Why Can't We Be Friends? Or how about "Can't We All Just Get Along?"

It's been a long season. Blood, sweat and tears have all been shed. Friendships made and friendships broken. In the grand scheme of things all of this happened because of hockey. The game we all love and a passion that unites us. Hockey breeds competition, frustrations, joys but most of all it bring us together. It's brought us some great shows. The goals, the hits and the fights have been bringing the crowds to their feet all year long. It hasn't been without dramatic sequences like players boycotting games and fan bases going to war in the crowds and message boards but the one thing that we all took from the games regardless of what happened surrounding it was that butterfly in the stomach excitement that made us want to go night after night.

From fans invading other FHL towns to putting on a show in the Maine Event there has been an endless barrage of story lines that have gripped every fan base at some point. That in a nutshell is what hockey is all about. Things happen and half the time when we can't control them it's not what we wanted to happen. Everyone wants the cup, to win and to be treated fairly but reality is that's just not the case most of the time and we just have to suck it up and try to do the best at the things we can control rather than kick dirt and raise hell over things we can't.  

Since the first day I decided to apply myself to more than just watching the game and started getting involved I began to write this blog and build relationships all around the league. From day one it's been he said, she said and on a small scale complete anarchy. This team is cheating this way... That team is doing this and that and they shouldn't. The Kirnans are out to screw the other teams... The referees are idiots. Such and such organisation is corrupt. It never ends and very likely never will.


What I'm trying to say is this is hockey and the up and downs that come with it. Referees at every level are criticised. Gary Bettman the commissioner of the National Hockey League is one of the most jeered men in sports being booed every time he speaks. Nobody will ever be totally satisfied at some point, if ever and that's life. Get on with it. Do what you gotta do but the mud slinging and trash talking are overblown. Everything is a conspiracy when there is something on the line that everyone wants.


What this league and the teams in it really need to do is just get back to some good ol' hockey. To cut the bullshit and the whining and the conspiracy theories and to just enjoy the game. If it's so horrible every owner in this league can pull their teams out or sell them or just quit but they haven't have they? There is a lot of room for improvement. More clarity. Better ref's you can go on all day. As for treatment of players... They are grown men. They know what's right and what's wrong and they are in no way enslaved to the teams they play for. There are other leagues and opportunities for most to explore.


Players play, Owners pay, The commissioner oversees the league fairly without bias and hands out suspensions and fines as necessary. The fans show up to show support. Security does it's job to protect people and diffuse situations, Referees make calls they see using their best judgement and discretion.


That's hockey. It's not always going to be the way I described it because this isn't a perfect world or a perfect league. Take your licks and keep coming back for more that's what's important. Bury the hatchets and wash off the bad blood. I present you the game of hockey without the politics... hold the stress and frustrations... it's just a game. Learn to enjoy it again for what it is.


If you enjoyed the article please share the link. Thanks for the support. Good luck to everyone still alive in the playoffs and better luck next season to those who are not.

Aviators Out Off Playoffs, Shot Down By Whalers In OT Period!

FIRST PERIOD and the Aviators fans were confident of another win on Danbury ice. Danbury had a different idea, with only 1:07 of the clock a score for the Whalers. #55D J.Sanford for the back of the net for the Whalers first marker of the day. Score 1-0 Danbury.

At the 3:27 mark of the first, #12C A,Goupil hit net and made the match 2-0 Whalers. #14C J.Dabkowski had a breakaway and scored for the Brooklyn Aviators. Score is now 2-1 Danbury. 1:10 later #18C J.Dolgy did his magic at the 5:38 mark and tied the game 2-2 and that is how the first period ended.

SECOND PERIOD saw #27RW C.Mignone score on a powerplay with 6:57 off the clock. Score is now 3-2 at this time.The next score came on a fluke rebound of a Whalers skate #44F K.Miller by Aviators #4C R.Schweyer that managed to get by #29G P.Vetri. This make the match 4-2 at this time.

