A complete game for us against the Blackhawks, start to finish, this was easily the best game we’ve played this season.  Our passes were crisp, our skating was smooth, and we were positionally sound, covering for others when we needed to cover.  Most of all, however — and this definitely contributed to the win — we kept our shifts short, and changed when we needed to change, on the fly.  It was rare to see someone out for two minute shifts and only changing after whistles.  We were always fresh on the ice, which helped us keep our legs moving, and I think we only had one offside all night.  It was a great game to watch (and play!), indeed.  We even managed to earn ourselves a penalty shot!

Goalie Joe got the shutout he’s deserved all season, and Jonathan did it again with a solid effort, finishing with two goals (one of them the game-winner), and an assist.  Roach also managed a couple of goals, as well as sneaking into a photo:

Roddie... and Roach

Granted, I don’t look too with-it (I was just getting off the ice), but come on now….

By the way - If anyone else has someone taking pictures or videos during the games, I’d be happy to post them here.  Just let me know.

We’ve got sole possession of second place right now, and will stay there with a win next Saturday at 10 PM against the Saints. 

Also, playoff night is September 27th (time TBA)!

This is what it’s all about, folks:

Not quite an MVP award, but close..

Ok sure, I got my first banana sticker without getting any points in the game, but maybe we can call it a delayed sticker for the goal I scored a few games ago; or maybe it’s like a participation ribbon.  Either way, it still counts!

Oh yeah, the game - A nice 4-2 win over the Frisco Blackhawks which should keep us in a tie for second place once the night is through.  Jonathan lead the way with two goals, one of them the game-winner.  Drew (1G 1A) and Patrick (2A) each came away with two points.

Highlight of the night - Goalie Joe beating on Pete during a scrum in front of our net.

Quote of the night:

What is it with you and testicles? - Dan Tresnak to Brian Roach after the game.

No explanation required.

I wasn’t at the practice last weekend unfortunately, and I’ll be missing this Saturday’s game also, so here’s my contribution this week…

Former (?!) Tundra Monkey, Alan Donley, sent some excellent positioning and play diagrams to the team a couple of weeks ago that I’ve been meaning to post here for your reference (click on each image to open it in a readable size):

Animated defensive zone breakout

Defensive Zone Breakout

Defensive zone positions

Defensive zone position 1

Defensive zone position 2

Defensive zone position 3

Breakout

Breakout 1

Breakout 2

Offensive Positioning

Offensive Positioning 1

Offensive Positioning 2

Offensive Positioning 3

Forecheck

Forecheck

Another win, against another top team.  Truth be told, it was a slow moving game, and we were a little sloppy, but we deserved this one.

We’ve somehow managed to give both the Ice Rats and the Fury  (the top two teams from last session) their only losses so far.  We’re actually in a four-way tie for second!

After hitting the posts twice, Roach cleaned-up with two goals (including the game winner) and an assist, and continues to lead the team in both goals and points. 

Congrats to Chris (1A) and Dan (1G), who each got their first point tonight.  And of course the kids, Jonathan (1A) and Ryan (1G 1A), each made the scoresheet again.

I gotta say, my first penalty wasn’t as satisfying as I thought it would be.  I managed to get my stick caught in the guy’s skates and down he went.  I kinda expected my first trip to the box to be a result of a decent check or maybe drawing some blood.  There’s still time though.  Six more of those before I catch up to Patrick.

Next Saturday is a full ice practice at 11:15 - See you all there!

Coach said it best, “It should be ten to four by now.”

The final results notwithstanding, I think tonight we played our best game so far.  We forechecked all night, our passing was in sync, we played our positions, defense from goal on out was solid, and we all skated hard (and outshot them 25-12). 

Unfortunately, they got the bounces and we did not.

It happens, but I gotta say, it was a really fun game to watch.  Roach and Joe (1G 1A) each hit the posts three or four times, and Jonathan (2A), with all his fancy stick work, managed to bounce the puck off and around their goalie a number of times.  Kathy continues to find new and interesting ways to block the puck, this time getting it completely wedged in her skate blade.  Yours truly even got his first goal (and point!), tying it up with 20 seconds left in the game.

Our next game is Saturday at 8:45 against the Ice Rats.  See you then!

It was a good 3-1 win Saturday night against the Fury in a rough game that started with Kathy getting a shot in the rear and ended with Keith getting a puck off the head.  For a no-checking league, there was quite a bit of hitting going on, but we were up to the challenge. 

Goalie Joe played a solid game to get the win in front of his parents who were in the stands. While Roach topped the scoresheet with two goals and an assist, Jonathan also played one hell of a game, and ended up with the GWG.

It was reported that a some of the players’ wives/girlfriends were involved in pretty heated debate during some of the scrums.  Keep the violence on the ice ladies, especially when there are kids around!!

Our next game is Saturday at 10 against the Misfits according to our original schedule, even though Pointstreak disagrees.

Welcome to the official blog of the Frisco I-League team, the Tundra Monkeys.