Banquet Time !!!
Wizards Annual Conclave
Celebrates Foolishness
Playoff Results
Wizards Blow Tire Come Up Flat
Game One
Wizards Look Good to Cougar Bait in 2-1 Shutout
In what was a very good back-and-forth game, the Wizards
started Saturday morning with a solid effort winning 2-1.
Loins were very much girded, as the team played well. Goals
by T2 and (who else--wasn't it Tony?) pushed us ahead. The
Wizards had their first too-many-men on the ice penalty
(normally the Wiz slowly and grudgingly get to their
positions from the bench). A treat was the sun as it shined
into the eyes of players on the west end. We needed to have
Boes's shades. Now we were in position for the Kitties of
the Polecat town.
Right after the game left-wing Joe
rushed home due to a possible gas emergency, but it turns
out the Woodbury Fire Department found evidence of poor
hygiene and suggested no more cheap beer at the Ahmann
abode.
Game Two
Wizards failed to show, fall to the Polecats
3-0
It was 180 degrees from Game One (or, as some pro
athletes may say, 360 degrees). The Wizards couldn't shake
off the news of Whitney Houston's death (featured in a Wiz
video), and spent most of the game before getting off the
first shot. The game was by far the cleanest between these
two long-standing rivals. Coach decided to pull the goalie
with 5 minutes to go and the score 2-0. Unfortunately T2
did not hear this, but the fact remains the goal would not
have mattered in the outcome. Wizard alum Troy Carrick came
out to help with the manpower, as David had enough of
winning one game for the day. We may as well have had Toes,
Shimota, and Warren come out of retirement as well, as we
looked like we had not played for years.
Game Three
Wizards ensure an early brunch, Crazy
Train Wrecks Wizards 5-1
Was it a sign when Joe saw 4 deer and 2 eagle on the way
to the game? How about when Tony watched the Wizard of Oz
the previous night? Somewhere Ozzie Osborne was laughing as
his team unexpectedly bounced the Wizards out of the
playoffs, ensuring a secure spot on the Class D schedule in
2013. While America's Favorite Old team carried the play,
there was not a lot of shooting going on by the men in
yellow. On the other end of the ice the soon-to-be-ousted
coach found confusion in shots on goal. Afterwards our
opponents gave us our performance review: "wow, you control
the ball a lot' followed by the 'you sure don't shoot a
lot'. Crazy Train found it best to let the old men tire
themselves with perimeter play. It sure worked.
In Summary
The Wizards enjoyed the revival of the relationship with
(a better) Gabes on our way to a winning season. With the
expected return of Terry and PJ, and addition of Troy as a
back-up goalie, the outlook is solid.
Wizards Play Nooky - Shutout?
Wizards 10 vs. Nook 1
There was a buzz of excitement in the air as the Wizards
took the ice for a make-up game. Maybe it was the pending
St Paul playoffs, or return of their prodigal coach. With
Ricky Rubio-like passing by Boes, Lemieux-like scoring by
David (5 goals), and overall excellence we enjoyed a victory
against the over-matched Nook squad.
Goals by
David, Boes, T2, T3, Tony, and Ace added to the second
greatest night of broomball. The Wizards were 30 seconds
away from tying a St Paul Rec broomball record for fewest
saves, but one save was made. The Wizards gave up a goal
after a defensive lapse, starting with the 'D' standing and
watching the Nook attack the zone.
A question of
what score would be posted arose, seeing the Nook waived the
right to waive the white flag and stop the game at 8-0. PJ
is still nursing a yoga injury, Joe still sipping on South
Beach, and Larry was doing something super-important and not
telling anyone he would be absent.
After the game Woody went against Kelly in a Cake
Smackdown. The Wizards watched their teammate apparently
tethered to Kelly as she (and he) went around the
restaurant, including the kitchen. Yes, Kelly now has a
shadow. After 'secret voting' for two very good cakes it
was clear 'Cake A' was the winner. As a result, Woody has
some explainin' to do to Rose.
Polecats Undefeated
Season Ruined
Wizards 4 vs. Polecats
2
The outdoor ice surface was like that
of semi-frozen mashed potatoes.
With a surprising fast surface, the
Wizards took a 3 - 0 lead by half-time. The Wizards took the
aggression from the Polecats - dished it back, and scored
goals. Ball control was most certainly in the hands of the
Wizards. It wasn’t until late in the second half, when the
Polecats scored their two goals. The odoriferous Polecat
backs were broken when an empty netter was scored by the
Wizards with one minute remaining. The game ball was
awarded to Larry (the Wizard goalie), for some nice saves,
but even more courageous freezes.
After 35 seasons, the Wizards knew this
was the game to ‘get up for’, and responded
remarkably to the challenge.
Wizards Beat Orange Guys
Heavily Shorthanded Team Steps Up
Wizards 4 vs. Triemert
1
A warm day brought on a very damp and
slushy ice surface as the Wizards started the game with only
one spare player. Injuries, agendaless business trips,
and other distractions left the Wizards shorthanded. The
slick ice made for bad footing and poor rolling as the
opponent in orange quickly scored early in the first period.
