Boys;

 

The PFHC just got back from an outstanding Firefighter Hockey Tournament in Delta, B.C.  Teams from all over the lower mainland were there representing their depts.  We came representing Portland and area and believe me when I say, we represented well.  All the other teams we met and played against were very impressed with our club, committment, passion, and even skills.  I want to thank all you guys from PFHC that went up there to play.  You all were passionate about our great game of hockey and that was very evident out on the ice.  OK some of you were passionate about more than just hockey, ('Shintoss'), but amongst the other few passions, or obsessions, we all made hockey our number one priority up there.  We skated hard every game, fought for that puck, and with a bunch of help from our brick wall goalie, Tom, we stayed in every game we played.  We went 1 win, 2 losses, and 1 tie but each one of those games were so close it could have easily been 4 wins.  I do have one question for you boys,  "what do you want from Canada this trip?"  The answer all across the board is a resounding "to play hockey".  I know that's true from all of you. 

So amongst the Casinos, Kramer dealers, beer, irish car bombs, watching Griffin get all droopy eyed at the Paddlewheeler, getting cut off at the bar, all male hot tubbing, or just being amazed and frankly quite concerned over Ferguson's cankles we set out to play some hockey and that's exactly what we did.  Good hockey Too. 

 

Our first game was close but we managed to pull off a 2-1 win in the dieing minutes of the game.  #2 started off rough with New West scoring on their first rush but we regained our composure and answered back and forth, battling to a 3-3 tie.  #3 against Surrey was somewhat of a battle as well.  We found ourselves in the familiar setting of playing 'catch up hockey' and falling a bit short, losing 5-4.  One thing we did was play way too much catch up hockey.  We were constantly fighting to tie the game and were never able to hold a comfortable lead.  Maybe that was because we didn't have a very huge fan presence there to cheer us to victory.  Imagine if everyone Labuda left tickets for at 'will call' showed up........we would have sold the place out.  Too bad only our Serbian friend Mila was the only one to take that bait.  Next time we'll have tickets in hand to sell or gi ve away on the street. 

 

So let's give out some awards shall we:

 

-Most comical off ice performance with a guaranteed laugh anywhere you would go with him: Mr. Turn the heat up in our room Labuda.

-Most comical on ice performance with a guaranteed laugh everytime he was on the ice: Griffin (not really everytime Griff, I just can't stop chuckling about you crawling across the blue line trying to get onside.  Classic.

-Most likely to get CHF, or throw a clot in his leg........  Kevin Cankles Ferguson.

-Winner for trying to barge into the bathroom while another complete male stranger is trying to take a peaceful dump.  Mr. Can't you F----n read illiterate self proclaimed bronze boy but now he'll be name Tubby Mic Tubbersome, Weaver.

-winner of the best nickname given from a ref during a game.  Pete (that #91's a big heaffer) Valentino.

-Award for most successfully stacking our opponents team so we can play to a tie and barely do that - Mikey (thanks for the bombs) Hughes.

-Award for the Man that would most likely not show up to the tourney but then totally proved us wrong and made us all eat our words, Casey Porn stash Taylor.

-Award for most organized hockey bag, and first time to take a shower with the team..........Klaus   

-Award for the man most likely to pop a blood vessel while eating HON's chinese food with way too much hot sauce all the while grossing everyone out with his gout eye......Monte

-Award for the player who you are never quite sure if he's drunk or not at any given moment but as soon as you hear him start talking in sentences of multiple octives and slurring every word together, your still not positive but you'll go ahead and assume it's the beers.......Tommy

-The melt / break your heart award goes to Ryan.  He can give you the "I hate you, and you are a horrible hockey player, why can't you catch that pass" look on the ice but then later that night he can batt those same blue eyes at you and melt the very heart he just broke. 

- The award for the most PFHC merchandise on at any given moment is Tom.  You could always bet that he would have his faithful Portland Fire toque and hoodie on everywhere he went.  What a faithful PFHC fan and goalie. 

-Award for most sensitive, consoling, and trying to capitalize on other fireman's rude and obnoxious behaviour........Walker. 

 

But in all seriousness, boys, Player of the Games were:  Weaver, Tom, Griffin, and Ryan.  Even though we all played outstanding these four deserve the recognition for their hard work on the ice and realization of personal sacrifice to do what's best for the team.  That means you Griffin.  thanks for being so cooperative and understanding about your ice time.  It's was evident that you cared more about the team than your own personal ice time. 

Now for the Player of the Tournament:

For the first time in recorded PFHC history we have two winners, they are Goalie Tom and Ryan G.  You both kept us in the games with your great saves and playmaking.  Tom, when your in net the score stays low and Ryan when your on the ice the score for us goes up.  So thanks guys for your contributions out there to make us look good on the ice.  Leave it to Walker and Labuda to continue to make us look good off the ice.  But you too concentrate on our on ice image. 

 

I could go on but I'm tired and sick of sitting here at the computer.  Thanks again for a great time and be watching for our next event coming soon.

 

Cheers