Green Overwhelms Defending Champs in Opener

Just one week ago Blue was crowned NAHL champions after their game eight victory. Last night their championship banner was hoisted to the rafters to a loud applause from their adoring fans. Then the puck dropped and the Blue faithful had nothing to cheer about for the rest of the evening. It may have been a case of "championship hangover", but whatever it was, it wasn't pretty for Blue. Green routed a sorry Blue squad 11-2. It was all Green all night. The scoring started on the first shift of the game when Dave "Tilly" Tillotson put Green on the board. It was the first of a five point night for Tilly who earned second star of the game honors. Tilly's linemates, Clint "Eastwood" Casavaugh and Tom "Berg" Bergault all had multiple point nights as well. Green's second line equalled the first unit in output, led by Jim "Cummy" Commerford a.k.a. "The Big Cum" who set up in his office behind the net and fed his teammates Phil "the Commish" Stuart and Mark Rudz. "Cummy" was given the third star of the game. The first star went to Ryan "Silky" Brandt who anchored the Green defense that along with netminder Andy "Gump" Doherty kept Blue shut down throughout the game. George "Dumpin" Chase and Dave "JP" Palisi were the other blueliners who performed brilliantly all game long. "The guys played a complete game at both ends of the ice", explained coach Gary "Toe" Blake. "They obviously wanted it more", lamented Blue's Tom "Shemp" Champagne. "I think our guys thought that their game 8 victory last week meant that they wouldn't have EARN IT game in and game out", quipped Blue coach John "Stuffy" Stevenson. Even the return of "the Jackhammer" couldn't cure the Blue hangover. We will see if it is a wake up call for the defending champs who have fallen into last place in the eastern conference. In other NAHL action last night, Teal beat Red 4 to 3, Yellow defeated Mauve 6-1 and Magenta slipped past Black 3 to 2. It looks to be a wide open season in the NAHL and fans couldn't be happier. While the NAHL is stronger than ever, other leagues are not so lucky. We have a lockout in the NHL which threatens to cancel the upcoming season AND now we are told that the CCHL is in danger of the same. The CCHL which is the primary feeder league to the NAHL has fallen on tough times. The player's union and management could not come to an agreement on terms for revenue sharing and the midnight deadline came and went with no deal being struck between the two sides. A beleaguered commissioner Jeff "Kano" Cain appeared in front of reporters last night to explain the situation. "We have some people who want it all and refuse to give an inch. Both sides are very far apart. We have rescheduled the start of the season to mid october and even that may not take place if a compromise isn't reached", explained a frustrated Cain. The Pucking Files will keep abreast (he said breast!) of the situation as it unfolds. The Pucking Files is pleased to welcome it's new sponsor TSR Hockey. Also, please be sure to check out the first installment of INSIDE THE LIES that debuted yesterday. Each month "Inside the Lies" will bring you up close and personal with the people that shape OUR world. There is a lot to look forward to in The Pucking Files.