Posts Tagged ‘Happy Little Elves’
Championship Game Box Score
Monday, November 1st, 2010Congratulations Happy Little Elves, 2010 BTSH Champions!
Elves Boycott Losing For An Entire Playoffs
TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK – Happy Little Elves rookies Trevor Beauclair and Ryan Nakahara have known each other since their high school days in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. They’ve played hockey together for more than a decade and continued that partnership by joining the Happy Little Elves together this season. Their impact was felt throughout the regular season and playoffs, and the championship game was no different, as the duo played an integral role in the Elves’ 3-1 victory over the Corlears Hookers.
Nakahara led the Elves with two unassisted goals in the championship game, both of which came off of turnovers that he created. The brunette rookie’s first goal gave his team an early 1-0 lead, when he stole the ball from a Hookers’ defender and netted the shot from about 15 feet out. Nakahara’s second goal came late in the second half when he intercepted an errant Hookers clearing pass and scored on a breakaway, giving the Elves a 3-0 lead and effectively sealing the victory.
Beauclair also played a key role in the Elves’ championship victory. The flaxen-haired rookie’s shot with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half caused a big rebound, allowing teammate Melanie Pessin to easily tap in the game-winning goal. In addition, as a defenseman, Beauclair was a crucial part of the New Elves Defensive Initiative, which held the high-scoring Hookers offense to just one goal.
Never at a loss for words, Elves co-captain Rich Glanzer noted, “We had a gameplan, stuck to the NEDI (New Elves Defensive Initiative) and ended up winning the whole thing.” Throughout the season, Glanzer has consistently demanded a maximum effort from his team and has long preached the virtues of sacrificing oneself for the greater good. This game, the Long Island Lynbrook Loudmouth led by example as he dove across the unforgiving blacktop in the closing minutes of the game to clear the ball out of the Elves’ defensive zone. Glanzer added, “In 20 years of hockey, I’ve never been on a team that wanted to win one game–one championship–as much as the 2010 Happy Little Elves did.”
The Happy Little Elves were established prior to the 2008 season as a team of free agents. The team finished that year with just one win, ironically in their first game, and were hardly viewed as championship material. Co-captain Ben Chadwick, who became captain of the Elves because he was the first to pay the league fee, remarked, “Nobody ever expected much when our ragtag crew of free agents and castaways first came together. Well, now you are all witness to what a team can do simply by practicing hard, working together, and dumping horse tranqs in your opponent’s water bottles.”
The Corlears Hookers’ only goal, scored by Brendan “Dutch” Kearney, came late in the second half, a minute after Nakahara’s second goal. The tally seemed to ignite the Hookers’ spirit, as the team pressed the Elves’ defense incessantly for the remainder of the game. However, Elves’ goalie Shaun deLacy played his best game of the season and staved off the late attack. This is the Corlears Hookers’ third loss in a championship game, as they were defeated by the Dark Rainbows in 2007 and Fresh Kills in 2008.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#8 Happy Little Elves 3, #5 Corlears Hookers 1
| 1 | 2 | Total | ||
| #8 Happy Little Elves | 2 | 1 | 3 | Final |
| #5 Corlears Hookers | 0 | 1 | 1 |
First Half:
Happy Little Elves – 6:18, Ryan Nakahara (3) (unassisted)
Happy Little Elves – 14:45, Melanie Pessin (1) (Trevor Beauclair, Gil Valdes)
Second Half:
Happy Little Elves – 16:08, Ryan Nakahara (4) (unassisted)
Corlears Hookers – 17:03, Brendan “Dutch” Kearney (1) (Gavin “Dutch’s Brother” Kearney)
Guest Columnist: Rich Glanzer
Friday, October 29th, 2010What Celebrities Are Saying About The BTSH Final
The following views do not necessarily represent those of the editors or of BTSH. They do, however, represent those of Rich Glanzer.
Without a doubt, the Happy Little Elves and Corlears Hookers are two of the most polarizing teams in all of BTSH. Regardless of which side you’re cheering for in this Sunday’s final, almost everyone has an opinion.
These teams first met two years ago on the last day of the 2008 regular season. The Hookers were rolling through all of BTSH, while the Elves were on a collision course with the 1962 Mets. Although the Hookers had no subs that day, they were still huge and heavy favorites. However, the Elves proved exceeded everyone’s expectations and forced overtime with 30 seconds to go, before they eventually lost in a shootout.
