Through Sleet and Snow

Tales from the Timebox: April 18th, 2017

One of the worst storms of the year and it comes in the middle of  April just as the ball season is about to start. I didn’t put my snow shovel away, because I figured if I did it would snow for sure. That didn’t work, the snow came anyway.

The kids were out on the ball diamond last week, but will have to go in doors again for a bit.  The farmers would normally appreciate the moisture, but with many of them still trying to figure out what to do with last years crop still out in the field they didn’t really need this snow at all.

Rotten weather outside, but at least there was lots of sports on TV to watch this past weekend with the Leafs and the Oilers both just starting the playoffs and the Blue Jays struggling to hit the ball – going to be a really long season if they don’t find a solution and turn things around. Wouldn’t want to be John Gibbons right now, scratching his head wondering where do make changes in the batting order and losing two starters. But at least the Leafs won their second game keeping things interesting for a while. The Oilers looked great in the second and third game. they adjusted their game plan. Montreal and Ottawa look good although I have a hard time cheering for them, as I know a lot of Oilers fans feel the same about Calgary.

But here’s something to cheer about. With the minor ball season a few  weeks away , three of our talented North East league and Zone 2 champion Atom boys; “King Kong Konnor” Poitras, Cash “Paycheque” Capjack and Nic “the Saint” Penner  joined up to play spring hockey up in Bonnyville for the Lakeland Lightning. Their season is short only going until the end of April, so they can still play ball come May.

This past weekend they were in Leduc playing in the Thrive Spring Challenge  with six other teams from across the province and won the tournament gold medal final on Sunday. In the round robin they won 3 out of 4 games, winning over Red Deer in the first game, “Paycheque” scoring 2 goals and 3 assists winning the Heart and Hustle Award in this one. The Lightning  winning the second game against the Northern Selects, “King Kong Konnor” who scored the first game with a couple more goals in this one.

The Lightning winning again Saturday morning 8 to 2 over another Red Deer team. Then Saturday night the Lightning suffered their only loss of the tournament, losing a close one losing 4 to 2 to Foothills, sending them to the semi final game on Sunday morning against the Northern Selects winning this one 6 to 5 in overtime. The first overtime was a 5 minute 4 on 4, no one scored,  then in the second 5 minute overtime period which was 3 on 3. “Paycheque” and “King Kong” were both on the ice when the team scored the winner sending them to  the final game against  Foothills, which happened to be the only team to defeat them in the round robin. The ‘ Saint’ playing on defense gets very little glory, but as usually  he was  doing a terrific job of protecting their zone from  the opposing attackers.

Very exciting final game late Sunday afternoon, “King Kong Konnor” scoring the first two goals in the game for the Lightning, who were  winning 2 to 1 after the first period. the momentum switching in the second period , the Lightning then down 3 to 2 after 40 minutes. With the game was all tied at 3  late into the third period  the “Paycheque” would  head to the bank and Cash in, depositing the winner with only 1.43 left in the game to win the gold. Great job boys!!

And now for the K.A. Campbell quote of the week. ‘ A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player knows where the puck is going to be.’