Counting Down the Top 10 of 2009: #8, #7, #6, #5, and #4

Prior to tonight's game the plan of this blog had been to countdown ten moments and dedicate an article to each moment. Then tonight's game happened. See, we had not anticipated another event happening this year that would make the countdown, let alone, make it near the top of the list. We scrambled, held a meeting, and decided that we need to write what people want to read. So, to keep things fresh, I am going to offer a brief recap of moments 8 through 4 before talking about tonight's game, which ranks as the #3 moment of 2009.

Happy? Thought so.

#8: The return of the Patient One
Yes folks, in 12 hours Peter Hendricks' flight lands in Dulles Airport and he will make his glorious return to the blue rink he called home for the better part of a decade. The eldest of the Hendricks brothers impressed teammates and fans for years with his slick passing ability, patience with the puck, and knack for scoring late goals in bunches. Perhaps it is no coincidence that 59's most memorable game included a late comeback like the one seen tonight. Let us take a brief trip down memory lane...

The year is 2005; George Bush is in office, Kelley Clarkson isn't fat yet, and Geico has yet to introduce geckos and cavemen to their advertising repertoire. The Red Army is playing the season finale of their inaugural season. The season has been a success to date. After a slow start, the team rebounded with a string of wins and is in prime shape to make a post season run. The team itself is made of of several players that today's roster consists of. Brad Lotocki, Ben Breiterman, Scott Hoefer, and Mark Hendricks all were there. The season finale was the toughest game to date though, as it was against the undefeated 13-0 Puck Off. Like today's league, divisions divided the teams into two groups: gold and silver. Unlike today's league however, the two divisions would play each other during the regular season and not during the playoffs. The Red Army was a silver division team. Puck Off was a gold division team, and as mentioned earlier, undefeated.

Thanks to solid goaltending and smart defensive play, the Soviets found themselves hanging around late in the game. With 90 seconds remaining in the 3rd period, Puck Off led by only three goals, 9-6. Enter Peter Hendricks.

His first tally was classic Peter. He jabbed away at a loose rebound and slid one a few inches past the goal line to make it 9-7. The clock stopped, the teams lined up at center, and the puck was dropped.

With 30 seconds to play, he struck again. This time he redirected a shot from the point that found its way upstairs where Mommy hides the Little Debbie snacks. Suddenly the undefeated golden boys seemed nervous.

With 8 seconds left their fears were realized. Peter completed his natural hat trick when he corralled a rebound and fired one seven hole on the goalie. Chaos. Pandemonium. Euphoria. The comeback was complete.

Back then, overtime's were non existent. So, the final 8 ticks bled off the clock and both teams earned a point for the tie. The Puck Off season's lone blemish on the year was a tie, as they would go on to cruise to a Gold Division championship. For the Red Army, their regular season ended perfectly thanks to Peter Hendricks' 90 second game tying natural hat trick.

Welcome back Comrade, welcome back.

#7: Labia Line
Anytime a line of players earns a nickname, you know its a good line. The Labia Line was, and still is, a good line. Pat King, Mark Hendricks, Ben Breiterman, and sometimes Scott Hoefer combined for some absolutely gorgeous goals this past season. The creativity of Hendricks, combined with King's finishing ability, Breiterman's speed with the puck, and Hoefer's timely passes led to many goalie's searching for jock straps. From time to time, when the stars align, these players find themselves together on the rink, and you better believe it doesn't take long for a few "L"s to be thrown up.

#6: Ten in a Row Mofo's and Ho's
The tenth consecutive win of the past season was special. For one, it was against Prestige Worldwide. Secondly, 10 in a row... come on. Thirdly, it was the season finale and ended the season on a very high note. Though the teams would meet a little more than a week later in what would turn out to be a painful loss for the Soviets, they can take solace that for over a month they were unbeatable. Reminds me of a team I know today...

#5: Beege Avenged Playoff Style
Only appropriate to follow that season finale 10th win in a row with the second round playoff 11th win in a row over the Shockers. Any win is a good win, still some wins just feel better than others. Not only did the win vault the Comrades deeper into the playoffs than they had ever been, it also eliminated their arch nemesis the Shockers. When it is all said and done, many will utter the Red Army and Shockers in the same breath as Kelloggs and General Mills, the USA and Nazis, and Carlos Mencia and humor. No two entities clashed as much as these two hockey teams did this year, and the Red Army winning in the playoffs gives them the edge in 2009. Beege officially avenged.

#4: Padding Stats
This little blurb is the R.A.D. giving a middle finger to the anonymous comment posters who think some players pad stats. Neal Hendricks had 9 points last Summer Season in a win over the Predators and Mark Hendricks had 14 points in the recent win over the Islanders. Individual performances deserve to be recognized, but both players knew they were helping their team get the two points that night, and that's what matters.

Again, the middle finger cannot be stressed enough.



So, there is half the countdown. I think we know what's coming next. Stay tuned for a post that rivals tonight's game in epic-ness.