Blue Fin’s Bistro Hockey

For the second time in just three games, the Boys in Blue skated against the Bella Italia Jackals.  In their last meeting, it was ringer B.J. Hull who singled handedly handed the Fins the loss.  The Fins begrudgingly planned to avoid this B.J. at all costs…

The Fins started off on the right skate after ‘Mighty’ Matt Pusateri dumped the puck in the offensive zone.  The offensive line of Mike ‘Hassel’ Hofmeister, Bill Rusin, and Dave ‘Godfather’ Berent skated in for the agressive forecheck.  Hofmeister stole the dump pass, settled it, and slid it over to Berent.  Berent caught the pin-point pass and buried it in the back of the net.  The Fins were up 1-0.  The Jackals tied the game just over 4 minutes later.  (1-1) 

Skating to win, the Fins kept up their attack in the first period.  Patrick ‘What’s with the Grey Socks’ Hudson pinched in from defense to keep the puck onside.  With a subtle shoulder fake, he eluded a Jackal defender and sniped in a wrist shot from center ice.  The Fins regained the lead (2-1).

After having a whale of a time at their last meeting, the Jackals used Jonah K. as their new weapon.  With less than 2 minutes in the 1st period, he put in his 1st goal of the night to tie the game.  (2-2)

B.J. was the lone scorer in the second to give the Jackals the first lead of the game (3-2).   The Fins skated well in the 2nd, and watched ‘The Hardest Working Man in Hockey’ show everyone how to kill a penalty:  Captain Mike ‘Blue Collar’ McGee skated the length of the ice in rapid succession to keep the pressure on during a key penalty kill.

In the 3rd period, Mike Meehan drew a Jackals roughing penalty to give the Fins the man advantage, but they could not capitalize.  Even with the concerted efforts of dedicated fans Jake ‘The Snake’ and Riley ‘The Speedster’, the Fins couldn’t get enough biscuits into the Jackal basket.

Jonah arked in another goal for the Jackals to increase their lead to 2 goals.  Hofmeister scrapped with the biggest Jackal he could find, hoping to draw another penalty.  The best he could do was to incite the burly lumux to an offsetting roughing penalty.

Completing his hat trick, Jonah whaled in a shot over Joe ‘More than a Bit Crazy’ Durant’s shoulder to ice the game.

The Fins drop another close game to the ever-feisty Jackals.  The only disappointment was that they know how close they are to really making it click. 

Next up for the Fins are the former B-League Vincents in what is expected to be a tough game.  Puck drop is Wednesday night, 8:15 pm.

http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-leagues-schedule.html?leagueid=351&seasonid=2246

The Blue Fins and Competition Bulldogs clashed Wednesday night in an evenly matched league contest.

With only 2 lines, the Fins relied on short shifts and quick changes. 

Joe ‘More Than A Little Crazy’ Durant was the dog warden, and kept the Bulldogs at bay.  He started off the game with a snap glove save and a surprised look.  When asked about the shocked look on his face, Durant grinned and said ‘It’s Strategy.’

Despite Durant’s efforts, the Bulldogs were able to score a few lucky goals.  The second was a result of a breakdown as Matt ‘Coach’ Pusateri jumped in from Defense - while Bill ‘Tagalong’ Rusin followed him in, instead of dropping back.  The result was an odd-man rush and the Bulldogs were up 2-0.

The Bluefins, like Salmon returning to their birthplace, began to fight back.  Chris ‘Chicago’ Bily skated in to the left, got the ‘Dogs goalie to slide right, and slid it in 5-hole.  At the end of 2 periods, the Fins were down 2-1.

Although the Fins were on the comeback - like any spawning fish, they had more than a raging river to deal with.  The Referees - although wearing their normal uniforms, apparently had their own score to settle with the ex-Comstock skaters.  The Bluefins visited the ‘bin way too often, and of course, were not quite so guilty as the score sheet indicated. 

In the 3rd, the Bulldogs scored their 3rd goal - but once again the Fins swam back.  Mike ‘RYHA’ Meehan charged hard to the net, made his trademark cut, and scored on the netminder’s ‘popular’ five-hole. 

Leading the team by example - Mike ‘Bad-Boy’ McGee played hard on defense - and was rewarded with a questionable roughing penalty.  Complimenting McGee’s efforts on offense - Pat ‘Hanes his Way’ Hudson visited the box twice after the Bulldogs wisely incited him into a scuffle. 

The Bulldogs scored a final empty netter to seal the victory 4-2.  Overall it was a very even game and well played by both sides. 

Next up for the BlueFins are the Jackals - Sunday night (9/30) at 7:45.

The Jackel’s handed the Blue Fin’s their first loss, largely in part to the Jackel’s one man offense, number 9 BJ Hull. But it was Chris “SouthSide” Biley who struck first in the game putting Blue Fin’s up 1-0. BJ soon tied it up to end the first period at 1-1. But the Blue Fin offensive machine really cranked it up in the second period. Dave”That’s Mr. Blue Fin to you” Berent fed Matt Pusateri at the point to put the Fin’s up 2-1. The Jackel’s Martin Roxo answered back with help once again from BJ Hull. But Wes “no nickname yet” Gyure wheeled and dealed for an unassited goal, which once again gave the Fin’s the lead. Shortly thereafter, Mike “whatya mean I’m the Captain” McGee feeds Patrick “email sucks” Hudson, who burried it in the net. It was reported that Jackel’s goalie said “I never saw it coming” But the Blue Fin’s just couldn’t hold onto their 4-2 lead. BJ Hull late in the second made it 4-3 to end the second. Third period cursed the Blue Fin’s with long shifts and bad passes. BJ Hull picked up his 3rd goal, then shoots another that supposedly went off the skate of Jackel’s Greg Hodges. BJ then put his 4th goal in, which was disallowed due to the leagues 3 goal rule. All in all the Blue Fin’s played a good game, but didn’t have the speed and consistency they showed in the first game. Final score Blue Fin’s 4, BJ Hull 5.

