These playoffs are blowing everyone's hair back. Unfortunately some more than others. Semi final weekend had tv ratings skyrocket while popcorn and soda were in very high demand at the arena. Shout out to Mary, the waitress upstairs, who is back from maternity leave! Let's unzip this past weekends action.

JUNIOR DIVISION:

Bruins 2 Redwings 1 (shootout): Does anyone have a vhs copy of this game for my collection? The shootout had more rounds than a Friday night at the Day Night Tavern for crying out loud. When the dust settled, Bruins Geoff Chowen scored to advance his team to the cup finals. Slicker than spray butter on a hardwood floor. What a game for the ages.

Penguins 3 Oilers 2: Ross Lacasse scored the game winner with 35 ticks left to lift the Pens into the finals. These teams couldn't be any more even than a pair of lime green socks. Great season, Oilers!

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION:

Flyers 5 Blackhawks 2: This game saw more up and down action that a Taco Bell toilet seat. In the end, the Flyers newly adapted ferocious attack on the puck had Hawk players frustrated. Flyers defense was tighter than a hen's arse all game, and Tymen made all the right saves. Steve "magic sleeves" Kivell with a hatty while Jay "oven mitts" Hoffman dropped a deuce for the winners. Special thanks to Jamison for the post game samples...

Leafs 5 Bruins 2: Bob Tenison stepped on the Bruins heads in the shallow end. 3 goals to blow by the Bruins 5-2 and skate right into the finals. The Bruins played a good game, never rolled over, just ran into a hot goaltender in Bill "don't call me a temp" Templeman. Bruins have some cap space issues heading into this summer but captain Wayne Sliwinski says he has already started preparing for draft day.

MASTERS DIVISION:

Stars 3 Blackhawks 2: This one was crazier than the time Ozzy ate a damn pigeon. 2 powerplays in overtime had all 8 fans jumping up and down like their frisbee was stuck in a tree. In the end, Stars Kelly "bigtime celly"  Rintjema was the ot hero with 30 seconds left in the extra frame. Both goalies played like it was game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, dialed in like the big yellow bag of dirt guy that keeps calling my damn house.

Flames 4 Sharks 2: The Flames threw a stink bomb on the Sharks season with a 4-2 win. Stan "the man" Breznicar with 2 snipes led the way for the red hot Flames who will move on to face the Stars for the cup.

This slugger has a work trip to attend so i will unfortunately miss championship weekend. Good luck to those playing in the finals and i hope everyone has a great summer. Its been a fun season chirping you all on here!

Chris Marttila

Another high-flying weekend of playoff hockey that saw some teams polish the apple for a much needed 2 points while others have a few bumps in the walkway. At any rate, let’s go over the week that was.

JUNIOR DIVISION (March 8^th)

BRUINS 2 FLYERS 0: Roman Bratovz put on a goaltending clinic, stopping 53 shots en route to a 2-0 whitewash of the arch-rival Flyers. This game was crazier than St.Paddy’s Week in Liverpool that saw 16 minutes in penalties doled out by the refs. Geoff “I am outta here” Chowen along with Sean Riley tallied the goals for the Bruins.

PENGUINS 5 BLACKHAWKS 4: a 9-goal barn burner saw the Penguins slip by the Hawks 5-4 in front of a jam-packed arena. Mike Haslam was the games 1^st star with 2 goals and an assist to lead the way. For the Hawks, Nick Troback notched a pair in a losing cause. Haslam has a ton of skill for a potent Penguins team, dirty with the puck, like I mean Holiday Inn hot tub dirty... always finds the game sheet.

OILERS 4 REDWINGS 2: Oilers Jay Dimitroff can shoot the puck, guys. I heard he fired slappers downstairs for 10 hours at the water heater to try and flood the basement... Another 2 goals to spearhead the Oilers over the Wings 4-2. Ryan Aikens had the 2 lone goals for the Redwings...

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION:

BRUINS 4 LEAFS 2: Just your average garden variety hard working playoff game for the Bruins who are peaking at the right time. This time they knocked off the Leafs 4-2, who were brimming with confidence behind their star goalie Bill Templeman and power forward Bob Tenison. Captain Wayne Sliwinski scored a goal and added an apple to cement the victory for the Bruins.