Still the juggernaut of BTSH, the Corlears Hookers now face the former patsies of BTSH once again in the BTSH championship game. As you might expect, the Elves’ postseason run has caught the eye of BTSH fans everywhere. But what is a little surprising, is that this Good vs. Evil (Ed: which team is which?) matchup has also caught the eye of many celebrities. After checking out www.celebretytweetsaboutBTSH.com, you can tell there are fans of both sides. Let’s take a look:
Playoff Preview: Championship Game
Thursday, October 28th, 2010Hockey Rich Found His Way Into This Photo Too
#8 Happy Little Elves (11-5-0-3) at #5 Corlears Hookers (14-4)
Location: Tompkins West, 4:00 PM
All-Time Series: Corlears Hookers lead 3-1
2010 Result: Week 2 – Happy Little Elves 7, Corlears Hookers 4
Game Notes: The Corlears Hookers are no strangers to the BTSH championship game. This will mark their third trip to the final, following appearances in 2007 and 2008. However, despite their playoff success throughout the years, the Hookers have yet to hoist the championship trophy. Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic that it can finally win the big game after its convincing victory against the Butchers in the semifinals. The Hookers jumped to an early 3-0 lead in that game, effectively ending any realistic hopes of a Butchers’ upset. After the third goal, the team transitioned to a much more conservative game plan and coasted to a 3-1 victory. Awaiting the Corlears Hookers in the championship game are the polarizing Happy Little Elves. Regardless of your opinion of them, no one can deny the Elves’ flair for the dramatic throughout the 2010 playoffs. In their round of 16 game, a seemingly easy victory turned into a 7-4 nail-biter against the Tuques La Famiglia. In the quarterfinals, the Elves tied Fresh Kills in the final minute of regulation and prevailed in overtime. Last week, in the semifinals, the Elves and Sky Fighters battled in the most entertaining game of this postseason, with the Elves advancing to the final via a shootout. With the Elves making their first appearance in the championship game, do the cardiac “kids” have one more win left in them, or will the Corlears Hookers finally break through?
Keys To The Game For The Corlears Hookers:
1. The Hookers’ offense has revolved around Jason Eitel this postseason, and he now leads all playoff scorers with five goals. He has scored in all three of his team’s playoff wins and will once again be a focal point in the championship game. Although he missed the 2008 final to attend the wedding of teammate Dustin “Fake Dutch’s Brother” Olson, he has guaranteed that he will attend Sunday’s game, despite an earlier promise to take Dutch’s niece out trick-or-treating (there’s one for you, Dustin!).
2. Late season addition Tiffany Hagge has been a beast for the Hookers this postseason. She has logged four playoff goals, including the overtime game-winner against Filthy Gorgeous in the quarterfinals.
3. Albert “Al” Huang is yet to start a game this season, even when the Hookers have been shorthanded. However, he has been frequently brought into the game as the lone member of the team’s checking line. His presence on the court has been known to intimidate opponents and has already caused several sleepless nights for Melanie Pessin of the Happy Little Elves, who admits she is afraid of him. In fact, only co-captain Rich Glanzer scares her more than Huang does.
Keys To The Game For The Happy Little Elves:
1. Although Gil Valdes leads the Elves with three playoff goals, his most heroic moment came in the shootout of last week’s semifinal against the Sky Fighters. He was the only player for either team to convert his attempt, which helped seal the victory.
2. The Elves Team Defense Initiative has been extremely successful in the team’s last two playoff games, allowing only three goals in nearly 115 minutes of play. However, this game plan would not be as effective without the stellar play of Shaun deLacy between the pipes. He put forth his best performance of the season in last week’s semifinal, turning aside numerous quality scoring chances in regulation and overtime, as well as stopping all three Sky Fighter shootout attempts.
3. Pending an Elves victory, an extravagant parade through Long Island has already been planned. Festivities will hit all of the island’s most noted hot spots including the Big Duck, Billy Joel’s birthplace, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the Front Street strip mall in Hempstead, the Suffolk County police department, Jones Beach, the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant, and Lynbrook’s own Sanibel Chophouse.
Eli’s Pick: Corlears Hookers. The third time’s the charm.
Derek’s Pick: Happy Little Elves. I’ve made a lot of pot shots against him through the season, but Glanzer really has done an amazing job leading the Elves to the finals. Of course, should they pull off the upset, that also means an entire offseason of listening to him gloat.
Watchability: 5 Chadwicks. Hopefully, this game will be as dramatic as the Elves-Sky Fighters semifinal.