#19LW G.Holt scored with 1:43 left in the second period making the match 4-3 Brooklyn Aviators. This is how the second period ended. Brooklyn fans still saw the win on the score board with only one period left.

THIRD PERIOD action was fast and furious with both teams knowing the importance of the this period. I was time ti do or die as they say in the real world. Skating was fast and the hitting picked up a bit. Sorry to say that the only score came from the stick of #16RW S.OMalley of the Danbury Whalers. His shot was deflected of the skate of #38G J.St Pierre of Brooklyn and found its home inside the A's net.

 This is how the third period ended in a 4-4 tie. Brooklyn fans were thinking of Fridays game and how it ended with Danbury taking the match in the OT period. Can you say let the OT start......

OT PERIOD didn't take to long for Danbury to repeat in an OT victory. The hero for Danbury was #16RW S.OMalley, it took only 1:54 of the OT Period to send Brooklyn packing for the season. The A's could clear the puck from their end and they payed the price, season over. Another hearth breaker for the Brooklyn Aviators players and fans. Whalers 5 and Aviators 4, congratulations to the Danbury Whalers organization.

You couldn't ask for a more exciting playoff action then want I just witnessed, it was great. Even though our season is over I will be attending some of the playoff games and I'll keep you guys posted.

SHOTS OF GOAL: DANBURY 55   BROOKLYN 33

POWERPLAYS: DANBURY 0 FOR 3   BROOKLYN 1 FOR 6

PIM: DANBURY 14 MINUTES FOR 7 INFRACTIONS

       BROOKLYN 8 MINUTES FOR 4 INFRACTIONS

SIDE NOTE: I wish all the teams in the playoffs the best of luck and lets some some real great playoff hockey to show everyone that the FHL in here to stay.

Article by Clifford F. Zeman

Aviators Tie Up Playoff Series With A 5-2 Win Over Whalers!

First thing to do when you go to Danbury is have a great tasting Whalers Burger at Two Steps, the Whalers fans hang out. It is a two minute walk from the arena and you can't go wrong for the price!

FIRST PERIOD saw a lot of fast skating and some hard hitting as the teams tested each others defense. #10LW G.Devin found the back of the Aviators goal at the  11:27 mark with a high shot over the glove of Aviators net-keeper #38G J.St Pierre. That is how the first period ended, 1-0 favor of Danbury.

SECOND PERIOD Brooklyn's #7C C.Campanale scored on a great pass from #38G J.St Pierre for a break away and scored with a shot under the gloved hand of #29G P.Vetri. Score is now 1-1 with only 2:56 off the clock. 

A's #18C J.Dolgy found Whalers goal when a lose puck showed up in front of him and he lofted it over the right arm of #20G P.Vetri, score 2-1 Brooklyn. The A's fan started to get a feeling the the A's can take Danbury on its own ice. #12C A.Goupil of Danbury tied the matched with just 1:02 left in the second. A's fan still kept their hopes high, score 2-2 at the end of two.

THIRD PERIOD was all Aviators when #7C C.Campanale found the Whalers net with 8:32 off the clock making the score 3-2 Brooklyn. With 14:49 off the clock on a powerplay #20C J.Felten from the from the left wing circle shot a rocket that ripped over the left arm of #29G P.Vetri. Score was 4-2 and the A's fans were loving it!

#2RW M.Thomson scored on another powerplay with 2:23 in the match, score is now 5-2 in favor of the Brooklyn Aviators. This is how the game ended and Brooklyn lived to see another day in the semi-playoffs of the 2011-2012 season in the FHL.

SHOTS ON GOAL: BROOKLYN 41   DANBURY 45

POWERPLAYS: BROOKLYN 2 FOR 6    DANBURY 0 FOR 2

PIM: BROOKLYN 20 MINUTES ON 7 INFRACTIONS

        DANBURY 28 MINUTES ON 11 INFRACTIONS

The two teams go at it tomorrow again in the tie breaker at the Danbury Ice Arena, puck drops at 5:05PM.