Bench Coach PJ Johnson stepped in for
absent coach Peterson and with the arrival of future
hall-of-famer T. Squared the Wizards lifted their game.
Assistant Bench Coach Terry said, "Gosh, you guys are
playing well."
Some crisp passing, good break outs,
and exceptional defense led to four unanswered goals for the
home team, each one a dandy, bringing the Wizards above 500
for the second time this season.
As the Wizards celebrated their victory
at Gabe's over some Guiness and Fish Tacos, the team
wondered if pursuits like a euchre tournament or medallion
hunting has left some players confused about their
priorities. This topic was forgotten as a challenge of
a "white cake" smackdown emerged between team baker Woody
and team waitress Kelly. The event will follow the Feb
8 game against The Nook.
Oh yeah, some Wizards guys are playing
in a euchre tournament in LaCross this weekend.
Strangely enough, they too are short a player.
Wizards Lose to Slackers
D-League Strikes Again - Peterson
Absent for Loss
Wizards 0 vs. Slackers
3
The Wizards thought it was the elements
that was going to be their biggest challenge on a night when
the winds were raging and the temperature below zero.
“It was a night much like when
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer squared-up on the Bumble”,
said Sam the Snowman.
The Wizards played the first period
against the ripping wind & fell 0-2 by the end of the half.
While the old bucks put up a better fight in the second
period, the net effort resulted in another goal by the
opponents. This dropping to D League is proving to be
tougher than the Wizards ever thought.
Back in the warm comfort of Gabe’s –
the Wizard Burger (veggie patty with bacon) was rolled-out
for the first time by being the nightly dinner special.
Even though the video camera is gone,
the Wizards are still adding to lore of “America’s Oldest
Broomball Team”.
Wizards Stun Larrys
Cunningham finds his Lucky Charms;
Scores "Rat Trick"
Wizards 4 vs. Larrys 1
In a game many thought would be
postponed due to extremely warm weather earlier in the week
and resulting poor ice conditions, a deeply shorthanded
Wizards took on their old D league nemisis The Larrys.
Due to a few injuries, and some player commitment problems,
the Wizards started the game with just three subs on the
bench.
By gametime, temperatures had dropped
into the teens, and a strong northwest wind whipped up with
gusts in the 30s. Wind chills well below zero. This
left the refrozen ice surface in hyper fast conditions with
a chunky strip on the northern boards and a few hidden
scattered slippery spots. It was clear the wind
would play a factor too.
After the Larrys scored on a rebound,
right wing Johnson left the game early with a painful hip
problem (later diagnosed as a hammy). The yoga master
slipped while turning to shoot and came up lame. Now
the already exhausted Wizards were down to just an "Iron 8".
Tom W scored on a rocket from the slot before the half
ended.
The Wizards started the second half
playing uphill into the fierce wind. With some stellar
defense and constant pressure against a decent Larrys team,
the inspired Wizards pressed forward. Great passing
and passionate attacking led Irishman Pat Cunningham to
score one, then another goal. Shooting wide and
whiffing on another shot, Ace was determined to score
another. That chance came true when Cunningham found a
loose ball in the slot and fired it home for his first Hat
Trick since 2009's legendary "Greatest Night of Broomball,"
when the Wizards combined to score a record 18 goals one
game.
Wizards Win Big
Wizards Solve SVA, perfect for 2012
Wizards 11 vs. SVA
0
The Wizards can't seem to lose in 2012
with a convincing 11-0 victory. SVA could be an acronym for
'Seven Victims Award', as our opponent arrived with 7
players, including one female and several with bowling
shoes. The Wizards set all kinds of team records,
such as goals scored, missed opportunities in the slot,
and number of awkward moments. The adage this year is 'our
plays take some time to develop'. Miss Manners wasn't
reffing, but would have fit in with the polite players on
both teams. No penalties, and plenty of 'pleases',
'thank yous', and 'I'm sorries' led to a nice group hug at
the end of the game. Seems there was a Mister Congeniality
Award at stake. The ice was good, but the snow along
the boards added an element of handicap. Some day it
is felt St Paul Wreck will add lines to the ice, further
enhancing the game experience.
After the game the team was seen
heading over to Gabes. Beer selection was somewhat
limited, but as long as they have Guinness and 'a beer which
won't hold up utensils' we are set. The Wizards seem
to be plotting modifying the sign outside of the team
meeting spot to add color to the 'welcome broomballers'
message.
Game 2 Melted out
Due to unseasonably warm weather leading to
poor ice conditions the game against the
feared "Nook" was postponed and is
rescheduled for Feb 8 at 9pm.
Wizards Drop Game 1
Wizards 35th Season
Opener; Welcome to D League!
Northern Orthodontics 2, Wizards
0
It was a beautiful night
for outdoor broomball & the Wizard’s 35th season
opener.
After dropping to “D League”, the
Wizards had images of playing against guys wearing Sorrels.
No such luck agaianst the young Willy
Wonka team, who were fast, passed the ball well & looked
like they’ve been practicing for months.
