Fergus falls to Cards -- Tom's report

Here's Tom Obert's report on last night's girls hockey game. His gang of "Super Fans" have earned a photo in the trophy case for their enthusiastic support of the home team.

Tom writes:

The Alexandria girls hockey team celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. day by beating the Otters last night.  This was a game between the pre-season conference title favorites - until St. Cloud combined into one team, that is - but the first period was played as if both teams had the holiday blahs.  There were only 5 shots on goal total for the period, and I don't think the Cards registered their first until way late in the period.  Although the quality of play stayed pretty ragged for the entire game, the intensity really picked up making for an exciting game.  Michelle Anez scored first for the Cards but Otters tied it up by the end of the 2nd period.  The Otters scored early in the 3rd period to take a 2 - 1 lead.  Then, after what we believe was a delay-of-game call, Shelby Iverson of the Cards was awarded a penalty shot.  Shelby is a big part of what we call "the future" - a freshman center who is already a fan favorite because her naturally curly hair makes her requisite ponytail a tad askew.  Well, she made a beautiful move and scored, lost her edge and crashed into the boards, but laid on the ice pumping her fist.  Then I thought, what a putz!  I'm allegedly the cub reporter, and I sat there the whole time with my video camera in my pocket during this rare hockey event (only recall one other penalty shot - Abby Williams scored on one several years ago - forgot to "shoot" that one too!).  [But then I also hadn't noticed until last night that the Super Fans are pictured in the team display case (lower left) at the arena.]  Shortly thereafter, Michelle got her second goal - the game winner.  The Cards held on as the Otters pulled their goalie late in the game.

And Patty, I don't care if you read this next part on KXRA.  But the Super Fans have noticed that the Fergus fans have a real problem.  They are far and away the worst fans that ever come to our arena.  They are loud, rude, crude, boorish, profane - they are an embarrassment to their team and to their town.  This was not just last night - we have noticed this ever since we started following girls hockey seven years ago.  And it's not an Alex bias against Fergus.  The Super Fans are all retirees in Alex for 10 years or less, and I'm the only one originally from Alex, but they have all noticed and commented on it. 

Finally, a political shot.  Ted Justice, "Roadblock's" dad, is scheduled to play in the National Pond Hockey tournament in the Cities this weekend.  This a big time event with over 80 teams competing - if your team doesn't sign up the first day, you won't make it in.  Anyway, in the heart of winter in Minnesota, the weather forecast is calling for . . . RAIN!  Now, poor old Al Gore and global warming scientists have been taking quite a beating the last several weeks (but remember, it was weather, not climate) - I just wonder if they'll be exonerated by the weekend's balminess?  ;-)

p.s.  Note to Doctor Colonel Professor Kiehne - your dad was there last night with the whole fam damily to watch Alyssa play.


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 Yes, Tom. Climate change can be confusing. Now put down the axe and come back in the house.