The Wingman Chronicles

No, this isn’t about another Geek hockey game. Although the outcome was similar.

I had the opportunity to spend a few days in San Antonio last week, and had a quick run around the downtown area. It is a very nice and walkable area, with pleasant weather, at least in May.

Although I was in San Antonio for a work-related conference, I did have a little time to get out and walk around.

A few of the highlights:

• The Alamo – very close (a three minute walk) from the main downtown hotel cluster (shown below); and surprisingly small!
• The Riverwalk – A set of pathways following the canals of San Antonio, decorated with cafes, restaurants, pubs, and other interesting ways to spend your time; water taxis and tours can move you around quite nicely;
• Excellent restaurants – I can personally recommend “The Fig Tree”. Nice outdoor terraced patio (which was too windy when I was there), and excellent food;

And, of course, being in y’all Texas and all, we did spend one evening at Cowboy’s Roadhouse – where the festivities included a mechanical bull, line-dancing, and a real-live bull-riding competition. When in Rome, as they say….

We are heading towards the umpteenth annual Old Geek Training Camp. For those who keep score, we have lots of information about last year’s camp.

For those who want to really be prepared, have a look at the training camp roundup.

The Geeks had a good season this year (arguably the best start in many years), with a predictable collapse during the playoffs. “The more things change”, as they say.

A reminder – training camp is scheduled for May 23rd through May 25th, so you had better start your dry-land training now!! We are convening in the usual location – Collingwood, with two of the local golf courses being subjected to our dedicated practice.

It is clear that relative rookie Dave Maclachan has learned a fair bit this year, managing to collect five points in a single game during the run-up to the playoffs. Even more remarkable than this, is the fact that the scoresheet documenting the five point game is (mostly) untouched. Dave asked specifically for a framed gamesheet, and here it is.

One thing that Dave seems to have missed is that the Geeks lost 6-5. He also had a penalty – but no fight – so missed out on the proverbial Gordie Howe hat-trick.

By the way, I’m having a little trouble finding the Leafs on TV….

The twenty-first season of Geek Hockey came to a close a couple of weeks ago, with a 4-0 Win that didn’t matter in the least.

The Geeks managed to lose their first game of the playoffs, and given the bizarre nature of the three-team play-down, the Geeks found themselves in a situation where it didn’t matter what they did in this game. Since the Geeks had a bucketload of penalty minutes this year, their goose was cooked – penalty minutes were the first tie-breaker.

So, as is usually the case, the Geeks played stellar hockey when it didn’t matter a damn bit.

The game had some interesting sub-plots. Croteau decided to put on a bit of show with some Montreal Canadien-style razzle-dazzle (which, as I write, the Habs could use a bit of – down 4-3 at the end of the second in game five – UPDATE – they are toast – maybe next year).

The Geeks had the special teams working this night as well, scoring shorthanded, and on the power play. On top of this, the Geeks were relentless in their forechecking, their historical strength.  Notice I didn’t mention backchecking in that sentence.

The rookies clearly still need some seasoning – Ryan Hoy blocked a shot, with a four-nothing lead, and with under two minutes to go, when nothing mattered. Well, someday he’ll learn. Higgins even played the puck – causing some nausea among his teammates, but he managed to do it successfully nonetheless.

Steve Macleod had a bit of attitude this game, earning himself two penalties. But he was cool as a cucumber while a wild-eyed Marchand yelled at him to “Just shoot it back in!!” while Steve calmly waited for some laggard (probably Butch) to clear the zone.

As is often the case, the post-game activity was as interesting as the in-game play. Don Higgins was quick to note that he is now ahead of such veterans as Tom Finan and Scott Wilke (of ‘The Line’) in lifetime points.

There are some clear contenders for a spot on the Gut Line as well. Although gross weight (tonnage) has been the usual measure, we now have Croteau in hot pursuit based on Molson Export consumption (which can also help in the gross weight department), and Erik Parnoja trying out based on net worth.  We’ll keep you up to date on developments on the former first line.

One final concern. Woolley now seems to have a WHOLE lot of spare time on his hands due to a, uh, reorg at his former place of employment.  This could be good (Woolley spends a lot of time getting back into shape) or bad (Woolley spends a whole lot of time trying to micromanage the Geeks).  The jury remains out….