Associated Press Hockey Wire
Note: The Associated Press apologizes to subscribers for the lateness of this piece on the Morning Hockey Club Cardinal Richelieu Cup playoffs. Our regular MHC correspondent, R. Inkrat, has just filed it. His excuse was he had to work all day Monday on his “regular job.” We understand that with an event of such worldwide sports interest this is a serious delinquency on our part. Appropriate disciplinary actions have been taken. We assure our loyal subscribers this will not happen again. We also apologize for any errors or incomplete edits that may have resulted from Inkrat’s late submission and our limited time to correct his mistakes or strike editorial type comments. Thank you for your understanding.
GOLD WEASELS COMPLETE RICHELIEU SWEEP
FALMOUTH, MAINE, MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2011 – The Morning Hockey Club Gold Weasels that are rodent like and smell like ferrets had the sweep brooms out this morning in game four of the coveted Richelieu Cup Playoffs, downing the Blue Dogs in a thrilling 6-5 contest before an enthusiastic crowd. Veteran Gold backstopper Brian Linscott celebrated both the cup win and his 50th birthday (egad, that’s old) in style. Surrounded by teammates, Linscott said, “What a great way to start my birthday celebration, and I played a good game, too. No, really. I did. What?”
Gold began the scoring and Blue answered and then took a 2-1 lead. Gold tied it on a freak play as Blue defenseman Bryan Dench accidentally tipped a centering pass into his own goal, leaving brilliant Blue goaltender Walt Leland helpless. “I completely sucked today and let my team down,” Dench lamented after the game. Given the one goal margin of Gold’s victory, it would be hard to argue with his assessment.
The score was then tied 3-3 before goals by Matt “Dipsy-Doodle-Dandy” Noone and Tom Golebiewski put the Weasels up 5-3. But the Hounds did not relent. They got to within a goal again at 5-4, before Noone’s empty net goal, with Leland pulled for an extra attacker, gave Gold a 6-4 lead and provided the ultimate margin of victory.
Never say die Blue team leader Gerry Nadeau scored with just over a minute left to bring the Biog Blue back to within one at 6-5 but there the tally stayed to the final buzzer, and the Gold Weasels celebrated at their end of the ice while the Hounds in Blue waited for the ceremonial handshake at center ice.
Gold netminder and Vespucci Trophy winner Jim Secunde was characteristically gracious after the win, “There was a lot of good play out there today, and I didn’t feel I really did that good a job to help my team,” he said, “but winning the Richelieu Cup is the most exciting thing I have done today.” The Gold players posed for the traditional post game photo with little evident gloating, though standout Gold defender Gary Ouellette kept his helmet on, so it was hard to see.
An official ceremony for the awarding of the Richelieu trophy, which is in league custody pending the official event, will be scheduled in the near future at which time the undeserving lucky bastard Gold Weasels will get it. Meanwhile the MHC is announcing the following individual awards:
King Kong Memorial - Awarded to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. Matt Fitzgerald, Gold Weasels.
Bat Masterson Memorial - Awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Ashely Richards, Blue Dogs.
James Morrison Memorial - Awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position. Peter Carlisle, Blue Dogs.
Vespucci Trophy - Awarded to the league's top goaltender. James “Red Light” Secunde, Gold Weasels.
Roger Rabbit Saving Grace Award - Awarded to the goaltender who has the highest save percentage. Walt “The Wall” Leland, Blue Dogs.
Lady Godiva Memorial Trophy - Awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. Eric Lagios, Blue Dogs.
Ted Bundy Award - Awarded to the MHC's outstanding player as selected by the members of the MHC Players Association. Leo “The Lion” Iacopucci, Blue Dogs.
Art Dross Trophy - Awarded to the player who leads the league in total points at the end of the regular season. Tom Golebiewski, Gold Weasels.
Heartless Memorial Trophy – Awarded to the league’s overall most valuable player. Peter “Pete” Eremita, Gold Weasels.
Conn Jobb Trophy - Awarded to the most valuable player for his team in the playoffs. Matt “Dipsy-Doodle-Dandy” Noone, Gold Weasels.
General Manager of the Year Award – Awarded to the top MHC General Manager. Gerald “Gerry” Nadeau. Blue Dogs.
Make It Messier Leadership Award - Awarded to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice. JJ Mokarzel, Blue Dogs.
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