Blue Fin’s Bistro Hockey

It has been said - that a goal is a goal, and a win is a win, no matter how pretty……..or not.

The Blue Fins Bistro Hockey team played their toughest competition so far - the Weevils.  Player to player, the Fins are, or should be, better than the Weevils.  But - the Fins played poorly.  This game was practically 60 full minutes of bad passing and bad shots by the Blue Fins. 

The exception to this rule was Fins keeper “Daring” E.J. Darisse.  After one soft goal, E.J. melted down shot after shot from the Weevils. 

The Weevils jumped out to a 2-0 lead which held for most of the first period.  It took over 19 minutes, but John “I’m In” Probasco finally scored thanks to a good pass from Adam Hoover (or whoever else passed it - I certainly can’t remember).  This halved the Weevils lead, and after the first period the score was 2-1. 

For most of the next two periods, the ugliness continued - and the game got more physical.  The Weevils may as well have had a pack of dogs - as they were on a fox hunt.  Their target was Probasco.  Verbally and physically, they were successful in baiting him into several discretions which took him off the ice and into the bin. 

Captain Mike McGee intervened and tried to corral Probasco and the Fins.  Although they weatered the storm of penalties, they still could not generate the offense needed to tie the score. 

Then, with time waning in the 3rd period - the Fins had less than 2 minutes to light the lamp.  Taking the face-off in their own zone, Rusin won the drop and sent the puck to Dave ‘Push the Grouper’ Berent.  Berent held the puck, giving Probasco time to break up the ice.  Berent rifled a perfect pass up the center to Probasco.  Probasco out raced the Weevils and faked the goalie with two moves, and a quick flip of the puck. 

The Fins tied the game and pushed the ever exciting conclusion to a shootout. 

Steve ‘Loco’ Tsotsoros was first to go.  He skated directly up the center, got the goalie sliding to his right, and then scored five-hole.  Probasco was second, and despite a post-shot collision, he scored to tally his third goal for the game.

On the other side of the shootout, ‘Daring’ E.J. Darisse shut down the Weevils.  After a stellar performance in regulation, he made the shootout look easy and stopped both Weevils attempts. 

With their 3rd win in a row, the UNDEFEATED Blue Fins lead the league.  Their next game is Monday, June 9 at 8:30 pm against Labatt’s. 

Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t singing when Chris Bily came home against his former team.  Excluding their ex-teammate, there weren’t many ‘plus-es’ about Team Factory.  This team is being coached and managed by hockey director E.J. Stern – who is ‘The Man’ that has done nothing but make life difficult for the Blue Fins.  Team Factory’s skaters look liked victims of an explosion at the Good Will – barely two players wore the same jerseys and half of the team wore ‘pennies’.

Captain Mike McGee laid out the game plan – play hard, play smart, and if Team Factory are as bad as they looked – show some respect.  So much for planning……..

Team Factory came out playing the body more than they did the puck.  This reporter’s favorite skater got in a minor shoving match with Team Factory’s feeble enforcer.  This game turned out to be a very physical contest and made the Jackals look like nice guys.

Adam Hoover and Steve “Not-so” Tsotsoros got things going for the Fins when Tsotsoros made a perfect pass that Hoover easily put past the goalie. 

Maybe it was Team Factory’s short temper, or possibly E.J. Stern’s coaching - but after Jon Probasco scored on a blistering slap shot – they tried to muscle him down with ‘incidental hits’.  Probasco’s answer was a second goal that put the Blue Fins up 3-0.  

Could this report ignore the Blue Fins sloppy play and turn into an unfounded ego-boost?  We’ll let you decide….

The first offensive line was anchored by Captain Mike McGee, who moved up from offense.  McGee forechecked well and the newly-engaged Dave ‘Godfather’ Berent peppered the goalie with shots.  

Defensively, Matt ‘Wheels’ Pusateri scored a power-play goal when he broke through Team Factory’s defense and fooled the goalie out of his pads.  Instead of sliding in the easy shot, he took his over-priced stick, flipped it over, and ‘stick-balled’ the puck into the net.  (Alas, it was no backhander though.)

The second offensive line was buzzing and bookended the Blue Fins scoring.  Keith ‘Blue Collar’ Locker assisted Steve Tsotsoros who scored the final goal of the night.  

Oh yeah, there was another E.J. at the rink Monday night.  E.J. “Easy E” Darisse made history for the Blue Fins.  His 0.00 goals-against and 100% save percentage gave E.J. the very first shut out in Blue Fins Hockey history.  

The Blue Fins maintain first place and are sitting at 2-0.  The rubber hits the road when they next play Carolina Ale House.