Article by Clifford F. Zeman

Aviators Sputter Crash and Burn in OT Period of Playoffs!

FIRST PERIOD found the Aviators down three goals at the end of the first period. The Brooklyn crowd were feeling low and the prospects for a Friday night didn't look good at all. Two goals for the Whalers came within 21 seconds in the finale minute of play.

#9C M.Moucha scored the first goal for Danbury at the 7:18 mark of the first. #55D J.Sanford hit the nets for Danbury to make it 2-0 Whalers. #22RW N.Deschenes scored the third goal of the first period, this is how the period ended. 3-0 Whalers..... Aviators fans were still hoping for a comeback? 

SECOND PERIOD The only marker was by Brooklyn Aviator #20C J.Felten. #16D H.Coxe was awarded a penalty shot and the Brooklyn fans were seeing a easy score. This was not to be as #29G P.Vetri was just a tad faster then #16D H.Coxe and made the save for the Whalers. At the end of two score is 2-1 in favor of the Danbury Whalers.

THIRD PERIOD and the Aviators scored the next three markers in this period. The first was scored by #2RW M.Thomson, second by 7C C.Campanale and go ahead marker was put home by #27RW C.Mignone. This made the match 4-3 Brooklyn Aviators.

The Brooklyn fans were feeling pretty good and smelling a playoff victory at home. The A's were playing great penalty killers and were on they way for a home victory. #26C A.Goupil from Danbury found the back of the Aviators goal with only 3 seconds left in the third period. 

You could hear a massive groan from the A's fans when the puck found its home in the Aviators net. FOURTH PERIOD and Danbury didn't waste too much time to shoot the Aviators down.....At the 13:40 mark #14RW A.Willock sunk the puck for the Whalers and the match was there 5-4.

SHOTS ON GOAL: AVIATORS 53  WHALERS 44

POWER PLAYS: BROOKLYN 1 FOR 7  DANBURY 0 FOR 6

PIM: BROOKLYN 12 MINUTES FOR 6 PENALTIES 

       DANBURY 14 MINUTES FOR 7 PENALTIES

Article by Clifford F. Zeman

Aviators Bomb Whalers 7-1

The Whalers rowed into town Friday night and were surprised by the super sharp Harpoons that they found waiting for them in Brooklyn. This was the last time they would play in the regular season and the A's wanted to make a statement to the team that they will be facing in the playoffs. 

FIRST PERIOD found Brooklyn scoring first with 5:13 off the clock on a powerplay goal by #9RW N.Petriello. #23 RW A.Scampoli and #18C J.Dolgy earned the assist. Score was 1-0 at this time. 

The second harpoon found its target by #8LW S.Koich with an assist from #2RW M.Thomson.The score was 2-0 and Brooklyn fans were loving it!

SECOND PERIOD was all Brooklyn's, with three more unanswered markers by the flying high Aviators. #14C J.Dabkowski with aid from #27RW C.Mignone and #11C A.Owsiak. The second marker was a powerplay which #2RW M.Thomson took advantage of. On this score #20C J. Felten and #17 D K.Trentowski earned an assist. This made it a 4-0 Brooklyn lead and the fans were rocking and rolling, the smell of blood was in the water!

Surprise the next score was once again on a powerplay. #2RW M.Thomson on still another powerplay sank the fifth harpoon into the wounded beast. Mates #17D K.Trentowski and #7C C.Campanale were on deck and lent a hand to the fifth harpoon attack! 5-0 Brooklyn at the end of two. 

THIRD PERIOD and the wounded beast still wouldn't go down with out a fight. For the third time tonight #2RW M.Thomson planted his third harpoon into the dying giant of the sea. Fellow Aviators #7C C.Campanale and #16D H.Coxe earned an assist for this play. Match is now Brooklyn 6-0 and the fans are waiting to see when the big Whale will roll over and play dead? 

Two Brooklyn Aviators make the FHL Rookie Team of the Year!

