(vol.
16W, no. 8; newsletter by b.n.)
I would be remiss if I didn't write the newsletter
for the final regular season game of the Winter 2003-2004 season. I would
also be remiss if I didn't tell you about Mike Farrell. Yes, I know, Mike
Farrell seems to get all the coverage in the newsletter, even when he is
not leading the team in goal-scoring (an honor shared between Scott Miller
and non-rostered player Jimmy Ferraro). Mike didn't even lead the team in
points (an honor once-again shared between Scott Miller and #67 — wait
that can't be right!). So why is it so important that Mike Farrell gets
mentioned in the newsletter? Is it his stunning personality? Hah! That's
a good one. No, it seems that Mike's hockey exploits have nothing to do
with the importance of his
mention in the newsletter. There should be a link around here somewhere
... well, enough about Mike ... at least for the time being. Let's talk
about my favorite player (other than Mike of course!) #67! To say that #67
is overexposed is an understatement. #67 seems to get covered no matter
how bad he plays, but like a clock that runs backwards (and is right at
least twice a day), #67 seems to have about two decent games a season (that
is unless the Pirates only play the Geriatrics once, and then #67 has only
one good game). Who could forget the last time the Pirates played the Geriatrics?
Well, just in case you did, the game marked one of those rare occasions
when #67's play was actually worthy of mention in the newsletter. So as
the regular season came to a close, another game against the Geriatrics
loomed on the horizon.
The game opened with the line of #67-Miller Bros. on offense with Mike Farrell-Keith
on “D.” Before the first shift was even over, #67 picked-up a
goal on a feed from Mike, and Evan picked-up a goal on a pass from from
#67 behind the net (second assist to Keith). The next offensive line of
Wildman-Jimmy-Chris kept things going with a nice job of passing with Keith
hitting Chris, who in turn fed Jimmy for his first goal of the night. It
seemed like the rout was on. That is until someone turned the puck over
and the Geriatrics were able to climb back in the game with a goal to make
it 3-1. But that would be about as close as the Geriatrics would make it;
shortly thereafter, #67 tried skating around the Gerry “D,” but
with them hanging all over him #67 worked the puck to Mike who picked-up
the easy score. Still later in the 1st period it was Scott Miller who fired
a shot in on substitute Geriatric goalie Doug Collimore; Doug made the initial
save, but #67 was there on the doorstep swatting the puck into the net for
his second goal of the period. Score after the 1st period: Pirates 5, Geriatrics
1.
No one really cares about the game, really. They just care about Mike. Did
everyone read his article? Okay, for the couple people that care, in the
2nd period Jimmy took a great feed from Wildman and buried the puck for
his second tally of the evening. Later in the 2nd, Wildman hit Jimmy along
the far boards, and then Jimmy hit Chris who was streaking to the net for
a great one-timer. Before the period was out, #67 picked-up a puck off the
face-off and threw it to Scott Miller who was able to outrun the Geriatrics
to their net for the score. The Geriatrics, however, were able to score
another goal (“Another minus for #67,” according to Russ), but
who cares. Score
after the 2nd period: Pirates 7, Geriatrics 2.
Isn't Mike great?
In the 3rd, Evan hit his bro Scott (for his second of the night) with a
feed from the corner that Scott one-timed to the back of the net. The Geriatrics
got yet another goal, but as I said earlier, who cares. Jimmy Ferraro had
a great chance for the hattrick at the end of the game when he broke in
on a 3-on-1, but instead of shooting, Jimmy tried to pull off a nifty backhand
pass; unfortunately for Jimmy, the pass was behind his linemates (Jimmy
could have easily scored on the play, but he said after the game that he
could not live with himself if he shot the puck on a 3-on-1). Jimmy's unselfishness
saved the Pirates a major embarrassment: If he would have scored, he would
have led the team in goals for the regular season and won the Richard Trophy
— not bad for a player that isn't even on the roster. Has everyone
read Mike's article? I thought the most telling part was when Mike said
“Without all those penalties we could have blown everyone away.”
Sure Mike, and if you scored a few more goals, you would have lead the team
in scoring!
[ click on page to download PDF ]
