R2005F Week 2: Handy Skaters 3, Reapers 2

A discombobulated third period team defensive display marred an otherwise stellar performance by the Reapers. Hence, a 2-1 lead evaporated into a 3-2 loss. Many offensive opportunities for Reaper skaters, but sometimes that's just the way the puck flutters.

Making their way onto the Reaper scoresheet were Mr. Metcalf and Steve, who was a monster even though he was still wrought with the effects of illness. It was a tremendous effort by all, but we were a little thin on the bench, and had a little steam let out of us in the final frame.

Just what we need

I'm going to pick these up when I get paid. I think applying these techniques will help our game big time.

R2005F Week 1: Hooligans 10, Reapers 1

About the best thing that can be said about this game is that we weren't mercied AND we avoided the shutout.

Mr. Metcalf netted the lone goal, and for the entire first period, we played even with the opposition. In the second period, the floodgates opened, and the result was a rash of goals against. New Reaper goaile Shaun played admirably, but the Hooligans were just too much for us on this hockey night, and he was left to face a steady stream of odd-man rushes. When we did have offensive opportunities, more often than not, the Hooligan netminder stymied our forwards and shots from the point.

Hopefully, the Reaper squad can recharge and regroup for next week's opponent, the Handy Skaters. Here's some items we should take heed, and I'm certain you all have some thoughts on how we can improve our team play — so by all means, please add to this non-exhaustive laundry list.

• Turnovers at center rink (the area around the red line between the high slot dots) and blind passes into the center of the rink from way deep in the opponent zone nearly always results in an odd man breakout for the opposing team. I know I've repeated this admonition ad-nauseum, but I will continue to do so until we get it right. If you are uncertain what to do with the puck at center rink and are being pressured, fire it in deep. If you must make a "blind" pass when you're deep in the attack zone, when in doubt, use the goalie skates as a target. This is Hockey 101, at least the goalie skate target, the other deal with center rink is critical because of the nature of roller hockey vs. ice hockey (i.e., more difficult to pivot and change direction).
  
  
• Forwards need to skate hard for the duration of their entire shift, and if possible, change it up frequently. Skate hard on the forecheck and backcheck, and good things will happen with a counter transition game.
  
  
• Defensemen need to communicate with eachother and with the goalie.
  
  
• Forwards need to backcheck, or at least slow the enemy attack through the center rink.
  
  
• Let's not get deflated when we're down more than a few goals. Keep playing for next goal, no matter the score. It's natural to have some spirit extracted from you when the score starts getting ugly, but focusing on next goal is a good approach. And in this game, it's not entirely impossible to string together in quick succession a sequence of next goals that gets us back in the game.
  
  
• All skaters should develop an awareness of where everyone else is at (i.e, one D-man plays puck in corner, other covers the slot area, or forward hanging back when a D-man makes an offensive rush) and anticipate plays better.

I wish not to single out individual play — I believe we're all hustling hard for the most part. We keep working and we'll continue to improve. But if we play better as a team, it will elevate our increased ability in individual play into a greater probability of victory. Which is much sweeter to taste than defeat.

Reapers Rollerplex 2005 Fall C Sunday League Roster

#	Pos	Name
2	D	D.THAGGARD
5	D	TRIFANOFF
13	F	EFFINGER
28	D	METCALF
35?	G	S.ROSANDIC
52	D	TSCHILAR
65	F	SHIELDS
77	F	SPIZARNY
89?	F	WICKERT
99?	F	T.THAGGARD

Spoke with Scott Effinger today, and he had called Tim M. earlier in the week to inquire about rejoining the Vineyard squad, or our new incarnation as "the Reapers". He assured me that he is committed to the team, with the exception of some early Sunday games (prior to 6p) that may conflict with work. Unless, there is a strong objection to his presence… …but having another skater available will be an asset, I believe, especially if somebody else (I'm hoping that isn't the case!) flakes out on us.

Left a message for Roger W., he has not returned my call of yet. When I spoke to him last week, he said he would play, but needed to go week-to-week on the league fees.