Andrew "WOW"siak made the FHL rookie team and has made a name for himself with the Brooklyn Aviators and the FHL. His ability to score and get free has earned him a spot in the hearts of Brooklyn fans. 

Aviator fans are hoping that he keeps up the great work as we get ready to start the playoffs. We will need all the markers that he can muster for Brooklyn and we wish him nothing but the best of luck in the upcoming playoff matches.

Not to be outdone, Kenny Trentoswki earned a spot on the Rookie team playing defense. Kenny has be playing hard and has been steady all season long on out side of the blue line. 

He will have to take up some of the slack now that we have lost KC.Timmons for the rest of the season and playoffs due to a back injury. We have no fear that Kenny will be be a big factor in the upcoming playoffs and do Brooklyn proud.

Joining the two Brooklyn Aviators we have two members of the Danbury Whalers unit. They are Greg Holt (F) and Peter Vetri in goal.

The team also has Brad Surdam (F) of the Cape Cod BlueFins and Dan Mercer of the New Jersey Outlaws on defense. 

We wish to congratulate all of the above rookie players and wish them the best in the future for whatever Hockey will bring them. They did an outstanding job for their teams. Thank you for all the excitement that you bring to the FHL.

Article by Clifford F. Zeman

Whalers suspensions after gongshow in Danbury 2/2/12

#44 Kelley Miller given Spearing misconduct, Abuse of Official misconduct, and a tier 1 Gross Misconduct, suspended for 13 games for the remainder of the season.

#15 Corey Fulton given a Slashing major and a Slashing disqualification and will be suspended for 10 games.

#14 Andrew Willock given a Slashing major and a Slashing game misconduct suspended 1 game

#19 Greg Holt given elbowing major and elbowing disqualification suspended for 3 games.

Coach Phil Esposito given abuse of officials bench minor, suspended for 5 games

Whalers bury Aviators 8-3, set the tone for coming series.

              

  1/28/12, Danbury, CT. In the first of three consecutive games between the Danbury Whalers and the Brooklyn Aviators the advantage was to the home team, as Danbury’s 6 goal 3^rd period proved too much for the Aviators to handle. With valuable points on the line, the Whalers were able to pass the Aviators in the standings, jumping to 3^rd place behind 1000 Islands.

                Sensing the importance of the contest between the local rivals, fans flocked to Danbury Ice Arena nearly selling out the building. The intensity was palpable in the 1^st period as the action flowed from one end to the other with many great saves and chaotic chances. Not even 5 minutes in Peter Vetri of the Whalers made a brilliant glove save off of his former team mate Joe Dabkowski. The ensuing faceoff saw the Whalers steal the puck back down the ice where Josselin St Pierre made a stupendous pad save to deny the goal. Soon after Whaler’s Captain Kelly Miller was called for tripping, sending Brooklyn on a power play. The penalty was a culmination of a series of broken plays and chaotic chances in Brooklyn’s zone, as Danbury was unable to stuff home a loose puck. Soon after the Whalers finally broke through with a quick attack that saw Matt Moffat with a sublime drop pass right onto the tape of Sean O’malley who buried the puck off of the post, top left. With a 1-0 lead the Whalers continued to apply pressure however penalties from Andrew Willock and Kelly Miller started to swing the momentum into the Aviators favor. Miller’s penalty was taken during a scrum in front of the Whalers net when Vetri had gone down to get a puck that was cleared to the point, to prevent a goal, Miller pushed the net off of its moorings, earning a delay of game call. The verbal battle between himself and Referee Eric Ernst ensued, and Miller went to the box fuming. The rest of the period was held down by Peter Vetri who continued to flash his glove hand and make some impressive saves to keep his team in the game.

