While I'm not blogging much any more, the Gang Green blog has moved to http://ganggreen.ning.com.

The preseason of ass-kicking continues.

The E level champions, The Cold Ones, stayed in E and the team they beat, Albondigas, moved up to DDDD.  Figure that out and win a prize.

The theme of this game was for us to have a decent attack in their zone and then follow that up with a break away for them that resulted in a score.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  That happened twice in the first period.  One of the goals was a SH goal.

The second period opened up with our lone score, a nice feed from Damon to Inga.  They followed out goal with two more of their own.  In the third period they just toyed with us.  They were probably trying to be nice and not run up the score, but it's insulting anyway.

They had 30 shots to our 14.  Yuck.  We had three penaltied to their two.  One of their new players (98) scored two goals.  Remember him for next time.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
Inga	1	0	1
Damon	0	1	1

The duck scored four goals against us.

This game isn't really worth recapping since it was preseason, so this will be short. 

The Cougars came stacked with a bunch of new players.  I counted only three original Cougars uniforms among the green and red uniforms from the other teams that joined.  Some of their new players were from a roller team.

We scored first at 15:21 on Randy's goal with an assist from Jay.  They didn't score in the first period.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the second period.  They scored twice, first at 17:21 and 9:35.  Or did they score three times?  Much time was wasted as the Cougars bench argued with the refs and scorekeeper that the score should be 4-1 at that point.  Even after being reminded that this was preseason and the stats are counted, Deviny and company wanted the score corrected.

In the third period they scored three, or four, more goals, depending on how you scored the second period.  One was on a 5 on 3 power play.  While I was in the box for that PK, the scorekeeper let me know that some of the Cougar players are playing on C level teams.  I'll check it out as soon as I can see the other teams' rosters.

Shots were not counted, but the Cougars 7th goal was on their 34th shot.  We had five penalties to their one and they scored that single PP goal.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
Randy	1	0	1
Jay	0	1	1

The duck was still on vacation in the Bahamas.

Welcome to another season of Gang Green ice hockey!

Here are the details for this season:

1. Logitech Ice is now called Sharks Ice of San Jose.  Don't confuse itwithSharks Ice of Fremont.  Same owners, different rinks and leagues.
   
2. Welcome new players!
1. Welcome Mike Kim!  Mike will be playing D for us.  He used to play in high school,thengot old, like most of us.
2. Welcome back Hoche!  Back from beyond Thunderdome.
3. Also welcome back Midi!  We're getting the band back together!
   
3. USA Hockey registration from last season are not good this season.  Everyone needs to go to the website and register.
1. It costs $32 and will last through Aug 2008.
2. Send me your regisration number so I can add you to the official roster.
   
4. If you haven't played for Logitech Sharks Ice before then you need to sign their waiver form.  If you signed it last season then it's still good.  I willalsobring blank forms to the first couple of games.
   
5. League Fees:
1. Pay me, not the league.  I'm not using the online payment system.
   
2. Cost:
1. Fulltime: $500
2. Halftime: $250
3. Sub: $20/game
3. Payments:
   
1. Bring check (to me) to first game.
• Make check out to: Kevin Chu
  
2. Paypal: klchu@yahoo.com
• MUST BE PAYPAL to PAYPAL!  No credit cards!
  
6. Web Links:
1. Gang Green schedule
2. Team Standings and other stats
3. Team blog (includes lots of these links)
   
4. Google Calendars
1. Gang Green
2. Other Teams (more for me than you, but if it's helpful...)
   
5. Sharks Ice of San Jose Adult Ice Hockey
• Waiver Form
6. USA Hockey
7. Thursday night Bladerunners Practice Ice
• Play with DDD team.
  
7. Game Sign Ups
1. We will continue to use Evite
2. RSVP yes or no.
3. Subs reply maybe if you can sub.  You will be contacted if we need you, at which timeyoushould RSVP yes.
4. If you don't get evite email, let me know.
8. Subs
1. Fees: $20 per game
2. Please try and pay the day of the game.
3. See Game Sign Ups for evite process.
4. NEW / IMPORTANT:
   
• Due to the limit of 25 players I will have to juggle roster spots for subs soyouappear on the signup sheet.  Sometime during the season the roster willlockand I'll have to cut the roster to 25 names.  The subs with the lowestnumberof games will have to be cut.  Sorry.
  
9. Halftime Players
1. Most of you will have a partner.
2. Try to coordinate with your partner as to who will play each game.
3. Yes, the schedule doesn't go that far ahead, but do the best you can.
4. If you're not playing, but can play, RSVP maybe to the evite to be added to the sub pool.  You will be contacted ifyou'reneeded.
   
10. League and USA Hockey Rule Changes:
• TBA - After Captains' meeting on Sep 5.
11. Roster
    
1. This is the current roster.  Let me know if there are anycorrectionsneeded.  If you haven't let me know about next season, please do so ASAP.
2. Get me those USA Hockey registration numbers!  I use that numbertoofficially add you to the roster.  I can't add you without it.
   

