Legends Look to Championship Tuesday

A lot has changed for the Legends in the last little while. It probably started when All-World net minder, Matt Metros, spontaneously combusted while meditating between periods during one of the last games played at the Omni. One minute, Matt is in his usual peaceful place, the next, like a spinal tap drummer, a smoldering globule in the crease.

This monumental occurrence could have summoned the end for The Legends, but instead the brain trust of Tony, Rick and Steve (not to be confused with Moe, Larry, and Curly) vowed to put The Legends back on the path to success.

It was Rick and Tony who noticed in the back of the Hockey News, an article about a hockey missionary doing work in Zimbabwe. They also read how, even with much work to be done to show the great sport of hockey to the native athletes, that the missionary was on the brink of collapse. and unless its founder and two disciples could find funding, they would have to return home to the states, mission incomplete. The missionary was run by goaltender Geoff Foltin, who at one time had been a championship goalie for The Bombers, the team which spawned The Legends. His disciples were goal scorer Chad Slobodian, and enforcer Jim Schulze. A bad break for Zimbabwe was about to turn into a bonanza for The Legends.

Upon hearing this information, Legend Captain Steve took to action, and sent word via carrier pigeon to the Zimbabwe mission. The message told of the bizarre twist of fate that left the team without a goalie, and hoped that if things didnt work in Africa, that he and his disciples were needed here.

Months passed without word. Until one night, with two games left to play at the Omni, a strange noise was heard outside as the team was dressing for battle. The men rushed to the door to see what was the commotion. Just as they got to the door, they found that their message was answered, as Geoff and his disciples dismounted their donkeys from the long trip from Zimbabwe. "I heard you guys need a goalie?" was all he said as he grabbed his gear from his pack mule. Amen.

Forward to January 2010. The Legends have found a new league and new venue to show off their abundant skills. With the return of Foltin and his disciples, and the addition of some of the rival Stink Stars to the team, The Legends go into the playoffs of their first session at Homer Glen Megaplex as the number 2 seed in the in the tourney. The first game Tuesday at Homer Glen is at 8:30, with the championship game to follow after a break.

"I think after the arrival of Foltin from his monumental journey, I would say we are a team of destiny." said the Captain. Why don't you join us and find out?

Fellowship and Goodwill Abound as Hitmen Hand Legends Third Straight Loss

In spite of losing their third straight game, the Legends felt like winners after their game Monday night. The overwhelming privilege of facing "Eric the Great" and his merry band of men, almost overcomes the thrill of the game.
The night started off well as "The Great" gave a short speech on the virtues of sportsmanship. Then validated his wisdom by insisting on playing the entire game short handed, as he knew that a few of the Legends are a bit long of tooth.
Well, the game went off without a hitch and many light hearted moments were enjoyed by both teams, in the spirit of good competition. In the end, the undeniable skill of the Hitmen shown through as they came away winners by a score of 9 to7. But nothing shown brighter than the example of class in sport that is "Eric the Great" and the Hitmen.


Next week is a bye for the Legends, but you will want to make plans now to be in attendance the following week as the Legends celebrate Alternate Captain, and true hockey legend, Rick "Walters" Watkins 55th birthday. Gordie Howe look out! That game will be at 7:00 pm. Come early for a meet and greet with one of the game true greats.

Legends Drop Second Game of the Season to Rival Stinkstars

You can talk sports rivalries till the cows come home... Yankees-Red Sox, Bears-Packers, Red Wings-Blackhawks, but in all of sport, perhaps none is bigger than Legends-Stinkstars. And on this, the first meeting of the new session between these two clubs at the Omni this past Monday, the tension could be cut with a slap chop.

As the game began it looked as though the Legends would pick up where they left off the the last meeting of these two goliaths. In that game the Stinkstars suffered their only regular season loss, due to an early scoring flurry by the Legends. This game had the same flavor early as the Legends dented the net in the first period. As play continued however, the Stinkstars would not be denied as they clawed their way to a 3 all tie late in the second period. At that point the game changed for good as Brad Piasecki scored three unanswered goals to put the Stinkstars up for good. The game was played, even after that, with the exception of an empty net goal by Stinkstar Captain Mike Dearmond.

