Preseason MNL hockey concluded Monday night as teams shuffled lines looking for chemistry. More important was the league chemistry that ensued during and after the games. MNL’ers of all shapes and sizes intermingled at the gala event hosted by OFP executive Troy Otto and celebrity chef Alan Simonelli. Tigers mixed with Diques, Americans swapped childhood stories with Scouts and Goose told stories of blowing his load in some chicks face the first time he met her. The annual bbq throwdown took place in the annex lot of the Labatt Blue Party Deck and was a felicitous success thanks to the hard and dedicated work of these two men. “Troy is already lobbying for back to back Essence of Otto Awards” said Coach Brandon Batchelder through a mouthful of cheeseburger. By far the star of the evening was Simmer and his culinary artistry with the OONI pizza oven. Ball after ball of decadent dough was masterfully transformed into circular works of art. Simmer pumped out at least a dozen pies for our satisfied bellies. Not offering a rookie score, first overall pick Slick Rick Merritt proclaimed the pizza “an 8.4”.
Joining the party was the head of Youngstown Phantoms central scouting Jamie Juleff. “I heard about a few players in MNL who would be a good fit for our club so I was out checking them out” said Juleff. It turned out to be his lucky night as he was treated to hot dogs, hamburgers and a fist full of Simmers peperoni’s. “I though it might have been Hal’s dad or something” commented Kyle Bauer as he awkwardly made his way around the guys. Juleff deftly worked the party deck dropping names and places he allegedly played. He even returned to his 2013 Cadillac CTS to fetch a duffle bag filled with room temperature Natty Lights to share with his new friends. “He has great style that I may copy” said fashion icon Paul Antioch. “I may drop the long puffy trench coat parka and take on the one ear bud look”.
What a great night for all the boys. It just adds to the lore of this league. I also want to mention that DougE Fresh has set the new standard for Best Dressed.
Dickie Dunn
