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 35^th Season Opener; Welcome to D League!

Northern Orthodontics 2, Wizards 0

 It was a beautiful night for outdoor broomball & the Wizard’s 35^th 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