This Week in SCOHA – January 10th, 2025

Well folks, for all you people that were complaining about the damn heat back in July, how do you like it now?

I’ve got some time to spare before I hit up the murder mystery dinner at the Innsville so I better get the blog done before the United teams hit the ice again tonight.

United Division:

Bruins 3 Flyers 1: Didn’t see this one coming but what an effort by the whole Bruin team who are playing like they have nothing to lose. No pressure, just out there having some damn fun. Nick Grivich keeps on piling up the points, someone get me a signed rookie card from this guy, it’s going to be worth hundreds soon! Nick had 2 more goals including the game winner and Darren O’Brien kept things air-tight in the Bruin crease all night. Journeyman forward Andrew Mousseau (French for Mousseau) chipped in with a pair of helpers for the winning side. Flyers lone goal was scored by Dylan McInerney and lemme tell you something: I am so glad I don’t have to play against that guy anymore. They should make him use the other end of his stick, it’s just not fair.

Blackhawks 6 Redwings 3: Peter Tompkins was absent from this game, must be skiing.

Masters Division:

Sharks 4 Devils 1: Brad Stapleton scored the eventual game winner with 6:48 left as the Sharks took a bite out of the Devils 4-1. Ok I need some new shark puns, this one is getting old. The Devils failed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat… Dave “Le Legende” Langille also lit the lamp for the guys in teal. Dave recently had his jersey retired from his stint with the Pickering Panthers where he solidified his name in the record books as a promising young upstart. He holds the team record for most games scored with a wooden stick (831). We need a SCOHA Hall of Fame and this guy will definitely be in it. Chris Scott scored the lone Devil goal and news broke that Domenic Charini will miss the rest of the season. We all wish him all the best in getting his health looked after, tough hearing news about a player having to put the skates away.

Bruins 4 Blackhawks 2: Merry Christmas Yves scored twice as the Bruins doubled up the Hawks 4-2 in front of an announced crowd of 4. Actually 3, one person left for a bathroom break halfway through the game and opted not to return. Al Herron scored and also sat in the box for interference so ya, he had a productive evening on the game sheet. Brad Ballman turned aside 18 shots for the win, his 395th of his career, passing Alan Bester for 89th in career wins. Jason Hoffman and Tony Gzik replied for the Blackhawks who will go over some game film before this weekend’s game. Mystery #16 (not on game sheet) had an assist and a penalty so ya, congratulations.

Penguins 3 Senators 2: The Sens had this one in the bag until 2 late goals sunk them like a cardboard canoe. Steve Horner was awarded the game winner after the Sens won the faceoff right between their goalie’s legs late in the game. Walt Blagdon and Mike Archer also scored for the Pens while yours truly and John Bearisto replied for the struggling Senators.

Grand Masters Division:

Flyers 1 Stars0: J.J. MacNeil (no relation to Rita) turned aside 5 shots for the shutout as the Flyers edged the Stars 1-0. Terry “is it brand new? No… sorry it’s a bit “Hughes scored the lone goal of the game with 8:45 left on the clock to seal the victory. Not gonna lie, folks, not much to talk about in this game… the ice was smoothe and the puck slid pretty damn fast. That’s all I got.

Redwings 5 Sharks 2: With Joe LoCiccero still on the shelf, Joe Defaria laced up his classic goalie gear and filled in admirably. 6 players were missing from the Redwing lineup including Billy Kircos who drove all the way to Toronto for the RV Show before he realized it’s in February. Max “pepperoni hold the pineapple” Pizzagrilli scored the eventual game winner while Dave Jarvis threw his hat in with a pair of goals. Dave Cathcart and Rick “tiktok” Estok replied for the Sharks who were missing some troops also. AI-generated insights say that the Sharks will be looking forward their next meeting with the Redwings for some redemption. I will make some popcorn for that one.

THE PREMIUM PLUS TOOL REPAIR & PACKAGING WORKHORSES OF THE WEEK:

UNITED: Peter Tompkins       MASTERS: Yves Bisson       GRAND MASTERS: Max Pizzingrilli  

That’s all from this end of the ice, folks. Have a great weekend and good luck in this weekend’s games. I am off to sunny Winnipeg next week for Hockey Day in Canada festivities with the cousins but will get the blog done before then.

Chris Marttila

SCOHA Blogologist-in-Chief