Coach Carl – who offered no preseason
practice, was at an ice arena during the opener – just not
the one we were on.
Oktoberfest 2011
Shatters Record
Ace "Pat" Cunningham reports in with the
final harvest report:
Festmasters,
With the passing of Thanksgiving weekend, so concludes the
eighth annual Wizard Oktoberfest Beer Harvest.
The individual memories of the ‘hunt’ will be lasting
smiles in the memory bank.
Oktoberfest
Harvest Highlights:
v
New record total of 56 [previous
record 46, 2010]
v
19 new beers
v
5 new states
v
Harvest quota raised twice. From
20, to 30, to 40
v
Back-up list history added to the
Master List
v
Guideline for Harvest Season close
– from Thanksgiving weekend to once the list is posted on
the web page
v
New back-up list annual percent
record, 50% [previous record 47%, 2009]
These
gentlemen – went out and enjoyed a good copper beer…
IBW
Harvest 2011:
1.
Summit [MN], Carl, Buzz, Joe
2.
Capital [WI], aCe, Carl
3.
Paulaner [Original German
Oktoberfest], Joe, aCe, PJ, Buzz, Carl, Woody
4.
Leinenkugel [WI], Buzz, aCe, Carl,
Quiche, Joe
5.
Hofbrau [Original German
Oktoberfest], Carl, aCe, Joe, PJ
6.
Schell’s [MN], aCe, Carl, Buzz
7.
∆
Free State
[KS], PJ (New State)
8.
Shiner [TX], aCe, Carl, Joe, Woody, PJ
9.
Spaten [Original German Oktoberfest], aCe, Carl, PJ, Joe
10.
Bell’s [MI], aCe, Carl
11.
Point [WI], Carl, aCe
12.
Ayinger [Germany], Carl, PJ, Joe, aCe
13.
Flying Dog [MD], Carl, Larry
14.
Great Lakes [OH], Carl, Woody, Joe, aCe
15.
Victory [PA], Carl, aCe
16.
Coney Island [NY], Carl
17.
Sam Adams [MA], Carl, aCe, Joe
18.
Goose Island [IL], Carl
19.
∆
Magic Hat [VT], aCe, Carl
20.
Hacker-Pschorr
[Original German Oktoberfest], Carl, PJ, Boze
21.
Erdinger [Germany], Carl
22.
Sierra Nevada [CA], aCe
23.
New Belgium [CO], Joe, Carl, Quiche
24.
∆
Joseph’s Brau [CA], Joe
25.
∆
Stift Schlägl [Austria], aCe
26.
Brooklyn [NY], Carl
27.
Lakefront [WI], Carl, PJ
28.
Lake Superior [MN], Carl, aCe
29.
Widmer Brothers [OR], Carl
30.
∆
Horny Goat [WI], Carl, aCe
31.
Left Hand [CO], aCe
32.
Sprecher [WI], aCe, Carl
33.
Beck’s [Germany], Carl, aCe, Joe
34.
Granite City [SD], aCe
35.
Boulevard [MO], Buzz
36.
Legends [WI], Carl
37.
Dundee [NY], Joe, Woody, aCe, PJ
38.
∆
Paulaner Oktoberfest Wiesn [Germany], aCe, Carl
39.
∆
Grand Teton [ID], aCe
40.
Karl Strauss [CA], PJ
41.
∆
Southern Tier [NY], aCe, PJ, Joe
42.
Rock Bottom [CO], aCe
43.
Millstream [IA], Woody
44.
Avery [CO], Carl
45.
∆
McNeill’s [VT], Woody
46.
∆
Lucky Bucket [NE], Woody (New State)
47.
∆
Thunder River [WI], Carl, Boze
48.
∆
Labatt Marzen [CAN], Carl
49.
∆
St. Regis [UT], Carl (New State)
50.
∆
Boones [NC], Carl (New State)
51.
∆
Stoudt’s [PA], aCe
52.
∆
Triumph [PA], aCe
53.
∆
Flying Fish [NJ], aCe (New State)
54.
New Glarus [WI], Woody, aCe
55.
∆
Lone Oak [TX], Carl
56.
∆
Frankenmuth [MI], Carl
To date:
56
of 40, at 140% of our annual
quota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note: credit is given to any member who “harvests” a beer
already on the list. Back-ups on 28 of our 55
beers (50%).
Reference (Original 6 German Oktoberfests): Augustiner [only
remaining beer we haven’t harvested], Hacker-Pschorr,
Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulaner & Spaten
∆
= new beer on IBW list
See the all time
master list:
Oktoberfest Harvest
Master List
Wizards 2011 OFB and Articles
Wizards 2011 Season Wrapup
Making Beer
Wizards Brew At Vine Park
See Buzz on TV
Wizards Veteran at Nationals
Buzz models
his shoes, shags the ball, and takes a lame shot.
Add a newsbabe in the Wizards Jersey, plus a little newsanchor
banter and you've got
TV Gold!
See the clip here
The Wizards Jersey and Team
gets a nice plug too... That clip is
here
|
