From Triumph to Tragedy to Triumph: The Year of the Lion (TPWHL article)

http://tpwhl.pointstreaksites.com/view/TPWHL/news-199/news_27616

From Triumph to Tragedy to Triumph: The Year of the Lion, By Don Barrie

The 2010-11 hockey season came in like a lamb, and out like a lion for the Lions. The team with the smallest roster managed to conquer the season and win the championship. I attribute a lot of my team’s success to healthy camaraderie and sportsmanship, even in the face of adversity.

The Lions wasted no time in winning four of its first five games, with Kirk Ashman and Don Deschamps establishing themselves as the leading goal-scorers. During our first five weeks, we played well enough to make it to first place in the standings.

When one of our forwards decided to leave, however, we gained a dynamite defensive forward in Alicia Palma. The veteran player was important to our success, particularly in her ability to shut down our toughest opponents. Her tenacity and dedication helped us to rise above our disappointments.

Two incidents occurred following this roster change that made us work harder. The first was in January, when Christine Pacheco, one of our defensive forwards, had to stop playing for medical reasons. We understood that her departure would only be temporary.

The second, however, was when Sean Ross, our veteran goalie, died of an infection on February 2. We all mourned his death, and vowed that we would dedicate the rest of the season to him.

In spite of our loss, our devotion to the team became stronger than ever. Now down to seven players, the momentum we had enjoyed at the start of the season slowly built itself back up. We communicated with each other more directly and frequently, which we owe in part to our coach Clayton Thomas. His gritty and motivational coaching helped us to end the season in third place, good enough to ensure us a spot in the playoffs.

On April 16, we faced the Titans as our first playoff challengers. They won the first game 3-1. We managed to win the second game 3-2. Two weeks later, to our surprise and amazement, we knocked the Titans out 5-4, and onto the finals we went!

On May 7, we played our first finals game against the Panthers. During the season they were one of the more difficult teams to beat, considering they finished in first place. We fought hard to win 5-4, and in the presence of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, David Onley.

The following week, on May 14, we defeated the Panthers in a close 3-2. The cup was ours. What a beautiful ending to a roller-coaster season!

We dedicated the championship to Sean, who was always there, in spirit. This is one hockey season I personally will never forget.

The 2010-11 Lions are: Marcel Adarkwa, Kirk Ashman, Don Barrie, Greg Contaxis, Don Deschamps, Lori Edwards, Christine Pacheco, Alicia Palma and Sean Ross.

RIP Wally Boag

Song Blog: "Thank You For Being a Friend"

I first heard Andrew Gold's "Thank You For Being a Friend" during the 1980s when it was used as the theme for the TV sitcom The Golden Girls. The song itself, however, was introduced by Gold in 1978 on his album, All This and Heaven Too. It reached #25 on Billboard, but in my book it is a Number One.

Gold was born in Burbank, California in 1951. His mother is Marni Nixon, and she is well-known as a singer in her own right. Her voice can be heard in some famous movie musicals, and this includes dubbing the singing parts for Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. His father was composer Ernest Gold, who won an Academy Award in 1961 for writing the film score for Exodus.

Andrew Gold's music career began during the 1970s. One of his earliest recordings was performing most of the instruments on Linda Ronstadt's 1974 hit "You're No Good." He has also produced and/or arranged albums for Ronstadt, 10cc, Art Garfunkel and Japanese rock singer Eikichi Yazawa. One of his most recent production credits is the Christmas album by the pop duo America.

Gold's biggest single to date is "Lonely Boy," a #7 pop hit in 1977. However, it is "Thank You For Being a Friend" that has become more popular, thanks in part to The Golden Girls. Gold has contributed to film and TV soundtracks over the years, including the theme song to Mad About You.  

Andrew Gold died of a heart attack on June 3, 2011. He was 59 years old.

From the Archives: "The Lives of the Hockey Saints" (2010)

What is there to say about the Sunny View Saints? I marched along as a member of this team for two years, and I enjoyed being in that number as the old song goes. There was healthy camaraderie and unconditional respect between us, and the love of playing hockey together was always there.

Yours truly, Don B, was not the team’s captain, but was its “old man” prior to our final season together. These past two seasons I played for the SV Saints in the defence position. I blocked shots, got in people’s faces and assured my teammates that I could stay awake an entire period.

Brad was our goalie during our entire run. We both communicated well every time we were on the same shift. He was also our team’s unofficial commentator. I would gladly publish some of his remarks and insights if they weren’t considered un-publishable.

Lori was our main defence during our two seasons together. She was also our team’s main cheerleader. It always made for a good combination. Her voice matched her talents as a player, and she always kept us alert, awake and honest.

Brandy was our main forward. And she could be quite forward during playing time just like the rest of us. We always took notice of her tenacity and aggressive playing style. She was also the one who scored the most goals for us.

Meghan was our other secret weapon. Though she missed a few games this season, she dominated every time she was there. She blocked players, communicated with us teammates regularly during play and remained stoic throughout all the frustrations and tensions we often felt.

Erin was also a top goal-scorer and one of our team’s secret weapons. She joined our team during our second and final season. She could have also used the power to psyche out a player with her colourful fashion sense if league rules allowed it.

Don Deschamps joined our league and our team this season, which sometimes led to confusion about which Don was going to be put on next. Us two Dons go back to when we were students at Sunny View many moons ago. He sometimes called me “Little Donnie,” even though there was nothing small about either of us when it came time to play hockey.

Another late addition to our team was Alishah. Though she was shy initially, she gradually blended right in with the rest of the team in the defensive position. Her actions on the playing floor spoke louder than any words.

And then there’s Sean, our big cheese and team captain. He and his dad, coach Ron, were there to keep our spirits up and encouraged us every step of the way. Their positivity and inner strength kept us strong, through thick and thin. What could we have done without their support?

I heard somebody say that saints are sinners who find a way to get back up every time they fall. While we were far from being the holiest bunch around, we kept ourselves humble and refused to give up when the odds were stacked against us by our opposing teams.

Though this didn’t earn us a spot in the playoffs or win us a championship, I speak for everyone on the team when I say that being named a hockey “saint” for two seasons was a flattering, honourable and satisfying experience.

RIP Randy "Macho Man" Savage (Randall Poffo)

Paul Simon fan from Newfoundland & Labrador is the latest YouTube sensation

Bob Marley is still remembered 30 years later