Byline: Viking Ice Arena
Monday evening the Tigers faced the surging Americans with playoff seeding on the line. GM Jeff Skillman needed multiple subs to fill out his lineup as the Tigers would be without the Flying Taylor Brothers and Mr. Slocum who is on the PUP List. The early favorite for GM of the Year opted to go with a line composed of all Ducks. “I kinda felt bad for them because they are eliminated but I also had a hunch that as a group they would be formidable” said Skillman on the Labatt Blue Party Deck post game. He must have had his crystal ball polished because the trio did not disappoint.
The first stanza was completely dominated by the Ducks posing as Tigers. The first goal of period came via a beautiful pass by player of the game recipient Jumpin’ Jim Ellis to Bin on a two on one. “I just wanted to make my St. Joan of Arc Chargers proud” said Ellis. Turtle cashed in on another spectacular play from Ellis making the score 2-0. The period would round out with a goal from Pistol Pete Niphratos who has played a MNL record 48 games this season. Pistol stated “With the Ivory Tower banning 22 from subbing, I get to play two games every Monday and I should because I’m awesome!”.
The second period was the exact opposite of the first. The rink was heavily tilted to the South as the Amerks completely dominated the surface. The Tigers looked content to just play out the rest of the game and payed a heavy price for their complacency. The red white and blue got goals from John Starr, Brian Edge and league golden boy Pauly Proctor. Proctor’s goal was of significant importance as he becomes MNL’s first player to ever reach 100 career regular season goals. “I’m very proud to play with some incredible guys and I couldn’t have done it without all those guys just dumping it out to center where I cherry pick and score on breakaways” said 22. Proctor was presented with the “Golden Puck” award and plans are already in progress for a ticker tape parade down Woodward Heights in Hazel Park.
The game would come down to who wanted it more in the last period. Netting the game winning goal would be the lovable Charles Big Cat Machi who deftly put in a rebound past Jflo and celebrated with this patented Chi Chi Rodrigez holstering of his stick. The crowd of seven who gathered to watch this monumental event leapt to their feet and for a brief moment in time all was right in the world. Wars paused, world hunger ceased to exist and no one was sickened by the Coronavirus. The Amerks did have their chances throughout the night. Paul Antioch was denied on two separate breakaways by the spiciest of goalies Andrew Hetes and got a chance on a power play with under four minutes to go. The man advantage back fired on them as the Tigers pushed forward on a two on two. Bin carried the puck over the blue line and whistled a slap shot far side passed the Americans net minder. The game would end as a 5-3 victory for the el Tigres. The Tigers match up with the hapless Ducks next week which begs the question as to whom will Bin play for. The Ivory Tower has voted to allow him to play in Slocum’s spot for the playoff run but his loyalty is to the orange and black. “It’s nice to be playing meaningful hockey this time of the year, I’m just happy I’m playing in the MNL!” said Bin.
Playoff Bound –
Dickie Dunn
