Team Babushka (Dark) 12 vs. Team Rocks (White) 8
First win for Babushka in convincing fashion…
Friday, January 24, 2003

Better late than never, both team captains have finally dubbed their squads with names, and they be insider jokes at that ... go figure. After last week's low scoring affair, this week's game explodes for a twenty goal outburst akin to an NHL all-star game (or at least what the MDHL is used to seeing). With all close games to-date, Team Babs were still looking for their first win of the series and they got it in convincing fashion with multiple leads including healthy five goal margins for most of the game. Call it puck-luck or whatever but Team Babs could do no wrong! Even though F Lawrence "that horseshoe up my butt is cooling off I think" Lau was not a huge factor as in games past, their team's offense was not lacking. Team Babs' F Kenny "the stick makes the man and don't you forget it" Chiu continues to light the lamp while also getting good chemistry and contribution from the alternate line of Kwon/Chang/Quan and also some surprising offense from D Randy "tired of blocking shots... it's time to kick ass" Parmar.

Up against the hot play of netminder Mike "another day in the office for me" Smith, Team Rocks' offensive players could not capitalize when most needed. Smokey was solid and stellar at times, particularly on a Gon "use the force, dammit" Yip breakaway where he stopped the post-hitting puck reaching back on a second effort. On the other end, it appeared sub replacement G Ken "born to play MDHL hockey" Takeda could not buy a break in net against the Babs' onslaught and it didn't help any with some key giveaways by assistant Jason "so that's why Cherry sez to play it deep" Lai. Bright spots? Not really. Okay, D Rich "double-agent" Chang filled in nicely on a sub basis for Team Rocks...

Meanwhile, injured MDHLer Allen "starting physio and the long winding road to recovery" Leung watched from the stands as a mild spark was lit in the game's intensity when a questionable two-line pass was called negating a Babs' breakaway opportunity. It appeared Team Rocks might get back into the game but the lead was just too much and the game was over. Rumour has it the Rocks' assistant took some frustrations out on the ice guy...

MDHL 3 Stars:
3. Kenny Chiu... redeeming himself nicely from last series' relatively quiet campaign.
2. Randy Parmar... solid on D and provides some scoring punch on offense.
1. Mike Smith... opposition couldn't buy a goal tonight, mostly 'cuz he wasn't selling.