FLYERS 2 BLACKHAWKS 1: Fans waited outside for the Flyer players to emerge so they could get some autographs and photos. Flyers hung on for the big 2-1 victory to enter the hunt for the cup. Flyers “protector of the painted plumbing” Tymen Edelkoort played an amazing game in net. More blocks than a New York street map as the Flyers held off a ferocious attack by the Hawks toward the end of the game. When the final horn sounded, Flyers escaped unscathed and will face the Penguins this weekend. Chris Marttila "The Hun" and Jason “Playboy” Hoffman tallied for the winners.

PENGUINS 7 CANADIENS 6: This game had a bit of everything. Parades to the penalty box and a boatload of goals as the Penguins outlasted the Canadiens 7-6. Troy “Get in the Car” Izlakar was the hero for the Pens, scoring a hatty for the home side. Canadiens were missing Rob Baker, who was at the Butter Tart Festival as a guest judge.

MASTERS DIVISION:

STARS 1 FLAMES 1: Your typical defensive playoff game that would make Larry Robinson wet his jeans. Both goalies deserve the game puck so cut the damn thing in half. Stars Larry Litzgus could score with a pair of 1938 buckle-up skates if he had to. He scored the Stars goal while Rob Frith responded for the Flames. Great game as no fan went home disappointed.

REDWINGS 4 KINGS 1: What’s up with the Kings? Spent more time in the box than Tommy Lee on a Friday night. 5 minors spelled defeat as they need to tighten things up before it’s too late. Wings Vince Mercuri was again out of this world, scoring 2 doozies for the winners. Terry Gudgeon was a tower on the blueline. Kings needed an Uber to get around this guy. Scott Johnson made several tantalizing saves in the Wings crease, turning away more shots than an AA meeting.

BRUINS 5 FLYERS 1: Bruins are back on track, folks. 5-1 win over the Flyers. When the snow finally melted, Bernard “Beef” Boulianne and Gary Guthro each scored 2 for the winning side. Carlo Deluca had the lone snipe for the Flyers who were missing 5 players in a pivotal game.

SHARS 2 BLACKHAWKS 2 What a game! Nationally televised on TvOntario, this one saw both teams wear out the ice from start to finish. Fans chanted “5 more minutes... 5 more minutes” wanting more action but sorry fans, no extra time for these guys. Great matchup.

Well that’s the action from the past few weeks. Play resumes this weekend with some teams needing a big win to move on while others will be shaking teammates hands until next fall. Underdogs are proving anything can happen when playoffs come while favourites are finding it tough to finish games off. Good luck this weekend, fellas!

Chris Marttila

My hip is still sore from falling off the edge of my sofa. Tore through 2 bags of popcorn watching some crazy playoff hockey over the weekend. Pretty close games, no one got their lunches eaten which makes for more fans and tv ratings. Let’s get right to it....

JUNIOR DIVISION:

REDWINGS 3 PENGUINS 2: Ryan “A5-35” Aikens drank 2 Jolt Cola’s and a Red Bull. We had to call Binbrook Fire to cool him off after the game. He even scored a shorty (not what my wife said). Redwings surprise the Penguins 3-2. Wings goalie Lane Dunlop (no relation to Charlestown Chiefs player/coach Reggie Dunlop) saved everything. Hell, this guy could’ve saved my parents marriage for crying out loud... ok maybe not but he would sure try. Close game that had everyone in the stands on their feet for the most part.

FLYERS 2 BLACKHAWKS 2: 8 more minutes of these teams going back and forth would’ve made for some great tv. Both goalies stood on their ears if that’s even possible. Flyers Walt Blagdon brought his usual bag of snakes, scoring a goal and helping out on another. This guy must eat kale and spinach while tying up his twirlers before the game. Hawks Nick Troback forgot to slip the refs a 5-spot before the game, sat in the sin bin twice.