Vincent’s Raleigh, a B division team has dropped to the C1 division after a 12-5 loss to B division team the Back Nine Pub. Aside from letting B players drop down, which was an issue addressed in this years captain’s meeting, it remains to be seen how a team with 6 players(according to 9/19/07 PointStreak Roster) will be allowed to play after League Commissioner Doug Scott was so adamant about a minimum 14 player team(Also raised during the captains meeting). According to the Captains meeting on 9/12/07 where Doug Scott stated, previous summer league division status will determine what division your allowed to play in. This rule was put into effect to keep players from a higher league playing in a lower league and dominating players with a lower skillset. Point Streak confirms http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-team-roster.html?teamid=84214) all of the Vincent’s Raleigh players were B Division players in the summer 2007 league. We’ll have to wait and see once roster’s are finalized whether or not the rules have changed or whether the almighty dollar has won out. Additionally the C1 team the Badgers may be on the bubble with only 13 players as well.

To be sure it be an interesting time.( Sept 19th is International Talk like a Pirate Day http://www.talklikeapirate.com )

Updated: Doug Scott says:
“The rosters changes can be made up to the start of the 4th game. We want all teams to have 14 players on their rosters, but this is not a rule. The main rule is that we will not except subs unless they are on your roster, so a player must be on your roster to play no exceptions. Vincents lost 4 or 5 players and felt they could play in the B-League.”

In a curious Twisst of events, the Blue Fins Bistro Hockey team played their first game against the veteran Chiefs. While the Blue Fins had never played together as a team, the Chiefs are a hockey fraternity of sorts - many years of experience on this squad with multiple teams playing at various ice houses throughout the area.

When asked about their chances for the season, Forward Mike ‘Hassel’ Hofmeister quipped “This team is not going to lead the league in goals. We’re going to have to work hard. When we win - it’s going to be a low scoring game like 2-1, 3-2, etc. Our keeper has got big shoes to fill.”

The Blue Fins Offense heeded the Hofmeister’s words: They came out with a lot of energy - taking short shifts and skating hard - almost to the point of chaos.

On Defense, the foursome of Pusateri, Ross, Meehan, and Fahey back-checked incessantly and tried to beat back the waves of Chief attacks like Palm trees against a Tsunami. Mike Meehan, formerly a Chief, led the defense with his strong skating - bringing the puck up the ice and providing extra jump for the offense.

Despite the solid defensive effort, the Chiefs were able to break through and get some offense going. Like waiters with hand-grinders, the Chiefs peppered Durant with a total of 36 shots. There may not have been a salad nearby, but Durant was the Caesar of the Crease. He stood on his head for this game - and essentially shut down the Chiefs.

At the end of 2 periods, the only mark on the score sheet was a 2-minute tripping call against forward Adam Hoover. All he had to say was ‘That call sucks.’

In the 3rd, Hofmeister scored thanks to the hard-charging Pusateri (no, not his wife - she prefers cash). With no relatives present, Hofmeister notched the historic first goal for the Blue Fins.

Leading 1-0, Hofmeister wasn’t finished - he followed up on his first goal as he grabbed the puck at the blue line, skated in untouched, and blasted it by the Chiefs keeper to put the Fins up by 2.

On a rare breakaway, the Chiefs slid in a lucky ‘off-speed’ pitch to cut the lead in half. But the Fins dug deep, and skated hard. Captain Mike McGee punished his skates and fore checked hard - keeping the puck in the Chief’s end.

Meanwhile on defense, Mark ‘Herbie’ Ross was nearly able to slide on his belly and broke up several Chief attacks.

With time waning in the game, the Chiefs pulled the goalie - but Pat ‘Blue Pants’ Hudson capped the game with an empty netter. The Blue Fins win 3-1 .

It was a victory both on and off the ice and the Fins firmly cemented themselves as a more than just well dressed skaters. They are contenders.

Their next game is Wednesday - 9/19 - at 9:15pm - against the Jackals.

http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-division-standings.html?divisionid=15273

Today, the Blue Fin’s take the ice for the first time. 

 For some, it will be more than just a battle of sticks and pucks:

 Joe Durant, Net Minder - Joe’s battle against single cell analglaucoma has plagued him throughout his hockey career.  Diagnosed early in his life, Joe has never been able to ’see his a**’ playing like a real goalie.

Matt Pusateri, Master Mind - Matt’s expertise in the IT field has led to a life of embarrasments and weak explanations.  From his first hack of Paris Hilton’s cell phone to the recent rotovirus computer worm, Matt’s legal troubles have kept him out of professional hockey.  Sure, he may be good enough, but he can’t stop hacking.

Mike ‘Hassel-Hofmeister’  - As a young lad out of Big Salmon Lake, somewhere in Northern Canada - he was a hockey prospect like no other.  The first 12-year old ever offered an NHL contract - Mike unfortunately was lured into the seedy world of sports gear modelling.  His 20-year absence from hockey is smattered with cover shots and center folds, and few goals.

These are just a few stories of the Hockey Warriors fondly known as the Blue Fin’s. 

For some, it is just a battle of sticks and pucks.  For others, it is something more.

The Blue Fin’s Bistro (http://www.thebluefinbistro.com) is the proud sponsor of the The Blue Fin’s Bistro Team. The team plays in the C1 division at the Factory Ice House in Wake Forest, NC.