                Whatever coach Phil Esposito said to his Whalers in the locker room clearly worked as the 2^nd period started off with a bang as Kelly Miller put home the 2^nd goal from his linemates Sean O’malley and Matt Moffat. The period continued along well until at 8:03 Devin Guy was called for a cross checking penalty which he did not agree with. About a minute and a half into the Guy penalty, James Sanford of the Whalers also drew a slashing call after a missed hooking call on his teammate Greg Holt. Sanford was not only given 2 for slashing but also a 10 minute misconduct for abuse of the official, a favorite it seems of Ref Eric Ersnt, especially when he is in Danbury. The Aviators quickly tapped home a goal on a 5 on 4 powerplay off of the stick of Matt Atsoff, Vinny Geonnetti, and Casey Mignone, to cut the Whalers’ lead in half. The rest of the period was scoreless, and play was halted only for two penalties, Casey Mignone for slashing and Whalers Jay Meloff for Cross checking, coming at 11:10 and 19:59 respectively.

                The 3^rd period saw the Aviators begin on an extended powerplay as 1:36 seconds in Matt Moffat was sent off for tripping. It was not until sides were even when Matt Atsoff tied the game up at 3:55 of the 3^rd from Nick Petriello and Andrew Owsiak. The 3^rd period has always been a sore point for the Whalers, often times turning good games completely around, but such was not the case. Soon after the game was tied, rookie Adam Houli dug deep around the net to feed the puck to charging d-man James Kirkwood, who put home the puck to regain the lead. After that the floodgates simply opened, as despite another 2 minute penalty for roughing at 7:32, Kelly Miller again stormed back to score a booming slapshot from the blue line to take a 2 goal lead, fed by Moffat and Jay Meloff. 2 minutes later Houli again distinguished himself with another great pass into the blue paint that was tapped in by Devin Guy, extending the lead to 3 at 11:10. 39 seconds later Chris Siefert slammed home a pass from James Kirkwood(who had also assisted on the Guy goal) to put the Whalers up by 4. This Drove out Aviators Netminder St Pierre to be replaced by Ryan Supper. The scoring continued, this time from Aviator’s Casey Mignone, with an assist by Ken Trentowski the Yale grad. Up 6-3, the Whalers refused to take their foot off of the gas and at 18:32 Andrew Willock scored in his triumphal return to Danbury. The scoring finally wrapped up at 19:01 of the 3^rd as James Sanford made an absolutely silky move as he stick-handled around and then behind Supper to give the Whalers an 8-3 lead. The only other action in the 3^rd period featured two bouts between Joe Pele Jr and Whalers Jason McCrimmon, frequent combatants in the past. Apparently however the first fight did not warrant 5 minute penalties as both men received 2 minutes each for roughing at 10:15. Clearly not satisfied, Pele goaded McCrimmon into a second fight at 19:17 of the 3^rd, which was a much better scrap with both men landing some good hits, but the much larger McCrimmon clearly winning. Pele stood his ground and fought very well as he had done in his whole career, which ended with a bang, but perhaps not one that he would have liked as his Aviators were dropped to 4^th place in the standings. The next two games, one at Danbury Thursday Feb, 2 and In Brooklyn Fri, Feb 3^rd. This series is an important set as it will allow either team to take or solidify their position in the league standings.

                                                                                                                                         -Alec S Kessler

Whalers Beat Privateers 5-3

1/13/2012, after the announcement of the special signing of skateboard legend Mike Vallely to the Danbury Whalers, and although he played fewer than a full minute the Danbury Fans were not at all disappointed. Slightly delayed by bad weather in north New York State the game started just after 8 o’clock to a nearly full arena.

The 1^st period began with ferocious end to end action as the 1000 Islands Privateers came out strong pushing the issue trying to gain an early advantage. Because of the weather the Privateers had only travelled with 13 skaters, whereas the Whalers actually had 19 men on their bench, getting special permission from the league for the addition of Mike Vallely. The early pressure paid off for 1000 Islands as Paul Kelly scored a tip in goal from Justin Levac and Brad Smulders with 3:31 gone by in the 1^st. The goal came as a result from a defensive breakdown by Whalers recent acquisition Jason Mccrimmon, turning the puck over in the defensive zone. The privateers continued with their offensive pressure drawing a big double minor from Tony Pisano 6:16 in. Killing off the long 4 minute penalty gave the Whalers a surge of energy, and as the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the 1^st, the Whalers found themselves with the momentum back in their favor. 

