« CPA Empire® Weekly Newsletter – March 7, 2008 | Main | CPA Empire® Weekly Newsletter – March 14, 2008 »
March 12, 2008
Back-to-Back-to Back
Electric. That is the only way to describe the atmosphere during last night’s championship game between Team Chaos and the Raid. Every player came into the game focused on one goal – winning a championship…and contract extensions…and endorsement opportunities. Team Chaos was also seeking a record breaking third consecutive championship and a permanent place in hockey history as a true dynasty.
A star-studded crowd filled the stadium to capacity, with numerous celebrities filling the front row and luxury boxes. A sea of homemade signs and banners filled the arena – “I love you Joe Lochi!” “Where is Lou?” “Ringo and Rusty Rock!” and “Go Avs!” were the most common. Several thousand fans that couldn’t get their hands on the hottest tickets in town turned the arena parking lot into one huge tailgating party. Although, the parking lot did thin out a bit when word spread through the crowd this was not in fact the Colorado Avalanche – Anaheim Ducks game, which was taking place at another local arena last night. Nevertheless, the fans were amped up and ready to watch the two best teams in the league face off, with the championship on the line.
As the skaters took the ice for pregame warm-ups, the overwhelming number of Chaos fans in the stands made their voices heard with a stadium shaking ovation. The crowd’s excitement turned into absolute pandemonium as the fans took in the most unlikely sight imaginable at a Chaos hockey game – Head Coach George Avery was actually in the arena and coaching from the bench!
The arrival of Coach Avery, regarded as one of the most innovative and unorthodox coaches in professional sports, clearly shocked the members of the media in the press box. After coaching remotely the entire season, what would Avery’s presence mean to the team? Having never met several of the players in person, would this sudden change in strategy spur the team on to victory or simply create confusion?
From the opening face off, the Chaos took control of the game with an intense offensive onslaught. Leading the charge was late season rookie call-up Brian Chase. During the biggest game of his young career, Chase took his skating to another level and dominated from the moment he took the ice, on his way to a record 10 goals. Hysterical fans seemed understandably confused about the appropriate response to so many goals. As numerous Chaos players have become virtual goal scoring machines this season, most fans ran out of hats to throw onto the ice long before the playoffs began. So, when Chase notched his tenth goal, a mix of socks, gloves, shirts, and at least two pairs of pants sailed onto the ice in celebration.
While the Chaos offensive surge kept the Raid on their heels, stingy defense and another spectacular game from All-Star Goalie Pat Avery, held the Raid offensive firepower in check for the entire game.
In addition to Chase’s incredible 10 goal performance, the Chaos also received scoring from Scott Richter (3), Steve Kilberg (1), and Rusty “Nails” Powers (1) to help the team to a 15-2 victory and their third consecutive championship!
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the entire team took their celebration onto the ice, quickly followed by a wave of fans. Defenseman/General Manager Steve Richter accepted the championship trophy on behalf of the entire team and held it high, as the Chaos faithful roared their approval.
Later, in a champagne soaked locker room, the media caught up with Coach Avery and a number of Chaos players.
“Tonight’s game was the culmination of a year long coaching strategy that I put into place during the pre-season,” said Coach Avery. “It was my long-term plan, ever since my cable went out earlier this evening and I realized that I wouldn’t be able to watch American Idol, that I would coach this incredible team in person tonight. Does anyone know who got voted off this week?”
A huge media contingent surrounded the locker of rookie phenom Brian Chase. One question was on the minds of every reporter. “Brian Chase, you’ve just been named championship game MVP, what are you going to do now?” “I’m going to Six Flags Elitch Gardens!” answered an obviously excited Chase.
The Chaos have cemented their place in the hockey Hall-of-Fame with the first back-to-back-to-back championship in Boulder Valley Ice Adult Hockey League history. Be sure to visit www.HockeySkate.net for more coverage of the Team Chaos Three-Peat!
Posted by Tom at March 12, 2008 01:35 AM