Don't have jersey numbers for our new goalie and our new offensive stud (no, not you Steve-O :)).

And can somebody give Chris a call to alert him of our game time, not sure if I have the correct phone number but I will give him a ring — he didn't make it to Wednesday night Chilly Bomber game.

Rollerplex 2005 Fall C Sunday League Schedule

*** Home Team is Listed First ***

Sunday, 08/21/05
4:30pm Scrubs vs Hurricanes
5:25pm Pimpjuice vs SMH
6:20pm Devils vs Team Orange
7:15pm Hooligans vs Reapers
8:10pm OMR vs Scrappy Dogs
9:05pm Cluster Pucks vs Team A.M.
10:00pm Handy Skaters vs Road Warriors

Sunday, 08/28/05
4:30pm Team A.M. vs OMR
5:25pm Road Warriors vs Cluster Pucks
6:20pm Reapers vs Handy Skaters
7:15pm Hurricanes vs Devils
8:10pm Team Orange vs Pimpjuice
9:05pm Scrappy Dogs vs Hooligans
10:00pm SMH vs Scrubs

Sunday, 09/04/05 -- NO GAMES -- HAPPY LABOR DAY

Sunday, 09/11/05
4:30pm Handy Skaters vs Scrappy Dogs
5:25pm Scrubs vs Team Orange
6:20pm Hurricanes vs SMH
7:15pm Devils vs Pimpjuice
8:10pm Hooligans vs Team A.M.
9:05pm Road Warriors vs Reapers
10:00pm Cluster Pucks vs OMR

Sunday, 09/18/05
4:30pm Scrappy Dogs vs Road Warriors
5:25pm Reapers vs Cluster Pucks
6:20pm OMR vs Hooligans
7:15pm Team A.M. vs Handy Skaters
8:10pm SMH vs Devils
9:05pm Team Orange vs Hurricanes
10:00pm Pimpjuice vs Scrubs

Sunday, 09/25/05
4:30pm SMH vs Team Orange
5:25pm Devils vs Scrubs
6:20pm Hurricanes vs Pimpjuice
7:15pm Cluster Pucks vs Hooligans
8:10pm Road Warriors vs Team A.M.
9:05pm Handy Skaters vs OMR
10:00pm Reapers vs Scrappy Dogs

Sunday, 10/02/05
4:30pm Team A.M. vs Reapers
5:25pm Hooligans vs Handy Skaters
6:20pm Scrappy Dogs vs Cluster Pucks
7:15pm OMR vs Road Warriors
8:10pm Hurricanes vs Scrubs
9:05pm SMH vs Pimpjuice
10:00pm Team Orange vs Devils

Sunday, 10/09/05
4:30pm Devils vs Hurricanes
5:25pm Pimpjuice vs Team Orange
6:20pm Scrubs vs SMH
7:15pm Cluster Pucks vs Handy Skaters
8:10pm Scrappy Dogs vs Team A.M.
9:05pm Road Warriors vs Hooligans
10:00pm Reapers vs OMR

Sunday, 10/16/05
4:30pm Road Warriors vs Handy Skaters
5:25pm Reapers vs Hooligans
6:20pm Scrappy Dogs vs OMR
7:15pm Pimpjuice vs Devils
8:10pm Team Orange vs Scrubs
9:05pm SMH vs Hurricanes
10:00pm Team A.M. vs Cluster Pucks

Sunday, 10/23/05 -- NO GAMES -- HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AT ROLLERPLEX

Sunday, 10/30/05
4:30pm Devils vs SMH
5:25pm Scrubs vs Pimpjuice
6:20pm Hurricanes vs Team Orange
7:15pm OMR vs Team A.M.
8:10pm Cluster Pucks vs Road Warriors
9:05pm Handy Skaters vs Reapers
10:00pm Hooligans vs Scrappy Dogs

Sunday, 11/06/05
4:30pm OMR vs Cluster Pucks
5:25pm Scrappy Dogs vs Handy Skaters
6:20pm Team A.M. vs Hooligans
7:15pm Reapers vs Road Warriors
8:10pm Team Orange vs SMH
9:05pm Scrubs vs Devils
10:00pm Pimpjuice vs Hurricanes

Sunday, 11/13/05
Playoffs -- to be determined

Sunday, 11/20/05
Championship games -- to be determined

NEW LEAGUE WILL BEGIN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 2005

New schedule is available at Rollerplex.com

First game is 7:15 against the hooligans. Note. That the chode warriors are still in our division and we have to play those raging homos twice. Also note. They are going down like a french flag in Paris.

