ANN ARBOR–Ashley’s Ruination moved past the Depot Town Stags 6-3 Tuesday night to advance to the C-league Championship, which will include a best-of-three series for the first time in the league’s storied history. The series however, is not without controversy, as players and directors have wondered openly about the move.
“I wonder openly about the move,” said GM Mark Woods. “I tried wondering closely, but was told ‘not so close.'”
The BCS was in part a reaction to the desire to “eliminate chance” from the championship and to “enhance” the league. “We feel that this will generate excitement, bring in more fans,” said BCS director Bill Hankook. “We must have had ten or twelve show up for just the semi-final match-up last night… with hand-made signs!”
“It’s almost like real sports!” exclaimed Hankook.
The BCS committee has tried in vain to break the “50-fan” barrier for several years, including such changes as “rock, scissors, paper” to determine overtime tie-breaks, partnering with Sean Payeur’s Hookers & Blow Outreach Program, and the disastrous “Puck off!” and “Puck you!” marketing campaigns.
The 2009 championship game was hosted “off-site” in Miami, Florida’s Orange Bowl. “That was quite a challenge trying to keep the ice from melting,” stated Hankook. “But, it helped that none of the players, coaches, refs, or fans could afford to fly down for the game.”
“I think I was the only one in Florida for the 2009 championship,” said defenseman Mark Woods. “We (Ruination) weren’t even in the championship game… and I actually just went home to visit my folks for Christmas.”
Six different players scored for Ruination Tuesday night, including Brett Vogel, Payeur, Matt Schaefer, Jason Spence, Jordan Swift, and Sean McGrath. Ashley’s will face either the Cleveland Steamers or the Black Bears in the series.