Late Monday night on the NHL sheet the North Stars rolled out their new roster and came up with a back and forth 5-4 victory over the Ducks. This was the first opportunity for the league to bear witness to the Otto’s bold and seraphic strategy heading into the playoffs. It did not take long for the new duo to make an impact for the Club. Gio, Pistol and super sub-up Doc Hollywood combined for all five Star goals and could have had plenty more if not for superior goaltending by Duck goalie Ryan Z.

The orange clad Ducklings jumped out to a lead in the first period when power forward Jim Ellis banged in his first of the year. “It was great to see him score… he’s probably one of the top two Ellis’ in the entire league” said GM Brian Bustamante. The North Starts responded in the second with a tape to tape cross net pass from Doc Hollywood to the Italian Stallion. Gio gracefully deposited the puck for his first with his new squad. On the Labatt Blue Party Deck the suave Italian gave his thoughts “sono contendo di non essere un Nordique” (look it up). Not to be out shined by his trade companion, Pistol Pete Niphoratos used his speed and strength to score his first as a Star. “I’ve always been a star in my own mind so it is only fitting that I play on a team that is named after me” said a jubilant Pistol. The Ducks would get two more goals from Gibb and Bin to tie the score heading into the third.

The flow of the game was different than the normal feel of a MNL game. Both teams had end to end rushes and multiple scoring chances. “It was like playing 1980’s style hockey. Were not a left wing lock team anymore. We are gonna be high flyin’, wheelin’ dealin’, kiss stealin’ sons of guns!” said Stars GM and braintrust Troy Sniper Otto. The re-fabricated North Stars outscored the Ducks in the third period with another goal from Gio and Doc Hollywood respectively and only one from come back player of the year award nominee Turtle Tim. The loss prevented the Ducks from getting back to back wins for the first time this season. The win for the North Stars keeps them in fourth place just one point behind the mullet wearing Tigers.

Dickie Dunn