2011: The Year That Was

There was a lot of good things that happened in the hockey world in 2011, but none bigger than the first Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship. We're not trying to take anything away from the Bruin's Stanley Cup win, but.... when Chris "Brownie" Brown put together "the greatest show on ice", the world became a better place.

Who can forget the assassination attempt on Brownie's life, masterminded by Hassan Bin Sobar? We remember the convincing win of the gang from Capital City Diner over the Budmen and the equally one-sided victory of The White Park Hockey Club over the Cheers Chiefs. Who can forget the Newts winning the Ladies division championship? That makes at least two of us!

As if the Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship wasn't enough; Fans in the Capitol City were treated to a thrilling NAHL Championship series. In a hard fought seven game series, Green triumphed over Blue and added another chapter in this storied rivalry.

The hockey nation watched as the trial of "The White Pond Duo" played out in the courtroom and two of Concord's "favorite sons" were found "Not Guilty". Just when we thought that was enough to carry Capitol City hockey fans through the summer, along came the Boston Bruins who win Lord Stanley's Cup despite being bit by the Vancouver Canucks early in the series.

The fabulous Tim Thomas stole the show, but Brad Marchand won over Bruin's fans with his spirited play on and off the ice.

What was looking to be a quiet summer turned into anything but as the fateful voyage of the "Duke of Lancaster" had hockey fans on the edge of their seats as the events played out in what is arguably "the greatest story ever told". In the end, the Hockey Gods smiled upon the Capitol City once more and Thursday Night Hockey was saved.
The new season got underway at "the Doug" this fall after the historic arena got a facelift AND a suprise when Jimmy Hoffa turned up buried under the floor. Dave Maznick was thought to be buried under there, however, it turned out that he was on the bottom of White's Park pond. The new scoreboard was hoisted in place and the puck dropped in front of another sell out crowd on Thursday Night.

We saw the creation of the Legends of Thursday Night Hall of Fame which inducted it's first class of Legends.

Tilly, Dumpin, Joe, Heathy, Kaiser and Hernia were selected for their commitment to excellence in the great game of hockey. This event was followed by the NH Legends of Hockey induction of two of Thursday's finest, Ryan "Silky" Brandt and Dunc "Coach" Walsh both who delivered memorable speeches that acknowledged Thursday Night Hockey as "Unbelievable" and "Awful, but in a good way".

Pictured above:Silky and Brownie catch their breath on the Blue bench while Coach and Brooster prepare Coach's speech before the banquet.
Blue, under new coach John "Stuffy" Stevenson, has shown that they are ready to take over as the top team in the NAHL, however Green, who was nursing a championship hangover, has climbed back into the race for supremacy. It has been an extremely rough and tumble first half in the NAHL and disciplinary chief Sheldon Brennahan has had his hands full.

Blue has won the first half ,but Green has their eyes on the prize. The new year 2012 is shaping up to be another great year. Although mother nature has been a bit slow at bringing the deep freeze, it looks like winter has finally arrived.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012 so, keep your head up and your stick on the ice! Moe Rudz and the staff of The Pucking Files wishes you "All the Best in the New Year". They hope to see you on tuesday January 3rd at the Barely House and Cheers for some Black Ice Ale.