NAHL 2012: The Year That Almost Wasn't

It was a year like no other and one that many thought would see the end of the world. Year 2012 marked the 130th anniversary of the NAHL. It all started way back in 1882 as the first unorganized hockey game in the United States. 2012 started out with a global warming scare that made many wonder if The Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships would even make it to year two. After a call to the Pope from Chris Brown, the Pontiff cut a deal with God who sent a text to Mother Nature asking for just a little cold weather. The favor was granted and the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships became a success. Again the NAHL was well represented at the tournament. There were new champions crowned in the + 35 division and the +50 division. The Budmen dethroned Capital City in the 35 A division and The Turkey Pond Flyers ousted The White Park Hockey Club in the +50 division. Repeat offenders were Jack Edward's Teeth in the Open division and The Newts in the Ladies Who Love Ladies division.
Following Black Ice came the NAHL playoffs
which to no one's surprise pitted the two greatest
teams in league history. Green and Blue made to
the finals by beating Mauve and Rust in the semis.
As to be expected, the finals went all seven games, but no one expected that it would take a game eight in september to decide the winner. Game 7 ended in a tie as the city began shutting down the refrigeration system to get ready for the Cat Show. It was a long summer waiting to find out who would be crowned king of the NAHL. Summer brought the much anticipated Dragon Boat Races to the Merrimack River. The event was cancelled by the city when one of the participants was swallowed by a giant catfish during practice. Rich Rosatto fell overboard and was swallowed alive by the leviathan. Moe Rudz offered a large reward for anyone who could return Rosatto's jersey to the league. The reward was earned by Tom "Bergs" Bergault who not only retrieved the jersey, but he also returned Rosatto unharmed. Bergs donated the money to Hockey Fights Obesity. In September the much-anticipated Game 8 took place. The game turned out to surpass the hype that dogged it all summer long. Andy "Gump" Doherty won the MVP of the series after he stopped two penalty shots in the third period. Tom "Philby" Philbrick added an empty netter to seal the deal for team Blue who skated away with a 5-3 win.
The NAHL awards ceremony highlight was when "The Vic" (2012 MVP) Award was given to "The Commish", Phil Stuart. After an incredible season that saw him rack up four goals and five assists in a mere twenty two games. He also finished a minus one for the year. This year brought us five new inductees into the prestigious Legends of Thursday Night Hall of Fame. Vic Stanfield, Steve "Po" Potozak, Tom "TC" Carroll, Dave "JP" Palisi and Tom "Bergs" Bergault joined the ranks of the Immortals.
All said and done, 2012 was the year that goes into the record books as one of the strangest in the league's storied history.