This was our best game of the year, even though we ultimately lost in the shootout.  Sadly, we were bitten by the injury bug.  Tony was already out with his wrist and last week we lost both Inga and Ken.  So, we started with just 8 skaters.  We rotated just 3 D the entire game and 5 wings until John showed up.

Once John did show up he quickly made his presence known when he broke down the right side for the unassisted goal.  John score at 15:12 and our lead held until the 6:35 mark on a goal I can't remember.  We then lost the lead with just 1:02 on the clock when a shot hit Lou's stick but still made it into the net.  Both goals were assisted by their main ringer (29).

Neither team scored in the second perios and play seemed to slow down just a bit.  But in the third, and during a penalty kill (for us), #29 skated through everyone and scored.  Things didn't look too good for us, especially after not being able to score on a six minute power play.  But with time running out John took the puck to the corner.  He saw the goalie cheating a bit so John fired a shot from behind the goal line that bounced off the post, the goalie, and then in.  Game tied at 2:42.

Both teams played conservatively for the remainder of regulation, and for the 5 minute overtime (again we couldn't score on a power play).  So then came the shootout and as the home team they selected to go second.  We missed our first four attempts and they made their first and fourth, so that was it.

They had 24 shots to our 20.  We had two penalties to their four, but we couldn't score and they got one PP goal.

Update: The Albondigas ultimately lost to The Cold Ones in the championship game.  I guess we wore them out.  :-)

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
John	2	1	3
D.Diggs	1	1	2

The duck goes to John for his hard work.  Honorable mention to Christin for taking a vicious hit and (eventually) being able to play.  Thanks to the one Albondigas player who came over to render medical aid.

That was a nice, strong win to start the playoffs.  We jumped to an early lead and then played tough to hold on to that lead.  We also did a good job of staying out of the box (most of us anyway) and not retaliating.

Dave started the scoring early at 18:12.  Taking a feed from his brother he drove down the left boards and drove in for the score.  Brother Chris got into the action and made the Demons pay for a penalty at 11:56.  Linemate John, not to be left out of the scoring, made a perfect pass from behind the net to a slashing Dave for our third goal of the period (4:09).

In the second period we sat on our lead a bit and the Demons pressed hard.  The result was a well-earned goal at 16:22.

The Demons maintained that pressure in the third, but we notched things back up to meet them.  Dave scored his third goal, on the powerplay, at 10:18.  That three goal lead was enough for us to play a conservative defense for the remainder of the game.  They pulled their goalie and Steve was able to steal the puck in their zone and score an easy EN goal with 46 seconds left.  No cheap goals for Steve!

We had 27 shots to their 23.  They had 6 penalties to our 5, but we scored two PP goals.  We were the 5th seed and they were the 4th seed, so upset!  Green alumnus Fuz returned to watch the game, drink beer and discuss Canadian hockey.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
D.Diggs	3	0	3
C.Diggs	1	1	2
Steve	1	0	1
John	0	1	1

The duck goes to Dave for his hat trick, but also to Inga for playing with a broken foot!  Yes, she broke it earlier in the game, but never took her boot off.  They played another game, and then played with Gang Green.  That's 2+ games with a broken foot.  Top that Chuck Norris!

What a difference a goalie makes!  In our second consecutive game versus Team Beer we had a short bench, but just enough to rally a come-from-behind win to get us into the playoffs.

We had 9 skaters so we rotated three D trying to focus on offence.  Having just played us last week, Team Beer was quick to key on Dave (even going so far as to ask if he was playing while we were still getting dressed before the game).  The result was a scoreless first period with both teams getting a few quality shots. 

The first goal of the game was ours and it came as the result of a power play in the second period.  Our ringer combo of Baldwin to Christin provided the fireworks at 14:03.  We held on to the lead as long as we could.  But with just 10 seconds left we couldn't clear the puck and blind-passed right to their player waiting at the face off dot.  He burried the gift to tie the game.

Before the 3rd period started John was able to unexpectedly show up and give us two full lines and some fresh legs.  At first it didn't help as Team Beer took the lead at 16:24 when we, again, couldn't clear the puck and gave then 5 or 6 good whacks at Lou.  With our playoff hopes dwindling, Tim took charge and he was able to perfectly feed Dave cutting across the goal.  Dave was then tripped, but still managed to score while falling down.  Time of goal: 9:36.  Then our real ringer took over: Baldwin took a spinning pass from John and flicked the puck off the post and into the net at 7:31 for the evental game-winner.  Team Beer then helped our cause by getting a two penalties at 6:01 to eat three minutes off the clock.  They pulled they goalie (while we were in their zone?) but we were able to hold them off.

