Whaler Weekend

We went into the weekend with a huge but fun mountain to climb… three games in three days. Friday night it was our first meeting with MIB. Sure, we heard all of the talk about ringers and them sweeping the league, but the Bandits proved that they could be beat. Our goalie was late so we appreciate the extra time that was given to get him on the ice. “Flipper” from MIB seemed to be a cool guy before the game as he asked us if this game would impact our playoff position. The game was full-on shortly after that. Both teams gave 100% and it was a great match up. Somewhere in the first period, Flipper stopped before the blue line on the other side of the ice from our bench, pivoted toward us and fired a hot slap shot directly into our bench. It hit the glass above our heads and was about two feet from going over the glass where our friends, family and kids were sitting. We got into a shouting match with him, but nothing physical came of it. No penalty was called. If anyone wants to defend him on this, I’d be glad to read your comments. Otherwise… I just don’t get it. Hats off to MIB for robbing us of OT and scoring the game-winner with two seconds left. It was a great game apart from Flipper flipping out.

Saturday night was the first round of the playoffs with the Jets in our path. They are a solid team, but it was our night. We had a long bench and were able to change lines frequently. We knew we had to stay fresh if our older players like me were going to make it through the weekend. The typical shouting matches broke out from time to time, but I think we have all come to expect that. The Jets stayed within reach of us until we extended the lead in the third. The Whalers advance with a 6-3 victory.

Finally, we took the ice with the big bad Bandits on Sunday night. Just before the game we stood in the lobby and watched the Senators’ throw out everything they learned in anger management class. Because of all that mess and OT, our game was pushed back. I’m sure all teams playing Sunday felt that on Monday morning… it happens. Anyway, we had beaten the Bandits in OT early in the season. We also knocked them out of the playoffs last season. I guess they had something to prove. As one of the Whalers mentioned before the game, no odds maker would take us. We had a weak record and were about to play our third game in three days. Regardless, we were confident we could win. The Bandits are a very skilled team and I think they may have wanted it more on Sunday night. Besides, they just saw the top-seeded PJ’s get knocked out early and maybe that provided some motivation. Throughout the game it was pretty clear that the Bandits were the better team. They moved the puck well, they seemed to have more momentum and Greg Perry stopped a lot of shots. Paul Thurston of the Whalers scored with a few minutes left to make the score respectable, but the Bandits proved to be the better team 4-2.

Regardless of our very average 6-6 record for the season, I think we still knew that we had the potential to beat any team on any given night. Unfortunately, we dropped games to teams that we were “supposed” to beat (thanks Joes), and struggled to keep a consistent roster going through the vacation season. So, that’s our story for the summer. Hopefully, it will have a happier ending next season.

Scattershooting with Dickie Dunn.

So glad to see the league thriving.  Lots of new teams and even new faces on my beloved Stingers.

Had a chance to dress out for the Bronze Stingers last week versus the Puddle Jumpers.  Coach Fenili tolerated my suckiness.  Thanks boys!  I am back in town this weekend but not sure if there's a roster spot open for me.

You might wonder if I'm disappointed in the Stinger's record this year.  Absolutely not!  It is refreshing to play the Bronze Stingers with new faces who are learning the game.  It reminds me of the Euless Stingers days.  When winning wasn't easy.  Having to work for every possession. Old time hockey!!!!

Scattershooting while wondering why a blown whistle no longer means a dead puck in the crease.

Scattershooting while wondering what happened to the sucky service at ZuRomas.  The girl working last Saturday was a big improvement over the last one I remember.  I heard the old waitress liked some lickety split, but it sure didn't translate in to the speed of her service.

Scattershooting while wondering how I can figure out who plays who this week?

Scattershooting while wondering why the soccer pukes can't get anybody into the NyTex air conditioning on a hot Saturday Night?  Made me sad to see the green fabric stretched over the West Rink, with nobody utilizing it.

P.S. The Uniform Czar is very pleased with the Puddle Jumpers regalia.

Have good and get give, sweet strongs.

XXOO,

Dickie Dunn

This Weekends Games

With the season winding down, teams are fighting to finish in the top two of their division. Over in the Ranger Division it looks like MIB is pretty safe to finish at worst in second place. More than likely they will finish out in first. Also in the mix for the one of the top two spots are the Rampage and Indians. Rampage square off against a tough Whalers squad this weekend and the Tribe will face the Bandits. Bandits gave MIB their first loss last week, but lost a couple players in the process. Word on the street is that Bandit player Brandon Decker used duct tape to fix the cut on his face, so he will more than likely be back in action. The other Bandits D man Opie is out the rest of this season and all of next with a “lower body” injury. MIB face severe Icing, so it looks like MIB will probably get another win.



In the Texan Division it’s a different story. Puddle Jumpers have a two point lead over Whalers and are tied with Bandits. So the Rampage vs Whalers and Tribe vs Bandits games seem to be pretty important to all teams involved this weekend. Jumpers face the Stingers who are in a rebuilding year, so its probably a win for the Jumpers. So if MIB and Puddle Jumpers each get a win this weekend they almost guarantee a spot in the top two of their divisions which would get them a first round bye.

Should be an interesting weekend. As for the other games, Jets vs Monkeys should be interesting as the Monkeys are looking for their 4th win of the season which is the most they have had in, well, probably ever. Jets have been having an off year, and are looking for a win. I say Monkeys 10- Jets 4. Sens vs Joes will probably go to the Sens, Joes have been having a rough season, and in the wake of last weeks suspension and the week befores fight, there may not be much left in their tank. Sens 10 Joes 4.


