It's Going to Game Five! Blue Evens the Series

If you told someone around Christmas time that Blue would be playing in Game 5 of the finals against Green they would have told you to check into 105 Pleasant Street for some electro-shock therapy. Who's CRAZY now! Last night Blue silenced the doubters with a 4 to 3 victory over number one seeded Green to push the series to a fifth and final game on St. Patrick's day. Green can only hope that the "Wearing O the Green" next thursday will be their lucky charm. Tickets went on sale this morning for next week's thrilling climax and the "Doug" was sold out before lunch time.
Last night Green jumped out to an early two goal lead, but Blue battled back to finally put one past rookie goalie "Smitty" who was called up late from the minors to fill in for the "Kennys" who have minded the nets all season. The move which raised some eyebrows among critics of Gary "Toe" Blake looked like sheer genious as the young netminder was flawless in the first period against wave after wave of Blue attackers. The ice looked like it was tilted down towards the Green end. "Green was hanging on for dear life", said Kurt "Kaiser" Gillies the ruggedly handsome stay-at-home defenseman for Blue. Green added another goal late in the period and things began to look dire for Blue. A nasty blind side hit from Green "goon" Dave "The Hammer" Palisi on defenseman Jim "Hazy" Hayes only served to fire up Blue. Jeff "Kano" Kane called the hit "a typical Hammer cheap shot". "This guys been getting away with this stuff for years and league officials won't do anything about it", Kane added. Finally, mid-way into the second period, Blue got on the board when Tom "Shemp" Champagne took a feed from Mike "The Great One" Farrelly who was parked in his "office" behind the net and Shemp jammed it home past the young netminder. "Smitty is the son of former goaltending legend Brian "Smitty" Smith now known as "The Voice of Black Ice". "The kid was incredible", said Dan "Too Late" Early who locked his keys in his car in order to take the focus off the Green loss. "If it wasn't for this kid standing on his head all night we may have lost by twenty goals", said Tom "Painch" Painchaud who finally got in the loss column for the first time this playoff season. Green was powerless against a hungrier Blue squad which was not to be denied a game 5. Tom "TC" Carroll scored a hat trick to secure the win for Blue. TC is likely to win the scoring title this season. He was given the "game chair" for a record fifth time this season. "When the game is on the line, TC is the guy you want on the ice", said linemate Todd "Philby" Philbrick. Philby and Clint each had a pair of assists. Tom "Harry" Harrison kept Blue in contention by making timely saves when needed. He stopped all but three of Green's four shots. Blue was happy to get the crucial road win and to force a deciding game five.
An ugly incident occured after the game however. The blue uniforms were stolen from the locker room and police say they have a lead but are not sure of the name or whereabouts of the suspect. A sercurity camera recorded this photo of the suspect and police are asking for your help in identifing him. Call 1 800 thusday if you might know this man.

On a brighter note; former Minnesota Governor and presidential hopeful Tim "The Big P" Pawlenty came to the Capital City as part of his tour around the U.S. and to raise awareness about the trial of the White's Pond Duo. He said, "If I am elected president my first act will be to pass a law that will mandate all municipalities to let old hockey players determine when pond ice is thick enough to skate on." He went on to say, " Minnesota may be "The State of Hockey" but Concord is the cradle of hockey in the U.S. It all started here in Concord and I think if we are going to have a hockey playing president then it is only fitting that I should kick off my campaign here." The presidential candidate made sure his trip to Concord included watching Thursday Night Hockey which he said is watched closely by hockey fans in the "Land of a Thousand Lakes". He was pleased to see fellow Minnesotan Tom "TC" Carroll score a hat trick. "He was like a kid in a candy store", said TC. Pawlenty put on a UNH jersey and posed in the locker room with some of the Blue stars. Unfortunately he couldn't wear a Bud Light Blue jersey, but, he settled for a UNH Wildcat jersey. " I'm sold on The Granite State", he said, "I hope the Wildcats kick some Gopher ass in the NCAA tournament!"
The bars and resturants will be open early next thursday in anticipation of Game 5. A number of players were "healthy scratches" for game four including Dunc "Coach" Walsh who has been in and out of Toe's doghouse all season long. When asked about whether Walsh would suit up for game five, Blakey said, "It'll be a game time decision". We will see, but regardless, it's going to be a special St.Patrick's evening at the Doug. Game fives? They're magically delicious!