Old Geeks Hockey Squad Going to the Finals
And no, this is not an April Fool’s joke.
The Geeks have pulled together two character wins (when you’re this old, the playoffs are short), and have earned themselves a bye before the finals.
For those students of history among you, the Geeks have won the Consolation championships twice – 1989-1990, and 1999-2000 – and the “Real Deal: championships twice – 1995-1996 and 1997-1998. We are now in season 22 of the franchise.
Here is a team photo after the 1995-1996 championship.
In game 1, the Geeks managed a 4-2 victory in a physical affair. Star of the game was clearly Alex the goalie, who has brought his play to another level for the playoffs. Alex held the Geeks in early and often, and supprted the often used penalty-killing special team. Alex has a habit of shouting in foreign languages while making spectacular saves (“Bakczehk! bakczehk yu lasee baztaaards!“). Whatever works for you Alex.
Scoring was distributed, with Woolley continuing his charge for the forty point glass ceiling – not seen since the 1992-1993 season when both Kevin Craine and Brian Vienneau (who, along with Ken Hoy, comprised ‘The Line’) both made it to 41 points. Hoy reached a career high of 32 that same year. This was the only time in Geek history we have even approached this marker. Woolley has a chance to beat this if he can bring his attendance up.
However, he skipped the second game with an attack of the butterflys (like all prima donnas, he is somewhat fragile), and along with several other absences, the Geeks were left with a short bench to tackle the first place SPS Stars.
In a grim, focussed affair, Alex the goalie again kept the Geeks in the game through a scoreless first period. John Croteau of the Geeks scored first, early in the second frame. The Geeks then gave up their first goal just at the end of a penalty kill midway through the second period. The Stars added another tally with just over two minutes left in the period, and we would enter the third down 2-1.
The Geeks roared out in the third period, and tied the score with a solo effort from Dave Maclachlan, and Ken Hoy of the “gout line” put the Geeks in front again with a Sydney Crosby like shot at the 6:29 mark.
As one would expect, the Geeks couldn’t protect the lead for six and a half minutes, and allowed the Stars to tie the game at 3, with four minutes and change on the clock. Nothing was decided during the remaining regulation time, resulting in a four on four overtime period. The Geeks spent the last minute and a half in penalty kill mode, and managed to survive.
On to the back to back shootout. The first five shooters from each team went, with two goals from each team (Krumenacher and Maclachlan for the Geeks). Then it went to sudden death – and in the tenth round, Alex the goalie slammed the door on the Stars, and Clint Krumenacher, in his second go around (everybody on the team shot at least once) scored to finish the Stars.
Well, at least for this game. After the bye week, the Geeks will play either the SPS Stars – or Arnie’s Army – both of whom we have seen in the playoffs. No doubt the final game will be a festive on, as we have all seen a lot of each other.
As to Woolley -well, nobody knows if he going to show up or not. Hopefully his tummy tuck, or butterflys, or high colonic will have worked itself out by then.
Stay tuned.