn patient kids who have survived through extreme pain and recovering of horrible burns.  They were there to cheer us on and to drop the first puck.  How touching was that eh. 

 

Most of all, thanks to all you guys that played, donated to the fundraiser, and made the game a reality.  You all made me so very proud.  If you could see me right now you would see one bumbling, crying, sobbing fool........nothing on but my bananna hammock of course, but crying non the less.  Once again, like a proud dad I looked around the locker room, on the bench, and on the ice at all you guys and saw my family all around me.  We had the prodigal son (Buda), the slightly nerdy but loveable Kanoff, The family member that at one time got into some rage but is now back on track (Chad), The little brother we have to buy licorice for at 7-11 (Willy), the wise, all knowing one (Tom O), The grumpy but in a good way family member (Epps),  The loveable drunk (Tommy),  , The one you hate to let down (Ryan), the family member that in our minds will always be a volly (Volly), The cute little guy (McLaren) and the family traitor (Kevin).   I think that pretty well covers any and all family gatherings. 

 

But in all seriousness, I look at you guys and see my brothers.  We are brothers in the fire service and on the ice and I'm truly proud to call you that. 

How exhilerating was it to get the boys out on the ice, score goals, hear our names over the big speaker, get penalties, again hear our names over the big speaker, play a great game, no, not just a great game, the best game on earth, and all for a very worthy cause with the Burn Center.  From start to finish it was a positive, and memorable event that I was glad to be a part of. 

 

I Look forward to many more PFHC hockey events and to seeing all of you again soon.  I hope you do too. 

 

and by the way, we won the second game 10-5 with some great goals, saves, hits (Epps on Seattle #15), and play making.  And Oh did it feel good to beat KFerg on the ice. 

 

Player of the game was Little Willy.  Great playing, fast skating, and nice goals.    

 

I close with Helpful Hockey Hint #49:  which i just learned on saturday's game.

 

-When warned by the ref to shut your mouth or your going to the box, just believe him, cause man, he's serious.      

 

Cheers.