It’s only been a few weeks, but a long road for the Blue Fin’s that landed them in the C2 league.  Finally, the Blue Fins returned to the ice - a little slower, a little heavier - but never more ready.

Several new skaters joined the Blue Fin’s, and if I knew all of their last names, I could keep writing like some 2nd-rate sports reporter.  Steve ‘Not McGee’ - a pile of speed and skill who is also Mike McGee’s brother in-law; Joe “More is More” Moreschi - a gritty defender formerly of Comstock Homes, and Keith “Blue Collar” ‘Something’ - a hard working forward brought in by Mike Hofmeister.

Before the game even started, the Fins were counting chickens and expecting an easy win.  (Please note, no chickens were harmed in the filming of this game.  Choked a little, sure - but nothing serious.)  After the game started, the Nailers showed that it was going to be a competitive game, and the Blue Fins may have spoken too early. 

On his very first shift - “Blue Collar” Keith chipped in his first goal as a Blue Fin.  Just like his name, this guy is all about hard work.  Not to be out done (and actually not in this order) but the other new Fins contributed as well - Steve ‘Not McGee’ scored thanks to some serious puck handling and skating; and Joe ‘More is More’ Moreschi careened a shot off a hapless defender’s skate that he is probably still ‘kicking’ himself about.

The game did get close as the Nailers inched to within two goals early in the first period.  But any line led by Captain Mike McGee is going to be tough.  McGee is more about his play on the ice, than his words of wisdom.  He played hard on defense - keeping the puck out of his zone with good back checking and smart passing.  Also on defense, Matt ‘Wheels’ Pusateri displayed at least one extra gear.  His speed got him a nice goal in the 2nd period when he backhanded a low slider through the five hole.

The Blue Fins best defender all game - was their net minder ‘Easy E’ E.J. Darisse.  E.J. outplayed the Nailers goalie, and was impossible for the Nailers shooters to ‘pin down’. 

With or without their unbeatable defense, the Blue Fin’s had plenty of scoring this game.  Adam Hoover got a well deserved goal from the left side after several hard shots.  This reporter’s favorite center also scored two goals on assists from Mike Hofmeister and Dave “Push the Grouper” Berent. 

His first goal was nice, but the play of the game was when Jon ‘State’ Probasco kept the puck onsides and made a pass from his knees to Berent.  Berent snagged the puck and fired it to Mike ‘The Body’ Hofmeister.  Hof caught it, did a quick spin, and fired it past the Nailer’s goalie for his second goal of the night.

The Blue Fins piled it on and won by a score of 10-4.  Their next game is against ‘Team Factory’ - Monday night at 8:30pm.  This is predicted to be an ‘interesting’ game as they meet one of their former players for the first time………

The Blue Fins played their last game of the season…..they think.  After losing their first play-off game, the Fins were matched up against the undefeated and dominating Ziggy’s.  Why they played Ziggy’s - instead of another first-round play-off user - is anybody’s guess.

The Fins played hard in the first period and after 20 minutes were only down 2-0.  Even in the 2nd period, when Ziggy’s started to widen their gap - the Fin’s were playing better than the score indicated.  Easily half of the goals were flukes or broken plays. 

As the game waned on, and the gap widened - the Fins tank emptied.  Slowly, but surely, the game became out of reach. 

Defensively, the foursome of Pusateri, Roan, Probasco, and Hudson tried to baffle Ziggy’s #9 with 30 second short-shifts.   The ’strategery’ floundered a bit for the defense, but was a great example of ‘thinking man’s hockey.’

The offense could not get anything going.  Notable performances were tallied by Adam ‘Spandex’ Hoover and Kenny ‘Scooby Doo’ Glanville.  Hoover played hard every shift and was the hardest working Fin in the pond.  Glanville really shone in the 3rd period.  His best effort came as he and #9 chased the puck into the boards.  Glanville outmuscled him to the puck, chipped it past him, and carried it into Ziggy’s zone. 

Ziggys’ shut out was thwarted by Probasco thanks to a one-on-two attack that ended by sliding the puck in 5-hole. 

With just a few bright spots, the Blue Fins ran out of gas and couldn’t get more than the one goal.  The Fins dropped the last game of the season 7-1.  (or is it the last?) 

No season wrap up yet…..I’d hate to hold up the ‘Dewey Wins!’ newspaper just yet…….soon to come will be a season wrap up and detailed player-by-player review.  Facts will be optional.

The Blue Fins hoped to exact a bit of revenge Wednesday night when they skated against the undefeated Ziggy’s team.