OILERS 6 BRUINS 3: Serving 5 minors and still winning a game is as rare as oyster mushrooms. That’s what the Oil did on this night. Jay “Big Play” Dimitroff dropped a deuce for the winners as they snuck by the Bruins 6-5. More back and forth’s than a ping pong game or a table tennis game, same thing...

Both teams spread the scoring around like a basement party at Cheech & Chong's place. We love the high scoring games but the coaches don’t.

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION:

BRUINS 2 PENGUINS 1: Bruins Glenn Rouse scored the game winner, took home the game puck and is proudly displaying it on the mantle. Bruins squeaked one out 2-1 in a pretty intense playoff game for the ages. Bruins’ goalkeeper James Fielding calls his goal crease the Field of Dreams. He turned the Penguins shooters into a cellphone and pocket dialed the cop shop for robbery to preserve the victory.

BLACKHAWKS 4 CANADIENS 1: 2 power play goals and an empty netter, sounds like a good name for a band. Hawks goalie Steve Cuthbert is playing dirty. So dirty, not even Mens 3 in 1 Axe body wash could clean it up. Imagine thinking one type of body wash can do 3 different types of washing. You gotta be an impressive idiot to fall for that.  Anyways, Canadiens remained on the ice after the game as captain Mike Miscio had his team doing wind sprints until they threw up to show them how bad he wants to win the cup. Watch for a different Habs team next time out.

LEAFS 4 FLYERS 1. Bob Tenison and his grade A grass fed burger passes set up 2 goals as the leafs beat my Flyers 4-1. Bill Templeman and Tymen Edelkoort made 88 saves each but Leafs Alan “pickled” Heron found the twine twice for the winners. Game was closer than Ernie & Bert for the most part before the Leafs scored 3 in the final frame to preserve the W.

MASTERS DIVISION:

BLACKHAWKS 4 FLAMES 4: This game had potential to be a bit spicy. Announced attendance was 8. 8 different scorers found the sheet as hawks clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game. Flames Peter Fantazzo controlled the game. Carved up the ice like Tony Hawk’s skateboard in an empty pool. Both teams had the ice packs out after this one, great playoff intensity.

SHARKS 4 FLYERS 0: Sharks’ Mark Shadwell re-taped his twig before this one, went out there and scored 2 goals, added an assist, then drove the team bus home. Wily veteran goaltender Richard Paquet stopped all 36 shots for the bagel , ate the puck after the game to prove a point. Flyers didn’t allow reporters into the room afterwards as they had a players only meeting to get the ship turned around in a hurry. Expect a better outcome next time, I predict it right now.

REDWINGS 4 BRUINS 1: 4 different players scored for the Wings as they took off against the powerful Bruins 4-1. Scott Johnson turned away 32 shots for the win between the wickets for a hungry Wings team. Vince Mercuri continues his out of this world play, scoring another goal for the winners. Reporters overheard Scott Johnson’s ghetto blaster playing old Scorpions and Helix music before the game to get his team prepared. Big Win. Bruins will be playing some desperate hockey next time out to keep their season alive.

KINGS 4 STARS 2: Kings Joe”Thank you very “Muchynski was a man with a mission out there. This guy ate half a damn lasagna 2 hours before boarding the team bus. Windows were open the whole way to the rink. He made amends by scoring 2 big goals as the Kings shot down the Stars 4-2. Stars’ Chris Baratto was unavailable for comment after the game. He was upset with his pre-game submarine sandwich, they forgot the mustard and he asked for no onions. No one sat beside him on the bench, apparently he will be writing a letter to the sub shop.

Well that washes our hands of a crazy weekend of ice hockey at the ol’ quad pad. Junior playoffs continue Friday evening while the other 2 divisions have the weekend off. Time to heal some playoff wounds and get ready for the final push. Enjoy the rest of the week, Keep your damn stick on the ice, fellas.

Chris Marttila

A new Navigation menu option Insurance has been created on the left hand side below the Jim Mercanti option and above the Replacement Players option.

This is a pull-down menu with the following selections :

Accident Claim Form - print this form and submit a claim

Printable Insurance Card - print this personal card

Certificate of Insurance - copy of our league insurance certificate

These are all in PDF format - you will require a PDF reader to view/print.