A post game interview with Legends Captain Steve Parkes revealed some answers to the Stinkstars success. "Not to make excuses, but our all world net minder Matt Metros had his left leg sever at the groin late in the second. "


"As always, cool as a cucumber, Matt re-attached his leg with some hockey tape and an old skate lace. Needless to say he wasn't 100% when Piasecki scored his goals."




The Legends play perenial Sportsmanship award winners, The Hitmen, at 9:00pm Monday night. Be there!

Improved effort has Legends looking to the stars, Stink Stars that is

A refocused Legends team took to the rink this past Monday for what turned out to be a hard fought loss. After perhaps their worst ever performance in the previous game, the Legends came to play on this night. However the absence of world class players Ryan Gregory, Matt Metros, and Rick "Walters" Watkins, left a cavernous void that that could not be filled despite the hard work of the remaining players. From the outset of the game the positive turn around was evident as the Legends played an all around team game that gave the Old School team fits. Only Legends fatigue and a hot goalie gave the Old School players the "w".

The improved effort inspired this from Legends Captain Steve Parkes, "The game we played the week before was atrocious. It was like we were abducted by aliens and they replaced us with beings that had never seen a hockey game before. Just terrible. But this week we pulled it together and if we would have had a full rooster, I'm sure we would have won. It gives me a real good feeling about ourselves going into Wednesdays game against the Stink Stars."

In spite of a narrow victory against the Hit Men, the Stink Stars are concerned about facing a rejuvenated Legend squad. Stink Star star Ryan "The Great One" Parkes said this. "Anytime a team gets a player like Walters, who has played over 9,000 games back, its gonna give that team a huge boost. Besides that their team speed defensively is also a factor that may be hard to overcome."

Let's have a hockey hoot-nanny this Wednesday at the Omni at 8:30. First 10,000 fans get a Tony Gregory autographed tooth pick, so get there early. (actual number of tooth picks limited to stock on hand)

G-force too much for Warhawks

In aviation, if a pilot is subjected to sustained g-forces he will probably black out. Now, however, the same effect can be found on the hockey rink.

Legendary Legend forward, and Alternate Captain, Tony Gregory has always been a force on the hockey floor. As noticed by his strong skating that has virtually exploded wheels, and his determined skills with the puck, it was a real blessing for the Legends, when he was able to recruit his youngest son, Scott to the club. But in an off season surprise, Tony convinced his second son, Ryan to join the fold. Fortunately for the the Legends, both have the same great attributes that have made there father a Legend , but with a bit more flair. Unfortunately for the Warhawks, uniting the 3 Gs on a forward line this past Monday at the Omni, spelled certain doom, as the sustained effect of 3 Gs was more than they could bare.

From the drop of the puck, the Warhawks were under siege by the 3Gs as well as the rest of the legend bench. Admirably the depleted Warhawks kept it close for a while only to succumb to the irresistible pressure. The final score was 9 to 5, thanks largely to a heroic effort by Warhawks goalie Garrett.

In spite of some defensive breakdowns, legend goalie, Matt Metros had another strong game. Next bash is Wednesday 4/29/09 at 7:00 pm. Get there early!

Wounds licked - Legends look to bounce back

After a thorough spanking by reigning league champs - the Jokers, the Legends look to make a strong comeback tonight against the Warhawks. After what was thought to be a measuring stick game, the only things that were revealed were that A) the Jokers will never contend for a sportsmanship award and B) the Legends were not quite up to their normal level of excellence.

With the exception of another stellar goaltending performance by elite netminder Matt Metros, the rest of the club appeared to be somewhat out of sink and sluggish. Only a hardworking goal by pesky forward Jason Meske spoiled the Jokers bid for a shut out.

The Legends will have a go at it tonight without alternate captain and versatile experienced defenseman Rick Watkins. Legends Captain Steve Parkes had this to say about tonight's tilt. "There is no way to put into words the value that a 'Rick Walters' brings to a team. I mean he has probably played about 9,000 games. It would take several players to compensate for that level of experience. Besides, he's one of my favorite people in the world to have a beer with after the game."

Next game: Monday, 4/20/09 - 9:30 pm at the Omni. Good seats still available.