The tilt between the Ducks and Nordiques was billed as the Game of the Year and both teams delivered as advertised. The outcome would not be determined until the final minute and both squads gave all they had. A nervous tension filled both locker rooms prior to the game as a playoff birth hung in the balance. “There was a lot on the line” said Timmy Kimmel referring to the valuable three points available to the winner. The Ducks trailed the Nordiques by those same three points in the standings going into the game and would have held the tie-breaker to make the playoffs.

Both teams began the game with a feeling out process. The baby blue would play without Andy Femm, DougE and Drago who were replaced MNL darling Twisted Pfister, AllanZ and hero Gumma. The Diques were the first to post a tally on the scoreboard as game MVP Darren “I dont use a wood stick anymore” Cunningham banged in his own rebound from a poor angle. Substitute goaltender Dylan Lesner broke down the play after the game…”Those Ducks are loosey goosey with the puck in their own zone and don’t get the puck out.  No wonder they have only won 3 games this year. Poor Ryan Z, I feel bad for him”. The second period was controlled by the Ducks who pressed the Nordiques defensemen. Turtle Tim picked up a loose puck behind the net and found an open Bin in the high slot. Bin got a quick and accurate shot past Coan’s blocker to tie the score after two periods and breathe life into the orange clad squad.

Both teams had glorious chances to take the lead in the third period. Team architect Panty Dropper deployed his new offense by taking a play out of the Americans book. “Yeah, so we changed the way we brought the puck out of our zone. We used the “Proctor Breakout” now. We used Pfister just like the Americans use #22. I told him not to back check and just hang out by the red line and wait for the breakaway pass”. The strategy worked and the result was three breakaways on Mr. Pink Whitney. Neither team could take advantage of power plays and the game seemed destined to go to overtime. The Ducks had the puck deep in the zone and applying pressure until Dcunn intercepted a pass and transitioned into a three on two the other way. With :58 seconds remaining Gumma was able to bang in the puck from deep in the slot. “It was pretty much the biggest goal I have ever scored” said a cheerful Gumma on the Labatt Blue Party Deck. The Ducks pulled their goalie but were not able to get any quality chances in the end. 

The result of the loss means the end of a chance to compete in the MNL playoffs for the Ducks. This will mark the first time in league history that a team will be relegated to shinny hockey while everyone else plays for the Keg. When asked for comment a dejected Shawn Shugga Hardy said “It’s been a frustrating year for the team and myself as an individual. I expect so much more out of myself. Maybe I can get lucky next year and Troy will draft me so I can be a North Star because you know those guys are the best”.

Dickie Dunn