Semifinals Box Scores
Sunday, October 24th, 2010These Elves Seem Awfully Happy
#8 Happy Little Elves 2, #7 Sky Fighters 1 (OT-SO)
Happy Little Elves: Gil Valdes (3)
Sky Fighters: Alice DuBois (1)
Shootout: Happy Little Elves win 1-0. Successful attempt by Gil Valdes.
#5 Corlears Hookers 3, #18 Butchers 1
Corlears Hookers: Jason Eitel (5), Libby Lewis (1), Peter “Purple Rain” Putka (1)
Butchers: Arnold Sanchez (2)
Exhibition Games
What The Puck 8, Tompkins Square Riots 4
La Famiglia 3, Poutine Machine 0
Mathematics 3, Cobra Kai 2
Gut Rot 3, Gouging Anklebiters 1
Unicorns 2, Mega Touch 1 (OT-SO)
LBS, Inc. 3, Rehabs 2
Denim Demons 4, Dark Rainbows 3 (OT-SO)
Fresh Kills 4, Filthy Gorgeous 3 (OT-SO)
Playoff Preview: Semifinals (Part II)
Thursday, October 21st, 2010Rob Knows His Team Has Two Wins To Go
#8 Happy Little Elves (10-5-0-3) at #7 Sky Fighters (11-6-0-1)
Location: Tompkins East, 3:00 PM
All-Time Series: Tied 2-2
2010 Result: Week 16 – Happy Little Elves 3, Sky Fighters 2; Week 18 – Sky Fighters 6, Happy Little Elves 1
Game Notes: After splitting their first two games, these Hackett Division rivals will play their rubber match in the semifinals. In their first game, the Happy Little Elves unveiled their new “Elves Team Defense Initiative,” designed to improve what was then the worst defense in the league. The strategy worked, as the Elves held the Sky Fighters to just two goals and won the game 3-2. League scoring co-champion Trevor Beauclair scored twice for the Elves in the victory. Beauclair also had a goal in these teams’ Week 18 contest, but alas, that was the only offense for the Elves that day. The Sky Fighters blitzed the porous Elves defense for six goals, including a hat trick by defender Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka, who did not play in the first matchup. In spite of this setback, the Elves’ defense has been a little more passable during the playoffs. After nearly blowing a big lead against La Famiglia in the round of 16, the Elves stiffened up against Donohue Division champion Fresh Kills with a solid 3-2 overtime victory. The Sky Fighters have been even more impressive in their two playoff wins, a 2-1 victory over the Fairy Tale Cup champion Dark Rainbows and a 4-0 shutout against the MacNeil Division champion Tompkins Square Riots. As the defending champions strive to win their seventh straight playoff game en route to a second title, the Elves’ defense will need their best effort of the season to advance to the championship game.
Keys To The Game For The Sky Fighters:
1. Because of his team’s tremendous offensive depth, goaltender James Stein is often overlooked. However, he has allowed just one goal in two playoff games and contributed to the Sky Fighters’ third ranked defense in the regular season.
2. The Sky Fighters were proud to welcome Robert Kucera back into their lineup last week after he missed several games with an unspecified upper body injury. His presence was felt immediately, as he tallied two goals in their quarterfinal win.
3. Forward David Cernan does not like to play defense (how very Elf-like of him!), sometimes to the extent that he will refuse to cross mid-court into the Sky Fighters’ defensive zone. Regardless, this gambit paid off last week, as he notched his first goal of the playoffs.
Keys To The Game For The Happy Little Elves:
1. Believe it or not, the Elves actually owe much of their success to the gameplanning abilities of co-captain Rich Glanzer. Although he is often a tad sluggish on defense, his strategies, including opportunistic water breaks and timeouts, have led to several of the team’s biggest moments. However, there has yet to be a strategy that has been as successful and effective as that of Martin “Ocho Cinco” Cejka.
2. In addition to being the team’s (and the league’s) leading scorer, rookie all-star Trevor Beauclair has also been one of the Elves’ most clutch performers. His game-winning goal in overtime against Fresh Kills sent the Elves to the semifinals.
3. Although Beauclair steals most of the spotlight, the Elves’ brunette rookie Ryan Nakahara has also been integral to the team’s success. He scored seven goals during the regular season, and his game-tying heroics forced overtime in last week’s quarterfinal.
Eli’s Pick: Happy Little Elves. I’m hoping to pick their game incorrectly for the third straight week.
Derek’s Pick: Sky Fighters. I’m hoping to pick the Elves’ game correctly for the third straight week.
Watchability: 4.5 Long Island Loudmouths
