Homeless Hogs
A couple of weeks ago, after our first early (i.e. the 6:15 PM slot) game of the season, we discovered that our usual post game hangout, Roseville Family Pizza, had closed up shop. It was a bit of a surprise, but perhaps not so unexpected.
This pizza place was great for us because it accommodated our large group rather well. There was a lot of room, and with the video games and kid-friendly area, the players’ kids enjoyed the place as well. The restaurant’s business hours would end too soon for us to go regularly, but it was always our default destination after early games. No matter what our game outcome was, it was like a party there and we really enjoyed it.
When the economy turned, we started noticing that the restaurant was getting emptier, and often we would be one of the few or the only ones in there. Perhaps the inevitable has come to pass, but it’s too bad that a local business that we enjoyed has been forced to close their doors.
These days, during our later games, we’ve been assembling at a local diner that is open late. The staff treats us very well there and we enjoy the food. But, we’re now on the lookout for a more permanent home for HogTown, USA.
The Singh10 Hat Trick
A miracle occurred for Silver B’s Bronze League Tripod (aka yours truly) during our game against Roughriders A last Friday. I scored two goals after my teammates set me up very nicely - Jones3 and Kinney33 each gave me nice passes in front of the net that I just had to tap in. I also picked up an assist on one of Kinney33‘s goals as well.
There is something called a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, which is an unofficial hockey term given to when a player gets a goal, an assist and into a fight in one game. Now, I didn’t get into a fight, but I’d like to introduce a new hockey statistic for all to track. It’s called the Singh10 Hat Trick: getting a goal, an assist, and a death threat all in one game.
During the second period, I was in front of the Rough Riders net and was jostling for position with their captain. I was knocked down by another Rough Riders player, and when I fell, my legs were tangled up with the first player, who was still standing. I was trying not to move my legs for fear of being stepped on.
As I was on my back, the other captain leaned over me and told me to release his legs. I don’t remember how we were tangled up (and couldn’t even see it), but he then put his stick on my chest and held me down. He got in my face and began repeating “I’m going to kill you” . He must have repeated this about four or five times, and each time I dared him to do it. But, all he could do at that point was to continue to issue threats. I believe he also made another threat, but he later denied making it, and so I’ll leave that one be.
[5/26 update: according to the other captain, the reason he said what he did was because I had apparently wrapped my legs around his recently injured ankle, and this was causing him pain. He claims to have warned me about this and out of frustration he told me he would kill me if I didn't let go. It is entirely possible that he said something about his injured ankle, however I did not hear this at the time. ]
When the play stopped, the referees had us separate and I got back to my feet. Later, I confronted him about it, and he said that he didn’t mean it. My bad. I guess when I wasn’t laying on the ice anymore, the death threat was no longer valid.
In any case, I have informed our rink of this event and they can do with this information what they choose.
The Big Return
This Friday will mark the big return of Phillips15 on the ice with us. A year after his leg was broken when a Roughriders player ran him into the boards during the first game of the Summer 2009 regular season, Phillips15 finally has medical clearance to play. We’re really looking forward to it, but probably no more so than him. Even when he couldn’t play for the past year, he still came out to almost all our games and coached us from the bench. That’s dedication, and I couldn’t be happier that he’ll be back.
Congrats to Haviland55
Our youth movement continues in full swing. A week and a half ago, Haviland55 and Mrs. Haviland55 had their second child. Congrats to the Havilands!
Singh10.