10-4

Saturday, Aug 21

TDA Whalers @ Rampage 7:35pm NYTEX Brahmas 2


Puddle Jumpers @ Stingers 9:00pm NYTEX Brahmas 2


Bandits @ Keller Indians 10:25pm NYTEX Brahmas 2


Severe Icing @ MIB 11:50pm NYTEX Brahmas 2


Sunday, Aug 22



Jets @ Spider Monkeys 5:00pm NYTEX Brahmas 2




API Sens @ Average Joes 6:30pm NYTEX Brahmas 2

Spot Light On....Dan Wildfong

Spot Light On caught up with the head coach of our NYTEX Texas Brahmas – Dan Wildfong. Although he has better things to do, like prepare his Brahmas to retake the CHL cup, he was still sporting enough to answer our lame standard questions…thanks coach and good luck on the upcoming season!

1.Home Town?
Seaforth Ontario Canada, which by the way is per capita the largest source of NHL’ers of any city…..look it up.

2. Hockey Experience?
Played minor junior D. Junior B at St. Mary’s Ontario then went on to a 4 year scholarship at Colgate university. From Colgate to the CHL Shreveport Mudbugs for eight seasons and now coaching.

3.Past/Present Hockey teams?
See above

4.Pre Game Ritual?
I study the line up card of the opposing team.

5.Hockey Hero?
Mario Lemiex and Wendel “Boomer” Clark, both fun guys to watch.

6.Hockey Nemesis?
After all the heated battles last season, The Allen Americans, a great rivalry!

7.If you could play golf with 3 people living or dead, who and why?
George W Bush, Nolan Ryan and Kid Rock….just for the conversation.

8. Beatles or Stones?
Rolling Stones

9.Where were you when the Dallas Stars skated the cup in 1999?
I was skating the CHL cup with the Mudbugs down in Shreveport.

10. Which Metroplex sports team will win the next championship?
Brahmas (duh)

11. Ginger or Mary Anne?
Ginger..(after further thought), Mary Anne

12.Your message to the NYTEX community is?
I’d like to see everyone come out and support the team this year and in turn I am always around to help support the community with help, golf tournaments,fundraisers, etc. My door is always open to lend a hand if needed.

Whalers 6, Spider Monkeys 2 - 8/8/2010

Ringer Talk

You love em, you hate em, but you can't get enough talkin bout em...Ringer Haters - call em out. Team, name or roster number. Ringer Playas - your forum to defend why you play down. Come on people, let's get it out of our systems so we can simply get down to the business of improving our individual game.

To qoute a local wise sage 'If ya got big boobs, let me hear from ya'

Over 35 Finals Set

Big ups to Jim Carr who was in the stands at last nights Over 35 semi finals games doing what Jim does best, solid reporting. 

Finals are set, Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs 9:30 Sunday.  

Hawks are breathing new life after Secord joined them for the playoff run.   Leafs had a slow start but have turned it on lately.   

Al Secord Leads the Over 35 Hawks to Victory

NHL Legend Al Secord returned to the Over 35 Blackhawks from the IR yesterday, and led them to a 3-1 victory over the Bruins last night. Secord tallied two goals in the effort. Next up for the Hawks is the 11-1 Rangers led by The Vanilla Gorilla, Knute Anderson.

Immediately following the Rangers and Blackhawks you can catch the Dan Wildfong led Maple Leafs as they take on the Steve Hall led Red Wings.

Game Time tonight is at 9 for the Hawks Rangers Tilt.

Over 35 League

The Over 35 League will wrap up this week. The twelve game regular season has ended, and now its time for the single elimination playoffs to begin.

Wed

915PM Bruins(4) v Black Hawks(5)



Thur

900PM Rangers(1) v 4/5 winner

1020PM Maple Leafs(2) v Red Wings(3)



Sun

930PM Semi Winners in the Championship.





The league will hopefully be a summer staple at the Nytex Sports Centre. Games were held Tuesday nights at 7:30 and 9 and Thursday nights at 9. The original plan was to have 6 teams all molded after the first 6 NHL teams and call the league the original six league. There was only enough players to form five teams, so Montreal was left out, and the league pushed through with Blackhawks, Rangers, Maple Leafs, Bruins, and Red Wings.



The level of play in this league is very mixed. Teams are made up of bronze leaguers, silver leaguers, and even some gold and A leaguers. Former CHL tough guy, and Brahmas Head Coach Dan Wildfong plays for the Maple Leafs, and 14 year NHL vet Al Secord suits up for the Hawks. Actually Secord was on the IR most of the year, but is expected to return to their lineup this week. For stats, standings, and etc check out the league’s pointstreak page

http://www.pointstreak.com/players/players-division-standings.html?divisionid=36547&seasonid=5612



If you are 35 or older this league is something you should explore next summer.

Mid Season Report (Bronze)

So the race for the top two spots in each division is on. Over in the Texan Division it looks pretty bunched up. PJ's are sitting on 10 points, however Sens, Whalers, and Bandits all have 8 points, so looks like we have a tight race.

Over in Ranger MIB has 12 points as they are still undefeated, so its really a race for the second spot which right now is between two teams. The Tribe is sitting on 7 points and Rampage are sitting on 8. Are the Rampage this years Whalers? Whalers turned things around last season, and have held steady this summer. Rampage seem to have turned things around, despite Phil Shipp's coaching.

Top two spots get to rest 1st round of the playoffs, so there is something to finishing in the top two. Who will it be

Dickie Dunn Sighting

Rumor is our old pal Dickie Dunn was spotted at the NYTEX Sports Center Saturday night. No doubt hanging around the Derby Girls locker rooms. I am sure he was doing a thorough job of investigative reporting. Great to see you back on the job. By the way there was some hockey being played.