The 2^nd period began very strangely as after the intermission the referees and the privateers were out on the ice, but the whalers were not. After a very heated argument between referee Eric Ernst and Coach Phil Espositio, the Walers were assessed a 2 minute delay of game bench minor, to be served by Corey Fulton. The strange start would be par for the course of the 2^nd period, as the play again moved back and forth, until at 6:10 Alec Kirschner, whose family was present for the game, scored a tying goal from Chris Seifert and Nick Deschenes. Not to be outdone, privateers Justin Levac scored a quick go-ahead goal at 9:22 from Paul Kelly and Brad Smulders, connecting for the 2^nd time this game. After 2 successive penalties by the privateers later in the period that could not be capitalised on, the whalers returned to the locker room with the game tied at 2.

The 3^rd period started with a frenzied pace as both teams looked to score early and dictate the pace of the rest of the game. Clearly affected by the lack of depth on their bench, the privateers played on their heels, giving up the lead to the strong whaler attack. 4:34 into the 3^rd period the millstone line produced again as Kelly Miller scored on a great lead pass from Matt Moffat, with Sean O’Malley getting the other assist. The controlled offense of the whalers continued to dominate, forcing the already tired privateers into 3 consecutive icing plays, keeping the top line on the ice for almost 3 minutes of solid action. By grinding down 1000 Islands, the whalers’ continuous pressure drew privateer’s’ Brian Marks into a hooking penalty, bringing out the whalers’ top powerplay line. Throughout the 3^rd period the whalers’ offense was marked by sharp and accurate passing, which allowed for Alec Kirschner to again burry a goal on the powerplay. He was again assisted by Nick Deschenes and Chris Seifert for his 2^nd of the game, giving the whalers a 3-2 lead. Soon after however, the momentum shifted as Kelly Miller was called for tripping at 12:52, allowing the privateers to tie the game with only 1 second left on their powerplay as Paul Kelly scored his 2^nd of the game from Jeff Winchester and Brad Smulders, again tying the game at 3. Responding quickly, the whalers 2^nd line of Kirschner, Seifert, and Deschenes again broke through the defense scoring the leading goal making the score 4-3 with 3:35 left in the contest.

Immediately after another strange thing occurred as before the ensuing faceoff, referee Eric Ernst ejected Kelly Miller from the game for a 10 minute official abuse penalty. The call was so strange because from our perspective Miller only said one thing to the referee before being kicked out, and it was said at such a volume that no one else on the ice heard what was exchanged. Undaunted the whalers kept the pressure on, and at 19:31 of the 3^rd period, Alec “King” Kirschner was sprung by his D-men Lynn Beedle and James “Brown” Sanford to score his 3^rd goal on the empty net. The cementing goal finally saw Mike Vallely getting ice time, even if it was for just about 30 seconds, fans were certainly not disappointed by the game.

Article By Alec Kessler

FHL Road Trip: Akwesasne Warriors

Two days, two games. A trek that started in Hogansburg, NY at 6:00 am Friday morning. The Warriors boarded a bus heading for Danbury, Connecticut to take on the always entertaining Danbury Whalers. Akwesasne coming into this trip had lost three straight and were looking to turn things around on the two game road swing.

The nearly six hour drive led to a stop in Newburgh, Ny just outside of New York City where the team and management stopped for dinner and to relax a little bit. After eating the team had some down time before jumping back on the bus so they grabbed a soccer ball and started kicking it around.

Roughly three hours later the team was back on the road to finish off the 45 minute drive to Danbury enjoying some nice scenery while crossing a bridge along the way

5:00 PM, Danbury, CT - We arrive at the beautiful Danbury Ice Arena only to find out we are too early and they are not ready for us. A welcome change as the team has had some bad luck recently forcing games to be delayed. Every detail was planned out this time around and the guys are left to wait it out.

