Issue # 84 — The Game had Teeth
“In Canada your not a hockey player until you’ve lost some teeth.” Andy Bathgae
Just a few thoughts on the game Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks. Might have been the best game of the year. Great goaltending, great physical, end-to-end-most-of-it-in-our-end action. And did I mention goaltending?
It felt like good old fashioned firebrand hockey. like the style we used to play when we were kids, out in the backyard rinks. Out on the Beeke’s driveway. Where goals were scored liberally and every tilt ended with all our gear on the ice (or pavement) from the the obligatory line-brawl. Mrs. Beeke always made us a post-game snack to ease the pain of any bruised knees (egos) that transpired along the way.
It is a testament to the modernization of the game. A game where 8 goals are scored (and one more in the shootout) is rarely praised for it’s beauty. It is a time when technical python-hockey (see: Barry Trotz) is held in higher esteem then, well, goals.
Tonight should prove to be a good match. Calgary is looking for a playoff seed. Vancouver is looking for it’s first Presidents Trophy. There are serious points on the line. This is a serious game. But let us remember, it is only a game.
So let’s see some goals. And toothless grins.
The Canadian way.