All of Mucker’s Musings including game recaps as only he can write, from the perspective of a 4th line grinder on a three line team.
Shameful Pond Hockey Past and Present
I really enjoy walking across the parking lot of Lake Nokomis as U.S. Pond hockey championship games are being played. You can hear chatter, sticks and skates echoing from hundreds of yards away. That is a great sound. I also like the sound of a vulcanized rubber disc hitting the back of the box made up of two by fours.
I like that sound in moderation.
Back in January of 2006, during the original U.S. Pond hockey championships on Lake Calhoun, Shame on Ice had to field a team. Grumpy, Sheriff, Barbarian, Scooter, Slick and Mucker went to the skaters tent and sat on hay bales to get prepared. I glanced down to see Tom Chorske lacing up his skates, I knew I was in big trouble.
During our first game, during that inaugural championships, losing 11-7 might have given us a false sense of security, like we could actually skate with these guys.
Game two was a little different. And for the 6 years since, We would often tell a story, it went a little like this…..
“You know, Shame on Ice played in the original U.S. Pond Hockey championships on Lake Calhoun, and unfortunately we lost a game twenty six to two. But we like to say, when we cut the lead to eighteen to one, the crowd went nuts”
Fast forward to last Saturday, January 21st, 2012 at 9:45am.
“What’s the score ref?” Mucker hollered at half-time.
“Fourteen to One!” The ref said, almost apologetically
We had one spectator, originally Shamer, Slick
“I’m not sure about this Slick” Mucker pivoted from his fold-out chair just over the boards of rink 21
“Not looking good” Slick belly laughs.
‘Thud’
‘Thud’
‘Thud’….
The second half did not improve.
Well, at least I will get to tell a new story about 2012, 32-2.
All in a 30 minute game.
“You could set your watch to these guys” Will be the new punch line.
Shame on ! – Mucker
(From March 2010, Mucker’s Musings)
(this is just a sample, more to come soon)
37 degrees, snow melts, grass is mud, sidewalks are dirty.
1 month left in the season, 5 games, Shame on Ice (8-6-0-1) are fighting for their playoff lives.
Shooter, a 6 year Shame veteran returns from knee surgery.
“Where the Hell is everybody?” Shooter climbs aboard the filthy, construction cone orange team bus, the ‘Ducktape Express’.
“Sit down Shooter.” Bus Driver Bill points to the first empty seat.
“Hey Mucker what gives?.” Shooter sits and asks about everyone’s whereabouts.
“Well, Bezerker was playing on a broke leg, and finally got it re-broke, set and casted.” Mucker opens up his blue steno pad.
“Re-broke?” Shooter cringes.
This past Sunday evening, clinging to the fourth place and the final playoff spot, Shame on Ice faced off against the second place Beavers (9-2-2) at New Hope Arena.
With 8 seconds remaining in the first period, Trademark (4) scored his fourth and the games first goal, assisted by Mucker (7) and Linus (4).
“Who is he and why is he in my seat?” Shooter stands and points.
“That is Linus, a Shame rookie, 4th on the team in points. Mucker points further back on the half empty bus.
“Can I keep reading?” Mucker taps a Bic pen on the steno book.
“Yeah go on.” Shooter glares at his old spot.
Forty two seconds into the 2nd period, the Beavers tied the game at 1. Just over a minute later, Sheriff (7) scored his team leading seventh goal on the year assisted by Mucker (8) and Trademark (7). With 12:16 to go in the second, the Beavers tied the game, and the stalemate continued into the third stanza.
“Ok, geez relax, Gonzo bruised rib, Keystone broke a rib, Target ripped his bicep.”
“Target is out??” Shooter panics.
“Yup, 6 years and over 200 beer league hockey games.” Mucker sighs.
“Hi, I’m Odie the Spaz.” A voice sounds over the dark green bus seat.
“Our new goalie, huh?” Shooter knows.
With 14:27 left in the third period, Brickhouse (4) cemented the Shames victory with an unassisted goal.
“Hacksaw stopped coming after we had 2 games with no penalties.” Mucker reads.
“We lost both games I suppose?” Shooter knows.
“What else, ah Protection Man Dan is at Twins spring training, I left my typewriter at Breck and couldn’t send updates.” Mucker rambles on.
This coming Saturday afternoon, Shame on Ice (8-6-0-1) face the Zephers (3-11-1) in their rubber match of the season, at the Charles Shultz Highland Arena, puck drops at 3pm.
“One game at a time boys.” Bus Driver Bill reminds.
“Sorry about your gramps Muck.” Shoot consoles.
“Thanks buddy, Welcome back.” Mucker greets.
Good seats are still available.
