This Week in SCOHA – September 17th, 2024

Well gang, week one is under the bridge and things went as planned for some teams but a bit of a slow start for others. This guy is glad his blog contract got renewed for another year so let’s recap the goings-on from this past weekend.

Before we do that, let’s give a SCOHA stick-tap to one of the great guys in our family, John Elter, who is on our minds as the season starts. John, we miss you out on the ice badly and hope you can come see the guys soon! Cheers, buddy!

United Division:

Blackhawks 5 Flyers 1: Flyers were missing a pile of regulars but still... a game is a game. I will bet you a corned beef sandwich the Flyers will be just fine and they will be out for meat this Friday. Marc Bellehumuer was anything but in a humuerous mood as the Hawks kicked off the campaign. This guy does it all. I even caught him grouting a loose tile in my bathroom the other day. Hawks Shawn James scored a beauty and assisted on another. Anyone see his assist? Saucer pass landed flatter than piss on a pie plate for crying out loud! Ron Cybalski also chipped in with 2 goals and a hamburger helper for the winning side. John “golden griddle” Brindle replied for the Flyers. Justin Ross turned aside 14 shots for the W, a strong start for the promising young upstart.

Redwings 3 Bruins 2: I am not going to argue if this was a defensive battle or not. I’m at that stage in life where I stay out of arguments. Even if you say 1+1=5, you’re right, have fun. At any rate, SCOHA newcomer Wes Smith scored the eventual game winner as the Wings edged the Bruins 3-2 in front of a modest announced attendance of 4. Justin “never miss” Bisson and Chris Butler also scored for the winners. For the B’s, Matt “window” Sills and Sean Riley lit the lamp in a losing cause. Both goalies performed admirably and lost about 8 pounds under that heavy gear. A game well-played gentlemen.

Masters Division:

Sharks 5 Senators 3: Sharks captain, gm, and all-around nice guy Steve Saulnier had a can of cola before the game and went out there, scored a hatty and added a helper as the Sharks got past the expansion Senators 5-3. Rookie Brad Stapleton (no relation to Pat) also did his part, scoring a goal and adding an assist for the winners. Sens got a goal and 2 assists from Larry Litzgus as they were in the video room first thing Monday going over tapes in preparation for this weekend’s tilt with the Devils. Sens goalkeeper Tymen Edelkoort faced 39 shots. Worked his ass off. His face was a bit red when the game ended, resembling a Tupperware container that had spaghetti in it but this Sens team will be ok. They got the rust off and are ready to get back at it.

Penguins 2 Bruins 1: This does not qualify as a newsflash but Steve “around the” Horner is a good hockey player. He scored the game winner with a buck two left as the Pens snuck past the Bruins 2-1. Write this down, folks: This division has a bunch of goalies ready to prove each other wrong. It’s going to be a battle all season long. There’s a lot on the line. Bruins got a goal from the wiley veteran Al Herron, who surpassed Gilbert Perrault on the all-time goals list.

Devils 8 Blackhawks 0: Well gang, this game smelled like the back of a watch strap. The Devils dictated the play from the outset. Spare call-up Larry Litzgus scored a hatty, what else is new. The guy can crack eggs with one hand. His pre-game meal consists of no-bake cheesecake jam bars that gives you enough energy to run to the damn moon and back in 8 minutes flat. Let’s pause for a sec and acknowledge Bruno Santanoto for his shutout that leapfrogged him over Gerry Cheevers for 6th all-time. Steve watt scored a pair while Alfonso Tinebra scored once and set up 3 for the Devils. The Hawks didn’t make their room available to the media after this one but we hope to get some comments at their practice some time this week.

Grand Masters:

Sharks 6 Stars 2: Dave Cathcart loaded the damn cart with goals as the Sharks took a bite out of the Stars 6-2. Stars veteran goalkeeper Brian Deanes is tending to a lower body injury, we hope he heals up soon so he can get back on the ice. Get well soon, Brian! Sharks Ron Cooper scored in his first game of the season. He is now projected to score 21 goals this season. I say he does it. Not up for discussion. A soldier never leaves the battle. Stars got a goal from Tim Ritchie, another league newbie. Nice to see him fitting in well right off the bat. He is more creative than a shoebox guitar. I see him with at least 15 goals this year, go ahead and write that down.

Redwings 4 Flyers 2: League President Terry Gudgeon wasted no time by scoring his first of the season as the Redwings doubled up the Flyers 4-2. Terry quietly does his job out there and plans to keep playing the game he loves as long as he can. He hunts down the puck like a wolverine eyes his territory. His #33 will definitely be up in the rafters if he retires from hockey. Flyers Frank Sergi is going to be a prolific player in this league. Frank scored both goals for the guys in orange and promised SCOHA fans that this grand masters division will be entertaining and worth the price of admission each and every night, despite the stale popcorn at the concession stand.

Well that’s all for week one, folks. I was more sore than a pair of dentures after a cold buffet after a round of golf and my first game last weekend. I have a feeling others were a bit tender also but it’s all part of the fun. Enjoy the rest of the week, good luck this weekend.

Chris Marttila

SCOHA Blog Guy