Vineyard Hockey Goalie News and Other Notes

Received a phone call from Mr. Tim M. on Sunday, and he has notified me that we have procured the services of his cousin to serve as netminder for our Fall 2005 Rollerplex campaign.

Mr. Don, I do not have Matt's phone number, and if possible, could you call him and advise him of our first game, this coming Sunday, August 21? Or you can have me call if you wish.

Here is a tentative lineup sheet:

F Shields
F Spizarny
F Ti.Rosandic
F Ro.Wickert
D DThaggard
D Metcalf
D Trifanoff
D Tschilar
G S.Rosandic

Update: Tim M. spoke with Matt, who has advised that he will not play this season. And Tim M. relayed to me that Uncle Tim will take his spot on the roster and will commit to play.

Rollerplex Adult Open Hockey — 8/12/05

I shall be there to participate, this evening. Hopefully, you lads will join me in what shall be a great session of hockey.

Tonight, at 10 pm — be there or be a kwijybo.

Rollerplex Summer 2005 C League Championship

Road Warriors are victorius, beating Scrappy Dogs (2nd straight season Scrappy Dogs are runner ups) for the championship.

In the consolation bracket, Phunk Junkies defeat Git-R-Done to capture the crown of the second division realm. Phunk Junkies won the first division championship last season, but settle for consolation kings this season.

Scrubs beat the Hurricanes for C Advanced championship.

Reaper Jersey Player Chart

#	Name
1	ROSENFELD
2	THAGGARD
5	TRIFANOFF
28	METCALF
30	WICKERT
52	TSCHILAR
65	SHIELDS
77	SPIZARNY

Time is ticking, and I'd like to the order in so our jerseys are delivered before the start of the season, so please perform review and final notification of your number selection.

Rollerplex Drop in hockey tonight!!!

I'm going to be there tonight for reals.

Maybe Scooter might make an appearance... well, that is if he's not downloading gay porn.

Hopefully I'll see the rest of the soon to be Reapers there as well.

Big pimpin' and spendin' tha cheese.

<--- Me when i was 3.

Arizona Sports Complex Open Hockey

Tonight it is at 5 pm, lasting to 6 pm. I called and asked if this was the regular open hockey time slot and the response was no, that scheduling of open hockey was a variable deal and changed every week. To which I asked if this information is posted or could be posted on their website. To which the response was no, it is not done.

How incredibly lame.

Reaper Jersey Draft 1

Playoff Round #1: Road Warriors 6, Vineyard 5

Crusaders conclude the season with a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the number one seeded Road Warriors. After a gritty, defensive first period where the Road Warriors took a 1-0 nothing lead, the second period was almost completely owned by the opposition, and they skated to a 5-1 lead. Third period brought renewal to the Vineyard squad, and we narrowed the margin to a goal just under the two minute remaining mark. However, we couldn't nab the tying goal to send the contest to overtime. And I feel terrible about a goal allowed while I was on shift, in the third period, as I failed to break up a 3 on 1.

As far as the goal scoring breakdown, I don't have the exact numbers to report, but know that Colin snagged a couple and Scott scored on a huge slapshot that just lifted our spirts and revitalized our chances for victory. The game was marred with some physical confrontations, including a ten minute misconduct for an opposing player who, as he was departing, called us "fags".

Thanks, everybody, it was a joy to skate with you all. Hopefully, I will see everybody in uniform for next season. I probably will create another blog site if we do indeed change our team name.

Stay tuned for some updates in the coming days regarding new uniforms and new web home.