Was it really only three weeks ago the Bear Communications squad had their sights on the best FHL start ever?
Yes it was, but that has withered up and died as the Bear Bunch seems to have hibernated a bit early with their latest setback, a 2-1 loss to Serenity extending their winless streak to three games.
What this all means to the rest of the league is the red-clad tail lights are just around the corner with the Builders only two points behind Bear.
Serenity, playing their best hockey of the season, is also on a three-game streak, but theirs is of the undefeated variety with two wins and a tie thanks to an offensive production of 12 goals while only allowing six against.
The offensive spark leading to the victory over Bear was (BIG) Bob Merta who used his albatross-like reach to score once and it was his stretch pass that set up the winning tally with less than two minutes on the clock.
That honour was reserved for team Captain Brent (Clutch) Carter who confused the Bear netminder as he didn’t utilize his patented snap shot but rather wristed one in from the blue line that surprised most by finding the back of the net.
With the Bears whirling dervish being held off the score sheet it was up to Brody (BooBoo) Neighbour to keep it close as he scored on a gorgeous deflection to tie the game midway through the second half.
The will to win is still alive in the Bear hearts as they gave it their all in the final minute to tie the contest but Jason (The Jackal) Foreman made his FHL debut a memorable one as he used his rapier-like glove hand on several point blank chances to earn the victory.
The other contest turned out to be rowdier than a Cambie Street Grey Cup party as tempers flared in the 4-1 Fraser River burn out of the hot under the Blue Collared Boys.
(Silent but Deadly) Seth Phillips opened up the GM scoring as Chris (Captain Crunch) Royle scored what proved to be the winner with Chad (Geroy) Swanson and Joel (McCallum) Marsh putting it through the uprights for the insurance goals.
Spoiling Peter (Archie) Andrews shutout bid was BCS’s Shane (Bucka) Thon who sniped his first of the season with two defenders on his back while performing a single Salchow in the tuck position.
Rumours the FHL commissioner would review the game tape before deploying supplemental discipline could not be substantiated at press time and calls to his number went to voicemail which, ironically, was full.
Steve Dodge is a defensive winger with Serenity and an Observer contributor.