H J E Double-Hockey-Sticks E

tUMD 4, Drunken Crazy Lady's Favorite Team 2

All right. I think over the 4+ years that I've written RWD, I've established myself fairly solidly as a creepy creeper. So, that probably means it was a bad thing for me to sit in the primo seats for creeping: right behind the bench. Not a great idea for my whole anonymity plan. Well, posting crazy pictures of myself on RWD is probably also a poor idea. But whatever. I have friends in low places, and got the hook up with some of the greatest seats in the house. DA sent me a text asking if I could see the game. I said "I can smell it." Yes. Anyway, I took some creeper picks from my seat, although very little in the way of action shots because I like to actually WATCH the games. And also because I don't want to get nailed by a puck.

Super Sexy Shirtless Brady Hjelle* started for tUMD, which was very exciting. My co-drinkers at Grandma's (well, I wasn't drinking, so they were drinking for me) were very nervous, but I stayed calm by remaining positive. I reminded them that he's already played, and it was against a much better team, and that team had already rung up Stalock for 5 goals, and he still shut them down, so there was no reason to worry. It was so cute before the game, after the huddle, how Kenny and Al had a little chat with him and patted his helmet and got him all pumped up. Brady played well; both goals were given up on the power play, one on an unnecessary 5 on 3, and one on a penalty that we could have done without but wasn't that bad and was at least the result of physical play and not just random stupidity. He had a few moments that made me very nervous when he was playing the puck, but he did restrain himself from playing the puck at times when it looked like he was going to make a move. Someone made a sign that said "It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!" and hung it over the railing across from us. I tried to get a photo but I think it turned out poorly. We'll see later. When Bermidji took a time out and Brady came over to the bench, he was straight up grinning. I was so happy with his play all night and it was great to see him show off his mad skillz. I know my RWD correspondent/scout in Cedar Rapids is going to be thrilled. What up, Tracy?

I didn't think about it at the time, but I realized tonight all six of the freshmen played! Exciting!!! It was a good way to reward them for all their hard work (well, I don't really know that they have been working hard, but I would assume they would) and also to get them some game experience. The defencemen were getting power play and penalty kill experience, which is fantastic. Kishel will be QBing a PP unit if not next year, then the year after. Lamb is going to permanently injure some goalie with his wicked slappah. Great game, kiddos!

For the second time in as many nights, one of My Guys got 2 goals. Sharpy got his fairly early so there was plenty of time to get a hat trick (because really, Marco Peluso was the last Dog to get one and none of these guys even played on the same team as he did), and I really really wanted to see one. I was even wearing a hat, although it was of the knit variety and I probably would have hit Stalock with it as it would not have made it to the ice, and that would have been unbelievably embarrassing. I thought My Sweet Jacky had gotten an assist but evidently it went to Kishel instead. Oh well. All in all My Guys had a FANTASTIC weekend as did the whole team!

I know that we've all had some ups and downs this year, but I have to say, it is so amazing to watch some of these goals happen. Justin Fontaine's goal and Mike Connolly's goal were both spectacular in the setup as well as the finish, and it is a nice change in our game plan. I still love the garbage goals, because you can't win successfully without them, but it is really nice to see the "highlight reel" (would that we had one!) goals that have been few and far between the past few years.

I could not finish this post without mentioning the weird drunken cougar from Bermidji who was FREAKING OUT every time the Beavers scored. I mean, pounding on the glass next to the bench, rubbing her badonkadonk on the glass, headlocking her friends, running around like a crazy person type freaking out. I yelled at her on Friday night but on Saturday the only person who benefitted from my yelling was Chris Garner. I recommended possibly cutting her off at the bar next time. Good lord, lady. When I am that old I will not be acting that way. Seriously. It is time to hang up the crazy cougary screeching and start being a crotchety old sea hag. I figure I have about 2 or 3 good years left in me, and this lady had about 30 years on me. For reals, if you are going to be a cougar, at least be hot.

Next up: Mankato. I'll be watching the Charter feed on Friday and then zooming up to D-town on Saturday to see us finish off another home sweep, and then some things will be happening. WOOHOO!!!!!!

The Numbers
Wins until we equal last season's total: 4 (Last NC of the season!)
Points until we equal last season's total: 8 (No more NC, but 6-1-1 is FABULOUS!!)

My Guys
MacGregor Sharp: 24!
Jack Connolly: 15
Michael Gergen: 10
Rob Bordson: 0

Freshmen
Mike Connolly: 20!
Jack Connolly: 15
Scott Kishel: 2! (But taking a point from my Jacky made me less happy about Kish's point)
Travis Oleksuk: 1
David Grun: 0
Brady Lamb: 0

On Notice:
Rob Bordson
Jay Cascalenda
Matt Greer
Alex Stalock

Goals Only
Drew Akins
Andrew Carroll
Cody Danberg
Jordan Fulton
Nick Kemp
Josh Meyers
Mike Montgomery
Trent Palm
Kyle Schmidt

*This is an inside joke. He was not shirtless.