(Contributed by Steve Mayle)
For most of us, pre-game rituals are a thing of the past, at least they
are for me. Today before the game, I played Mr. Potato Head with my
youngest daughter, walked the dog, and then played Guitar Hero with my
oldest daughter. I'm now thinking of making this my new pre-game ritual
because when it came time for the game, the team I played on, the Orange team,
defeated the Black team 6 to 1 in the annual end of season game.
Our victory was aided by John Anderson's solid play in net,
Abel Kahn's hat trick, and consistent back checking by the Orange team forwards
throughout the contest.
The game was close through the first period and a half. The teams traded chances during the first part of the 1st period and both goalies came up with big saves. Orange broke the scoreless tie about mid-way through the 1st. Pete Demers scored an Alex Ovechkin-like goal as he stepped out of the penalty box, found the puck, and hustled to maintain a lane to the net.
The Second Period started with a strong flurry by Black, which eventually resulted in a nice goal in close by Tommy Oprzadek from a pass out of the corner. The game remained close after that. At one point Black came within a fraction of an inch of tying it on a chance from just behind the goal line that ricocheted around and appeared to Orange and the Referee to come to rest on the goal line before being covered by the goaltender. There was some controversy as some on Black believed that the puck crossed the goal line, but the play was whistled dead and the resulting faceoff was inside the Orange defensive zone.
Shortly after this, Abel Kahn made a mad dash toward the Black net and appeared to have willed the puck into the goal. However, it was not clear whether the puck actually crossed the line so the whistle blew for a faceoff in the Black defensive zone. Orange protested the call, but to no avail. However, on the ensuing faceoff, Orange gained control of the puck and sent forth a shot that found the back of the net.
Starting the 3rd period the Black team made adjustments to their line combinations and had the defense push deep into the offensive zone. But Orange's goaltending and team defense held the Black team at bay. Orange collected another goal as Andrew Tucker scored on his own rebound. Orange capitalized on one more scoring chance as Abel Kahn scored again. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the final score was Orange 6 and Black 1.
Following the game Orange and Black kept with the longstanding hockey tradition and lined up to shake hands. The Orange team victory was bittersweet with the thought of both Todd Muney and Ford Ballentine (both Orange team stalwarts) departing our community and the University in the coming weeks. As we began to leave the ice, Todd was seen gazing back at the ice and at that moment I felt for him just as I had the other day in the locker room following one of our last Noon-Time skates when Ford informed us that it would be his last skate with us as he could not attend the Season End Game due to another commitment.
Many of the competitors from both sides made their way to the Ratliff's for the after-game party. All found good food, camaraderie, and conversation (o.k., mostly hockey talk). There was talk of the Season End Game, of the great success of this past season of the Men's Varsity Program, and of the different summer hockey leagues in which many of us will play.
The Most Improved Player Award went to Andrew Tucker who edged out Colin Morgan by a single vote (4-3).
There were 9 different nominees for the Spirit of Noon-Time Award. Dave Cylinder received 2 votes to claim the title. It should be noted that although Tommy was declared ineligible for having won the award last year, a strong case was made that the eligibility rule should be waived due to his passion for the game.
MVP for the Season End Game was shared between John Anderson and Abel Kahn.
| Orange | Black |
| Pete Demers -- Captain | Doug Ross -- Captain |
| John Anderson -- Goalie | Robert Natoli -- Goalie |
| Dave Cylinder | Eric Masson |
| Colin Morgan | Ed Muston |
| Cassandra Pugh | Peter Norgaard |
| Pete Krivcov | Adam Hincks |
| Todd Muney | Mike Sharp |
| Steve Mayle | Lukas Urban |
| Karsten Hilpert | Alex Vukasin |
| Mark Ratliff | Tommy Oprzadek |
| Andrew Tucker | Charlie Hatfield |
| Alisdair McKay | Lars Hedin |
| Abel Kahn | Peter Morgan |