Beginnings of a Dynasty

I wasn't sure if this  game was going to happen this year or not.  Mostly because this dude that brings us these awesome gifts from some where I don't wanna know.

In any case we did have our NHL 2017 hockey tourney this year.  Although we are still a year behind, I just looked at the Cup plates and we've won the past 2 years straight.  And the last plate said 2016.


It's always fun these games we have.
Hong & Derrick vs. Garces & Tony.

It's more fun when you win though.
Let get this party started!
But first we warm up with ping pong!

The first game wasn't even close.  Hong & Derrick were still on holiday.  A 7 - 1 drubbing on 18 shots.  That's almost a 40% goal to shots ratio.  That's efficiency!
And 5 hits compared to 27 for H&D.
If they focused more on scoring than hitting as a strategy, it'd be more of a game.

Game 2 was the response game.  Either show up or go home.
It was 5 - 8, on 27 shots, 25 hits.  Goals in the final frame put them back in the game!
H&D continued their game plan of running interference on our goalie and putting in garbage goals.  But they eat garbage for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Game 3 was going to be a dog fight.  And it was!  A tight checking game. G&T were struggling to get the puck on net.  The sega move was being cut off from that precious slot area. H&D were winning 2 - 3 with only a few mins left in the final frame.  They were playing that good ol' frustrating keep away game.  Trying to win the game by killing time.  Toying with G&T, laughing a mocking laugh.  But thumbs tightened that led to turnovers.  All it took was ONE mistake to let G&T split the D and score with time nearly running out.  Oh NO!

Momentum had swung.
H&D were on the ropes. How could they let a win slip out of their hands.  So close, yet so far.
It was OT!
3 on 3.  More room for the skilled players to make plays.
That's all it took - one play to win the game for G&T.  Wow, the come back was complete.  Confidence on one side, on the other.  Dejection!  Fingers pointing at one another.  H&D needed to take a break re-group for Game 4.

Game 4 was do or die for H&D.  Lose and they'd be down 3 games to 1.   Insurmountable by any one's standards.
They needed this game.
G&T drew first blood quickly scoring off the draw from a quick pass from the point to the slot.  That was skill.
No running the goalie, no cheap goal.

But that was H&D game plan.  Run our goalie and shoot the puck.  Leave no player or goalie un-checked. It looked to be a SURE win with a 2 goal lead in the final frame.  Calculating the remaining time.  They were trying hard NOT to LOSE the game, instead of win it!  All they had to do was keep G&T off the score sheet.  But they didn't.  Two goals barrage late in the game again led to OT.  But could G&T complete the improbable comeback AGAIN?  Did they leave enough gas in the thumbs?  Who was in it to WIN IT!?

OT could've gone either way.  Chances were there for H&D, but not capitalized on.  Too bad.  A game changing save in OT.  You could smell H&D's desperation.  And it was bad.
G&T used their opponents strategy of running the goalie against them to win game 5.  It must've stung.  Like iodine on a cut. But self inflicted.  Owch!
It was their worst NHL nightmare.  Down 3 games to 1.  Again.


Game 5 was a must win.  It was win or go home, with their tails between their legs.
It was a tight game.  Tied for much of the game.   3 - 3 going into the 3rd period.
H&D needed to win.  It was a MUST win!  They needed a goal.
But a goal by G&T put them up 4 to 3.  It was now H&D that needed to come up with late game heroics!  Someone needed to be that hero!

Who was going to be the one.  The saviour?
Unfortunately there was no hero.  Only a goat.  As tight thumbs resulted in a turnover that made it 5 to 3.
That was it.

Three straight years for Garces & Tony.
Cup winners!  Again.  Can this be a dynasty?

The Cup 2018

Thanks Ray & Kim for hosting.