This Week in SCOHA – November 30, 2021

As the Montreal Canadiens start their search for a French speaking GM, rumours around the water cooler are swirling about Master’s division sniper Bernard Boulienne applying for the position. We will keep an ear glued to the radio and update you if we hear something. Looking for the perfect gift for the SCOHA fan on your list? Try the $8 flex pack that includes 2 tickets, 2 ballpark franks and 2 colas. These are available through email transfer to my account only…  

This past weekend saw some streaks continue and some come to a roaring halt. Fasten your seatbelt, crack open a chilly one, let’s get to the recap. 

JUNIOR DIVISION:    OILERS 6 FLYERS 2. The Flyers want to push this game down the stairs and move on to the next one. Before my seat was warm, this one was over. Captain Steve Ditta scored a pair and Ryan Bili had the eventual game winner as the Oilers folded up the Flyers like a paper airplane. The lone bright spot on the Oilers game sheet was Doug Moulton who tallied both goals in a losing cause. Oiler’s tenant of the twined tent, Scott Menzies, turned aside 28 shots for the win. Oilers have won 2 straight while the Flyers have dropped 2 in a row.    BRUINS 4 REDWINGS 4: Bruins veteran Jeff Davis scored with a buck 27 left in the game to tie the redwings 4-4 in a see saw battle from start to finish. Luca LaPorta with two snipes and an assist for the B’s  while John “get in the” Carvalho and Justin “Swiss” DesChalets also added a goal and a helper. Let’s pause and talk about Bruins captain Gregg Lintott. He is so calm out there he could fire a cannon in a canoe and sit still the whole time. Doesn’t get the credit he deserves but good luck trying to bump this guy off the puck. 

 INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: 

BRUINS 4 CANADIENS 3: Bruins Mike Leblanc knows how to score under pressure. He scored the game winner with 5 minutes left as the Bruins staved off the pesky Habs 4-3 in a spirited game. Bill “Holiday” Innes did his part, notching 2 beauties for the winners. Habs newcomer Marco Berube and Mike Desrorges continue to rack up the points, scoring a goal and adding a helper. These guys could stickhandle in a phonebooth, (not at the same time) let me tell ya.  

 FLYERS 4 BLACKHAWKS 2: Bill Templeman stopped a million and 8 shots for the victory. The Flyers were all over the puck like flies on a rib roast. Jason Hoffman and Steve Saulnier scored a pair each for the Flyers while Tim “don’t be scared, just” Pettitt and Jeff Davis scored for the Hawks who lost for the first time in 5 games. Flyers Jim Marentette: I will give anyone 8 bucks if you can win 4 out of 5 faceoffs against this guy, good grief, is he using a tennis racquet? Quick shout out to Hawks D-man Cory Herbert who forgot his elbow pads and one hockey sock. Dashed home to get them, came back and realized he forgot the sock. Hawk captain Paul McGraw will be Purolating Cory a checklist and a crayon before Sunday’s game.  

 MASTERS DIVISION:  

BRUINS 5 SHARKS 3. The Bruins can tap themselves on the back with their snow brush. A solid game at both ends of the ice saw them knock off Tymen Edelkoort and the Sharks 5-3 in front of a packed house of 6. Dave Armstrong and Joe “that don’t impress me” Muchynski scored a pair each for the win. As B’s captain Gord “par-boiled” Bryce said upstairs at the Lookout Lounge afterwards, “We are back on track. We showed some spine and grinded out a victory.” Sharks Robert Digiovanni’s pre-game meal consisting of veal parm seems to be working. 2 games in a row Robert has played amazing hockey. His teammates are first to praise his effort and the loyal Sharks fanbase are sensing an all-star season for the youngster. Bruins John Toth has a hockey stick the length of that pole you use to get the leaves out of the damn pool. It’s like trying to stickhandle around the CN Tower for crying out loud. 

 FLYERS 9 KINGS 8: What in the name of Lanny McDonald’s moustache happened here! Bernie “beef” Boulienne scored a hatty while Dale Brons added a pair as the Flyers dethroned the Kings 9-8. Both goalies saw more shots than a Friday night at the old Derby Tavern. Kings Steve Smith left it all on the ice, scoring a hat trick in a losing cause while Dave Langille scored two highlight reel goals for good measure. I miss playing against Dave, this guy is a well-respected player on and off the ice. The back of his hockey card is filled with points and he has zero desire to hang up the skates anytime soon. This game was played a little loosey goosey around the nets but both team reps stressed patience as they near the Christmas break.  

 BLACKHAWKS 2 STARS 2: Hawks were missing 5 players. Maybe they all piled into an Uber and hit up the Tiger cat game, who knows. Thanks to Terry Gudgeon and Tim Manning for subbing in. Players and fans upstairs were talking about both goalies playing an incredible game. Shots were 45-38 Stars. No shortage of action around the goal creases here folks. Peter “don’t call me P.K.” Subar scored one of the best goals of the SCOHA season for the Stars. Blackhawks captain and advocate for the Save The Whales Foundation added a pair of assists. Bill was recently seen in Hartford where he is spearheading (pun intended) a return of the Hartford Whalers to the NHL. Good luck, Bill!  

 FLAMES 3 REDWINGS 1: Flames Jason Anderson wakes up, puts his pants on and scores goals. He scored another goal half the league wished they could maneuver as the Flames shot down the Wings 3-1. Ok it was an empty netter but still. Great goaltending at both ends as Joe “near and” Defaria and Ted “mars bar” Marszalek raised more than one eyebrow with their efforts out there. Anyone see the lone Redwings goal? Looked like a Gretzky to Kurri to Messier goal  as Bill Curran passed off to Terry Gudgeon who saucered it across to Dale Scott. I’m sure we will be seeing this goal during the 1st intermission on CBC this Saturday night. 

 Besides all that rhubard, it was quite a weekend of SCOHA action. Junior Division has this upcoming week off. Good news as some players are nursing some minor injuries and hope to be back to the rink full boar the following week. Intermediate and Masters play this weekend but are off the following Sunday. Have a great week, fellas, and keep your stick on the ice. 

Chris Marttila