We outshot them 21 to 17.  They had five penalties to our two, and we scored one PP goal.  This win should put us into the playoffs at either 5th or 6th place, depending on how (current) 6th place Ice Hawks did against 1st place Albondigas.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
Baldwin	1	1	2
Christin	1	0	1
D.Diggs	1	0	1
Tim	0	1	1
John	0	1	1

Another team duck, but kudos to John for making it and to Baldwin for his two-point, gaming-winning-goal-scoring ringerfest.

We had full lines, but no goalie, and Team Beer had a goalie, but only 7 skaters.  So considering that, we played an excellent game.  We might have even been able to win if we hadn't made a few mistakes. 

We scored two quick goals, at 17:52 and 16:53.  The first from Dave and the second from Steve.  Perhaps we lost our adrenaline rush because we then allowed two goals (EN, of course) at 15:40 and 12:41.  One of them was a slapshot from outside the blueline, so no points for sportsmanship there.

We regained the lead at 16:04 in the second on a tic-tac-goal shot from Damon.  But Team Beer scored again at 4:46 to tie it up.

We were unable to score again and two mistakes lead to easy shots and goals for Beer at 12:39 and 7:44.

We still got 36 shots on them (we don' get saves, so they only had 5, technically).  We had four penalties to their three.  We didn't allow any PP goals, so that's pretty good for having to goalie.  Here is the online scoresheet.


Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
D.Diggs	1	0	1
Steve	1	0	1
Damon	1	0	1
Roger	0	1	1
Christin	0	1	1
Kevin	0	1	1

The duck goes to everyone!

This was almost a great comeback game.  After falling behind 2 - 0 we roared back to tie the game.  But a disputed goal cost us in the end.  Still, we played a strong game against the first place team, so a great effort from all.

Albondigas scored twice in the first, at 11:52 and 4:01.  We tied the game in the second, however.  Dave scored the first goal with an assist from John.  That line (along with C.Diggs) had some great chances all night long.  Just minutes after Dave's goal Inga scored with assists from Phess and Larry.  It was a "4th time's the charm" type of goal.

In the third period it was scoreless until 16:20.  Lou stopped a shot taken from behind the net.  The ref blew his whistle (and did not indicate a goal), Lou stood up and the puck fell into the goal.  The ref, just now skating behind the net, saw the puck and signaled a goal.  Sigh.

We outshot them 23 to 19.  We had just one penalty to their two (both from the same guy: #33).  No team scored a PP goal.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
D.Diggs	1	0	1
Inga	1	0	1
John	0	1	1
Phess	0	1	1
Larry	0	1	1

The duck goes to C.Diggs for braving the traffic from Sacramento.

Another short bench game, but this time we did have two full lines eventually.  But the real adventure started well before the first puck drop.  The San Jose Giants were playing next door and the parking was 10 time worse than with other Giants games.  I'm not sure why.  Also, once you parked illegally somewhere, if you made it to the front door you were sent away to walk all the way around to the back door (unless you rolled your spot check and noticed the secret door slightly propped open to the north rink).

As for the game itself we did rather well.  With only three D in the house Steve took a turn a playing defenseman and then C.Diggs took over.  John "I'm going to suspend myself for two additional games" Boswell started the scoring at the 8:02 mark.  We would hang onto that slim goal until the third period!

But before that, we had to fend off a few penalties.  The refs called quite a few penalties, but pretty much all of them were valid.  There was some 5 on 3 and 4 on 3 action.  At one time both teams had two men in the box.  In the end we were able to kill them all off.  John did get penalized for getting hit in the chin and bleeding, and Dave was penalized for getting checked, and they having his stick hit the other guy while he was falling.  At least the called the other guy in both those cases.

Dave opened the third period with a breakaway goal at 18:35.  He got another goal at 15:53 with an assist from John.  Some good goaltending from their goalie kept Dave from racking up even more points.  As the third period wore on they started to get really chippy and whiny.  They also racked up 7 penalties of their own, leading to one PP goal and the nullification of their own PP.  The did manage their single goal at 2:14 in the third on a pretty nice play.

At the very end of the game, with just 11 seconds left, their #13 tried to take Dave out.  To Dave's credit he did not retaliate, but just lay on the ice while the guy tried to punch him.  And to the refs' credit, they recognized this!  #13 got a major for cross checking (which comes with a GM) and the refs didn't penalize Dave at all.  They even conferred with each other and I heard one ref tell the other "I didn't see 26 to anything."  For all of the grief we give refs, I must now give them props for getting that call perfect.

They had 23 shots to our 19.  We had 8 penalties to their 11, but they really had 9 since the major counts as two and that put them over 10, so they get the team game misconduct.

Scoring:

Player	G	A	Pts
D.Diggs	2	0	2
John	1	1	2

The duck goes anyone who could find parking.  Thanks to Santi for subbing in net.