Ashley’s Ruination (5-2-1) fought off a surly Blackbears team and an even surlier referee early Wednesday for a 6-1 victory. Defenseman Jason Spence scored two goals, including the final score, shaking the goalie before dropping it through the five-hole.
Defenseman Brett Vogel was strong at the blue line, weaving past several Bears before blasting it past the goalie in the second.
“Beautiful!” exclaimed center Sean McGrath. McGrath and two others added goals.
The game had a classic Ruination feel as both teams racked up 55 total minutes in penalties. “Don’t worry,” said a reassuring Spence. “They only called half of them.”
Problems began when the referee Jeff Opsahl dropped the puck before the team had set, claiming that Ruination was stalling to end the period. Angry comments began to flow back and forth. “I was seeing double,” said forward Devin Collinridge. It was not determined if Collinridge in fact meant that literally after receiving a hard check into the boards late in the third.
“Drop the puck!” several players yelled from the bench. Opsahl obliged by giving Ruination a bench minor. However, he eventually did drop the puck, and play resumed.
Steve Pouliot, frustrated by the poor calls, was tossed from the game late in the third. According to sources, he initially threatened to leave the league, opting to play for Ashley’s Hopslam. However, Pouliot later cleared up the matter, stating that he was not going to Hopslam. “I’m going to Bell’s Brewery to drink Hopslam.”
Those sources are now under investigation.