Just prior to the season….Mike Meehan chose to leave the Blue Fins ‘to play with his old team’.  Surprisingly though - the first time they played Ziggys this season - and saw Mike Meehan on the ice, his response was - “Well, you guys aren’t good enough.  That’s why I left.”

Despite the fact that Ziggys dropped to the C league because the competition was too tough in their original league, they did not see the irony of going undefeated….

The Blue Fins started the game with a lot of effort.  Every skater wanted to win, but knew it would take nothing less than hard work.

With a bit of razzle, and a dash of dazzle - Ziggy’s made the first two goals like easy - and soon after, scored a third to jump out to a three goal lead.

But thanks to a great poke check, Mike ‘Hammer’ Hofmeister stole the puck from Ziggy’s star player.  He made a quick pass to Dave ‘Move the Salmon’ Berent who slid an off-speed shot past the goalie.  (3-1)

But the Ziggy’s ringer took offense to Hofmeister’s steal, and proceed to put on a show - skating end-to-end and scoring.  (4-1)

 From there, the Fins lost composure and spent - or wasted - too much time trying to ‘even the score’ with the Ringer and Meehan. 

Not even two break-away goals by Jon ‘Youngblood’ Probasco were enough to keep the game close. 

Star players in the losing effort were Matt ‘Pinky’ Pusateri and Captain Mike McGee on the defensive side; while Wes ‘Restraining Order’ Gyure, Chris ‘CSI’ Biley, and Mike ‘Shaggy’ Horne shone brightly on offense.

The Fins’ next contest is Wednesday, 8:45pm, against Vincent’s of Raleigh.

After last week’s disappointing loss, the Blue Fin’s Bistro hockey team was looking to rebound against Carolina Ale House.  Coming into the game with a superior record, the Blue Fins were favored to win it.

The Blue Fins treated the Ale House like a health inspector with an axe to grind.  Jon ‘Mr. Hockey’ Probasco played defense, with an offensive mindset.  He repeatedly skated the puck out of his zone which he converted into the first two goals for the Fins.

 After Mr. Hockey made it look easy, the rout was on.  Wes ‘Choir Boy’ Gyure chimed in with two opportunistic goals.  The second he scored on a rebound - the initial hard blast by ‘Master Blaster’ Biley was too hot for the goalie. 

The rest of the Blue Fins defense played very agressively - Matt ‘Speed Racer’ Pusateri and Dan ‘Lock Box’ Fahey both repeatedly jumped in on the offensive rush. 

Goals were plentiful - Kenny ‘Scooby Doo’ Glanville, Rich ‘Smooth’ Kessler, and Biley all scored goals of their own.  Earlier this season, the Ale House’s regular goalie sudddenly quit - and the pipes were being manned by one of their skaters.  He was obviously chosen for his sheer size.  Unfortunately for the Ale House, his skills as a goalie were about as good as those of his college carousing days.  [single guy, likes Dungeons & Dragons, lives with his Mom]

The man who led the Blue Fins on this historic night, was Mike ‘The Body’ Hofmeister.  Entering this season, he held the record for goals and points scored for the Blue Fins, but his latest scoring drought had extended past a handful of games. 

Hof returned to his scoring ways by skating hard, lowering his shoulder, and crashing the net.  [It’s all about hard work, boys and girls.]  The first goal was a blistering shot from the left side.  The second time he turned the light on was a power-play goal; the third was a snap pass from Dave ‘Cheese Fries’ Berent that Hof shoveled through the goalie’s pads.

 The Blue Fins doubled up on the Ale House by a score of 10-5.  They didn’t play their best, but they had more than enough and the game was never in doubt. 

 Their next game is against the Bulldogs - Wednesday night at 8:15 pm.

The Blue Fins played the Chiefs Wednesday night.  The Chief concern for the Blue Fins was their ailing goalie Joe Durant, who sat out with the flu.  Ed Hughes, former Comstock net minder, filled in admirably.

The Fins were the first to light the lamp using text-book teamwork.  Kenny ‘Scooby-Doo’ Glanville made a great pass to Chris ‘CSI’ Biley, who blistered a shot on goal.  The Chief’s goalie made the initial stop - but Jon ‘Glory Hole’ Probasco slammed in the rebound. 

Even with good, hard skating in the first period, the Blue Fins own blue line may as well have been the Berlin Wall - the Fins could not seem to clear the puck.  Net minder Ed Hughes made up for his skaters and kept the Chiefs scoreless in the first period.

While the Chiefs were still trying to rebound from his first goal, Probasco found himself in front of the net again with the puck.  He easily put it past the goalie for his second goal, this time unassisted.

Carrying a 2-0 lead, the Chiefs started to play more physical.  This was a plus/minus for the Fins.  On the up side, the Chiefs visited the sin bin three times in the second period.  But the bad news for Fins was that the Chiefs scored just as many times - two of the goals coming on the penalty kill.

