As many of you are well aware, Brian "Beege" Hendricks required season-ending surgery on Friday to reconstruct his right knee cap which had been broken in two places during Tuesday's tie with the Inline Shockers. Already losing one of his star runners in Beege, cross-country coach Phil Tiller pulled Neal from future Red Army games this season. The loss of half of Mother Russia's offense couldn't come at a worse time. Defensemen Jamie, Brad, and Lynch are also absent for tonight's matchup against Individual Team. A week ago many fans were anticipating a deep run into the post-season. Today, fans will be happy to avoid an embarrassing first round exit.
The group of players with the daunting task of keeping the soviet ship afloat, well, there are only four of them: Mark, Peter, Ryan, and Hoefer. A very talented group, but can they skate for the 45 minutes? Let's break it down. Up front the Red Army has its two best offensive threats with Mark and Peter. They can wheel and deal. Undoubtedly, you can look for Peter to be dishing it to Mark all game. Guarding the back is Ryan, the natural leader who has started to find his scoring groove, and Hoefer, who, though a slower skater always seems in position and continues to find the back of the net. Is a victory possible? I see the Red Army victorious in one of two ways. First, stellar goaltending and stingy defense. Keep the game close and score at the end. The other, score early and often and then defend. Either way, it is going to be incredibly difficult. Mark has already said he is dedicating today's game to the fallen Beege. "It is my job to keep this season alive. I know I am going to have to score some Beegetastic goals, play some Beegenasty defense, and probably stay out of the god Beege penalty box. Either way, today we are all Beeges."
While I have no idea what to make of that quote, I do know my stomach is churning thinking about today's game. Also, I just downed four bean burritos.
1 comment:
sponge beege
Post a Comment