The A-Team & The Killer B’s advance into the ’12 TNL Summer Season Playoffs.
Reservoir, Vic
Do you remember ‘Twins’ with Arnie Shwartzen.. Schwartsin… with Arnie and Danny DeVito in it? And how they were twins named Julius (Arnie) and Vincent (Danny) and wore matching suits? Well that’s kinda how things turned out for the Dutch Rudderz at the end of the ’12 TNL Summer Season.
Both teams finished third on the ladder in their respective divisions, and both teams will play next Tuesday night in do or die semi-finals. The only real difference in the squads is their recent form, with the Killer B’s finishing the season in Arnie like fashion with a streak of wins, and the A-Team playing out a final round draw against the cellar dwelling Spanky Elite.
Regardless of the last round hiccup though, the A-Team is certain to give the Fudpuckers a run for their money in the semi-final clash. The last meeting between them ended in a 5 all draw, an improvement on the two early season losses they boys in Orange & Black recorded against them.
“We always manage to pull all the pieces of the puzzle together and tie the loose ends up around playoff time” Coach Grimmo said, mixing up a number of cliches in one sentence. Asked how he expected next weeks game to play out, Grimmo responded
“If you heard a Bear shit in the woods, and then the Pope got hit by a tree falling on him, would the Bear be a Catholic?”.
A contemplative, if not complicated, response from a man working overtime to get his squad playoff ready.
Punchy looks to pass as Moose takes the long way home.
One thing The A-Team can be certain of heading into next weeks clash is offensive firepower, with Punchy (25 goals, 41 points) and Mirrors (22 goals, 40 points) taking out the quinella in the league scoring race.
“We just need to jump on all the scoring chances we get, eh!?” Mirrors told reporters after this mornings optional rudder session. Mirrors missed part of the regular season with an upper body injury, but has been on a hot streak since returning into the line up, recording 8 goals in the 3 regular season games.
Meanwhile in the lower grade, the Killer B’s seem to be hitting their stride (and also being hit by chicks) at the right time of the season, and will look to use their size and elusive speed to beat The Bears in next Tuesday nights show down. Through the regular season both teams recorded wins against each other, with the most recent being a commanding 4-2 victory to the Rudderz.
“It’ll be a tough game Tuesday, but I think we’re playing our best hockey right now, which is the right time of the year and we’re in with a good chance.” Bakes explained. “Hubby has been inspirational… it’s been great playing on his line. He never gives up along the boards. I’ve never seen someone back check for the puck like he does.”
Hubby is fearless. Even against hockey players who know Karate.
The Killer B’s will be relying on Hubby’s tireless work rate and the defensive shut down strategy of the ‘All Canadian’ line to help neutralise The Bears offense, which scored 68 goals during the regular season (tied for second place with The Animals). The Killer B’s offensive juggernaut (they score goals and insult you), spearheaded by Larry, Hama-Time & Moose, amassed a league leading 71 goals through the season and will be aiming to keep the scorekeeper busy during next week’s clash.
Game details for next week:
The A-Team vs Fudpuckers: Tuesday 1st May, 8:20pm.
Killer B’s vs The Bears: Tuesday 1st May, 9:40pm.
Hubby look out for the Serial Killer in the white painters jump suit! eeeek.