At the end of the second period, the Chiefs led by 3-2. 

The Fins held off the Chiefs for most of the third period.  After a strategic time-out by Captain Mike McGee, his team came out ready to skate hard and tie the game.  The Chiefs, however, didn’t get the memo - and poured in two more goals less than a minute apart.

“What we’ve witnessed is the greatest collapse in Blue Fins Team history,”  remarked Mike ‘The Body’ Hofmeister…..

The Blue Fins’ streak ended at two games - losing 5-2.

 Their next game is Wednesday at 9:15pm against Carolina Ale House.

The Blue Fins met the Jackals Wednesday night, in a late-night contest predicted to be a very physical match.

But the Jackals pack was not in full force.  Just short of a forfeit, the Mangy Mutts were forced to go with just 6 skaters.

But even with their foot on the Jackals throat, it wasn’t a walk in the park for the Fins. 

Kenny ‘Scooby Doo’ Glanville was the first to light the lamp.  Skating with Glanville was Jon ‘Glory Hole’ Proabsco and Rich ‘BV’ Kessler.  At the end of the first period, this line led the Fins to a 2-1 lead thanks to a nice goal by Probasco.

Mark ‘All-In’ Ross feathered a great pass to Mike ‘Not Chunks’ Horne who skated in on a break-away.  One nice move and an easy backhander gave the Fins a 2 goal lead.

Defensively, the Fins played strong.  Led by Wayne ‘Newton’ Roan and Captain Mike McGee, they kept Joe ‘Egg Roll’ Durant almost as bored as the Maytag Man. 

When Durant was busy, he played well and posted another quality save percentage. 

After Matt ‘I’m Innoncent’ Pusateri was flagged for tripping, Probasco scored his second goal - shorthanded.  He was able to complete his hat trick following a bit of chaos in front of the Jackals’ net. 

The Fins notched a 5-3 victory - their 2nd in a row.  With this win, the team set several historical records:

Longest Win Streak

Most Points in a Season

Best mid-season record

Most Wins in a season

Highest season ranking

 The Blue Fins carry all of these records into next Wednesday’s game against the Chiefs at 9:45pm.

The Blue Fins played ‘Off in the Showers’ for the second time this season, after losing the first contest in a shoot-out.

The first period was all Fins - and was especially dominated by the Fins offensive line of Jon ‘Crisco’ Probasco, Ken ‘Scooby-Do’ Glanville, and Rich ‘Velvet’ Kessler.  This line repeatedly carried the puck down the ice and left ‘Showers’ gasping for relief.

Led by Probasco, this line turned the light on four times in this period as Probasco, Glanville, and Kessler each scored.  Jumping in on one of the many rushes was ‘Wild, Wild’ Wes Gyure who capitalized on a rebound at the perfect time. 

The Fins easily won the first period and led by a score of 4-0 after 20 minutes.

In the second period, ‘Showers’ stormed back and doused the Fins hope of an easy win.  They cut the lead in half by out-skating and out-working the Fins and scored two goals.

For the Blue Fins, the second period could have been disatrous - were it not for two factors.  First, their defense.  The Fins defense, led by Matt Pusateri, crowded the slot and attacked the ‘Showers’ skaters like a Jay-Walker on D-Block.  Mark ‘Gambler’ Ross chipped in with solid poke-checks, while Captain Mike McGee tore up and down the ice like the guy on the Immodium commercial.

The other factor that not only kept the Fins ‘in’ the game - but ‘gave’ them the game was Joe ‘Clinically Insane’ Durant.  Durant played one his best games.  Not only did he make some lightning quick saves with his glove, he followed the puck through the busiest scrums and repeatedly put his body and pads in front of the puck.  No dispute here - Durant gets the first star.

In the 3rd period, the Fins held on for dear life as ‘Showers’ gave it everything they had.  Kessler faked the goalie out of his pads, scoring on a mini-breakaway, but ‘Showers’ did manage to tie the game with time running out.  The Fins gave it one last gasp and with less than a minute remaining - Probasco scored the go-ahead goal.  ‘Showers’ pulled their goalie, but thanks to Dave ‘Baby Back Ribs’ Berent and the Fins defense - they held off the rush and to seal the victory.

 The Fins win for the second time this season to improve their ‘official’ record to 2-1-2.  With an ‘official’ point total of 6 - this is the most successful season in Blue Fins History.

 Their next contest is Wednesday February 20 at 11:15 pm against the Jackals.

Due to the writers strike there we’re no game reports for 1/30/08 and 2/6/08.