Monday, August 25, 2014

Cowboys Do It Again - 1 Goal Differences Make the Difference

In light of the recent disappointment facing the Cowboys and the rest of the EASHL, last week's playoffs were among the most heated events to date.

The Canadian Cowboys were faced with unique circumstances for the majority of these playoffs. En route to their first game, the Cowboys' second team bus broke down - arriving to the arena in time for the game were veteran D-man Jacques Bonjour (Montreal, QC) and All-Star RW Soup Is Yum (Hong Kong, CH). With the referees pressing for puck drop and millions of fans tuning in world-wide, Bonjour and Yum had no choice but to call up their minors and play on, with Bonjour stepping into the center position.

Game 1 held it's share of ups and downs for the Cowboys. With a burning passion to win on the tips of their sticks, Yum and Bonjour were able to find eachother on the ice at every point. Late in the second period, Yum found Bonjour all alone out front and he was able to secure a 1-0 lead heading into the third period. Unfortunately, the news of the lockout seemed to have lit a fire in the bellies of their opponents, as the third period (which would turn out to be their last) brought with it an early game tying goal for their opponents.

1-1.

Late in the third period, Bonjour sent a pass right up the seam through a forest of lumber to the stick of Yum who wasted no time and went what has come to be known as "Classic Bumbai," feeding the puck through the five hole to send the Cowboys to the second round.

On their way to the second game, Bonjour and Yum received a call from their teammates who had just arrived at the previous arena - it seemed as though they would be flying solo - together - for game 2. Bonjour and Yum were able to hone their combined defensive prowess to shut out their opponents. A quick goal early in the first was enough to send the boys to the semi-finals; another 1 goal game for the Cowboys.

Continued bus troubles forced the two heroes to play the semi-finals with the assistance of their minor-league compatriots. Fortunately, the synapses were firing for the two veterans and the intimidation of playing without the rest of their boys was wearing off - something particularly important for Jacques Bonjour, who has played a total of 19 games up front; a pitiful statistic given the outstanding talent the Cowboys were up against.

"It is a...it is a good hockey game when we play with Soup. Soup is tres bien. J'aime beaucoup la soupe."

The semi-finals turned out to be yet another nail biter for the Cowboys and Cowgirls of the audience. Early in the first period, they were down 1-0 to what seemed to be a team of fierce competitors."It's okay man. Don't worry. We just have to go out there, make some slippery passes, and everything will be soupy sammy sossa slurping salmon smoothies" said Bumbai during intermission in a classic attempt to bring up his team mates. Make no mistake, these words of wisdom worked. The Cowboys came on strong in the third, tying the game midway through the period - a goal that would result in overtime. In the overtime period, Bumbai scored a goal on a partial breakaway, shielding the puck from the defenders and jamming it five hole - Classic Bumbai. The Cowboys were on their way to the Elite finals.

Although Yum and Bonjour were able to bring their team this far on their broad shoulders, they were elated to see the second Cowboy bus finally pull up to the arena for game time. Out of the bus came Elite left winger Michael the Magic (Georgetown, ON) and Legendary centerman I Always Come (Oakville/Burlington, ON) - and come they did.

The Cowboys were operating like a well oiled machine, every cog moving brilliantly through the motions. With an 81% pass completion statistic, coupled with 11 SOG from Magic and 8 more from Yum and Come combined, the scoreboard read Magic Come Yum and Yum Magic Come more than once. Taking an early 2-0 lead seemed like child's play for the Cowboys. Although their opponents were able to net two against the Cowboys, they weren't about to ruin the hard work of their teammates - the Cowboys would take their final game by, you guessed it, 1 goal.

With their 3-2 victory, the Canadian Cowboys were Elite Champions once more.

"It's really a great feeling every time" remarked Captain Magic following the game. "Our bus troubles were really getting us down, but to arrive in the Saddledome with towels spinning and fans crying - it's really something special time and again."

"I can't really explain it - our fans just go crazy. (laughs) I had a girl come up to me after the game and ask to take me out to breakfast." said I Always Come in the dressing room.

Regular season play resumes this Friday night where the Cowboys hope to hear more about the pending lockout discussions.

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