“As the playoffs begin…”
Okay! My beloved Rock missed the playoffs again. A season that seemed to start with so much promise…a bunch of very talented new guys; a coaching staff I really liked and still do for that matter; a new beginning. And somewhere the wheels fell off, so to speak. Sometimes this team looked like the best team around. And at other times….not so good, and that is being kind. So…now! Who to cheer for? That’s easy actually. My second favourite team, of course, and boys! So- the Calgary Roughnecks are my team through this series of single game crapshoots that is the NLL playoffs. Exciting but hard on the nerves for sure. Because on any day anything can happen. And the best prepared team will win. Just ask the 2003 Knighthawks. Now why the Roughies? Well they are a Canadian team but it has more to do with who than where. Kaleb Toth became a favourite when he played in Toronto, long before he scored “The Goal”. This young man took the time to be nice to a very special young friend of mine who had an awkward teenage crush on him. Pictures, autographs and always a kind word. And he has been just as nice to this fan as well. Add to him an overabundance of my summer team, the Brampton Excelsiors. Five to be precise. And one of my favourite team guys, Pat Campbell. Having been on a team with him a few summers ago, I know this team is lucky to have such a great team guy. Oh and that Kelusky fellow. Great chauffeur and tour guide. And a pretty good team leader. Then there is the coaching staff. Again- Brampton guys. Not sure who is a bigger fan of who but I can always count on the absolute truth from my pal, Troy Cordingley. And respect for what I bring to the game. And “T” Sanderson- the biggest softie in the game; and one of my fiercest defenders. So…hopefully these two can find a way to get their boys to bring their “A” game because they will need it. Problem for me, however, is that I have favourites on every team that made it into the playoff rounds. Some more than others so I guess that is how I decide who I actually cheer for. Except…in spite of that there are some teams I just can’t cheer out loud for. Why you ask? I have a fear, unfounded of course but fun none the less. I don’t want to break out into a rash or develop a permanent twitch so I don’t actually think I can say “Go B….Ba….Ban…Guys Who Wear Halloween Colours….Go”. But I do have a solution for that, thanks to some of my lacrosse buddies….”Go Not ‘Insert Team The Halloween Colour Guys Are Playing’”. Although in the first round I will not have to use that because I can actually cheer out loud for the other guys. Why? I have a whole bunch of reasons. Another of my favourites- a guy I have been following since he was an awkward teenager who hadn’t quite figured how to coordinate his 6’6” frame yet. Now people call him Dangerous Dan and his name is on most fans’ short list for league MVP. Plus his baby brother. Plus the next Veltman. Plus my dearest friend’s favourite goalie. Plus…plus…plus. So….Go Blazers. And all the other guys. Play nice. Please nobody get hurt. And may the best men win. And may we get closely contested games that keep fans where they should be- right on the edge of their seats. Because that is what is best for the league.