6:40 PM,  Most of the guys are dressed and ready for warm ups some so ready they even strike a pose. Danbury however goes out for warm-ups unexpectedly early and the team is forced to rush out as the clock is ticking down. Warriors slowly trickle onto the ice and prepare for battle.

7:35 PM, Puck drops. Akwesasne @ Danbury A great game recap by new addition to You Call That Hockey?  - Alec Kessler

Post game - The guys ran out of gas in the third I wish I was talking about the team bus but it was the players. After a very entertaining 40 minutes of play the Warriors came out flat. Danbury took advantage immediately lighting the lamp with four straight in the third period, two in the first 1:04 of the period and another tough loss to write home about for Akwesasne.


Around 11 pm, the team has it's post game meal and head straight for the bus to begin the trip to Hyannis, Massachusetts.

3:30 AM, The entourage arrives in Hyannis, Massachusetts dead tired and ready to get some rest. After about 20 minutes the rooms are sorted and everyone begins disappearing for the night. My room mate for the trip is hard working rookie Sam Sanford currently on a three game tryout contract. A long day comes to a welcome end.

Around noon time the next day Director of Game Day Operations and video guru Keith Papineau gives me the opportunity to be one the first few to view the new Warriors commercial.

3:00 PM, Dinner is served at a restaurant across the street from the arena. Heaping plates of food are delivered to the tables as everyone takes in the intense Bruins/Canucks game. Loud chatter as everyone discusses the game and arguments over penalties can be heard in the background.

5:15 PM, Hyannis, Massachusetts - The team is packed up and heading for the Hyannis Youth and Community Center. A nice arena which is surprisingly small inside due to having two ice pads.

6:30 PM, -  The guys are out for warm-ups. I get my first glimpse of the Bluefins 

7:05 PM, - Puck drops on the first period. The Warriors come out flying as Ahmed Mahfouz strikes 33 seconds into the first frame. The guys are all smiles but it doesn't last long as the Bluefins hit back three and seven minutes into the game. Miguel Delisle scored his second goal in two games to even it up after a very entertaining first period of play.

The second period houses a lot of back and forth play. Cape Cod strikes midway through the period and it's followed shortly after by a minor tussle between former NHLer Billy Tibbetts and Akwesasne tough guy Mike Stacey who was more than willing. Tibbetts glove was off and he threw a punch that didn't faze Stacey at all but Tibbetts backs off from the challenge and both were given 2 minute roughing minors. The rough stuff doesn't go away as Kris McCarthy and Cory Bellamy had a shoving match with Bellamy trying to get McCarthy to drop the mitts until Ahmed Mahfouz skates in and goes straight after Bellamy, both men go down before any good punches can be thrown. Both are given a double minors.

The third period comes undone for the Warriors again. Miguel Delisle score his third goal in two games and fourth in four games is starting to look like the Delisle of last season where he produced better than a point per game. With time on the power play and an increased role it would not surprise me to see him return to form. However, it was Cape Cod's three goals in the third that sunk the Warriors for good. An empty netter sealed the deal and extended Akwesasne's losing streak to five games.

10:30 PM, After the post game meal the team heads for the bus as they load up and hit the road. With only a couple stops along the way it was a long quiet ride home. Getting back to the starting point in Hogansburg, NY at 6:30AM was the closing of a fun but disappointing trip.

Back home Wednesday the Warriors will have all of their starters back in the lineup to welcome the unlucky Danville Dashers who come to town to take on a sleeping beast. A wake up call has been issued with this five game losing streak and it's time for the Warriors to step up in a big way. With 22 scheduled games left to go it's going to take an Aviator like run to redeem this team. If everyone shows up there is no reason this stacked team can't get it done and if all else fails a big shake-up may be necessary.

Next up: Danville

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In closing I would like to thank team owner Darby "Buggo" Oakes for allowing me the opportunity to make the trip. I really appreciated this new and fun experience which I hope to be able to do again someday. I met some great people along the way and travelled with some of the best.