Garcia? Who the hell is Garcia? Was he their number 12? No. The Bulldogs sprawling, leaping goalie, then? No. The Bulldogs have no Garcia. I’d be willing to bet the whole Factory Ice House League has not one Garcia on the ice in any league. What we’re talking about here, is just getting it done. Getting the win. It doesn’t matter how ugly, or who played where; just get a win.

On paper we’ve got as good a shot as any team in this league. And when we start skating on paper we’ll win championship after championship. We start off the season with a 3-0 shutout in a good game and feel like we are skating in the right direction. Then two quick, tight losses and people like Timmy are muttering about things like A New Jersey Curse. And I mean the cool new threads, not the Old New Jersey Curse (Skatch). So what the hell is going on? A 1-2 record is hardly something to go home and brag about. Let’s face it, your wife wouldn’t even want to listen to you yap if we were 4-0 (like the Ringers and their proud, content spouses).

Zarby had been beating himself up relentlessly all week about his glaring lack of face-off skills and was determined to work on them this week. Nothing would stop him from improving. I personally never noticed it. but he’s hard on himself. All the rest of can do is offer him help when his confidence is this fragile. Some shifted assignments gave the Weevils a new look taking the ice. Char and Zarby are centering and Diddle, Huevos Rancheros, and Myze all steeping up on D. A wicked late 9:30pm game was tough; Skatch had already fallen asleep on the couch and didn’t show until mid way through the third period so we ran 3 D for awhile.

First period was good skating in both ends of the ice, nice play on D and some good rushes and passes were made. The Bulldogs were some tripping, hooking mofos fo sho at first, but they settled down and overall we were evenly matched. After winning 3- or 4 face offs, Zarby’s confidence was soaring and he pockets one going across the goalies body far side making it 1-0 about half way through the 1st period.

I think the Bulldogs may have scored one in the 1st to tie but maybe it was the 2nd. Someone help me here. Dr. Egan and Pat had some brilliant chances and Timmy had a few where he was going to stuff one off a rebound but the puck was really fighting against going in their net. Their flopping, diving goaltender played well positionally and robbed several attempts.

In the 3rd they scored two unanswered tallies quickly while we were all standing around watching them skate. Lazy Weevils Will Not Be Handed Free Wins. On a penalty kill, Diddle flips one straight up the middle out of the zone that bounces off a Bulldog Paw to Weber who gets a shorty to bring the Weevils within one. And a good thing too, because Skatch had already given up, and was urging others on the bench to give up as well. With the new score he decided to rejoin the willing. The Weevs call a timeout with 1:40 to play and strategize. All of our heavy hitters were on the ice and rested and Ian was ready to jet for the bench once possession was attained (If Zarby could win the faceoff). We make a few unsuccessful attempts to gain the zone but the Bulldogs clamp down on us. Ian heads to the bench, Skatch jumps into the play, and Zarby buries one with 15 seconds left coming in from the right circle. All tied 3-3. We finish off the last of the game and go to the shoot out.

Char? No. Ian shuts down the bulldog. Zarby? No. Ian stands tall again. Myze? Beat the pants off the goalie but no. Again Ian is a rock. Diddle? Sweet move to the backhand but no. Ian stones another mutt. Huevos Rancheros? Sure. 5 hole. Goalie forgot he had a 5 hole. Huevos reminded him. Ian seals the deal with ANOTHER stop and your Weevils have a win.

It didn’t stop there. In the parking lot Dr. Egan is grilling up some fantastic Jalapeño bubba burgers secured by Diddle and the Brews are cold. Only thing missing is Cheese. Timmy, in a display of selflessness, secures an entire 2 lb brick of American cheese from Ziggy’s to save the evening.

Good job Weevs, keep the wins coming.