The final game of the opening weekend featured the Rhinos attacking the Wolves. The game began with great confusion as the Wolves came out of the gate wearing Sharks uniforms. How pathetic it was seeing John Long wearing a Sharks uniform. He was even seen hounding Wally “the Winner” Hobbs for an autograph.

This game featured a fine goaltending battle between Tingley and Lunman, both named Andrew. The Wolves started the game going hard to the net every chance they got. It was like a playoff game for them. Maybe some players on the Wolves were replaying last year’s finals, out for revenge when it doesn’t really count.

The Wolves hard-nosed play paid off when they opened the scoring sometime in the first period. They had several other scrambles around the net but were not able to capitalize. Then Drew Ross forced a turnover at the blue line and was rewarded with a break-away. Never to miss a free meal, always disgruntled winger Mike O’Neill beat the trailing Wolf to find a puck sitting in the crease all alone. He then buried it along the ice for the tying goal. It was incredible vision to follow the play like a vulture on the plains of the Serengeti.

The Wolves really worked hard and did score two more (none by John Long) but eventually the momentum turned in favor of the Rhinos. Unknown winger/centermen Alex Whalen “Smithers” broke away again past the sloppy Wolves defense and potted an easy goal making heads turn in an audience crowded with English teachers who did not work Kindergarten, trophy Taiwanese girlfriends and disgruntled foreign girls. This made the score 3-2 going into the third.

The third period saw the Rhinos come out like gangbusters. Rhino coach J.P wanted to establish himself as a coach without a speech but with a mission by dropping first year player Jay to the second line and mentioned something about going down to two lines which nobody heard. The Rhinos then scored but not before winger Mike O’Neill broke his stick on a routine slapper. Aggravated by the FACT that the Monoline stick was only a scrimmage and two periods old, the winger threw his stick over the boards in a fury. Patience Monty. To the surprise of John Long, the Referee never gave O’Neill a misconduct, which he certainly deserved. This brought back memories of the blown call in the finals last year by pal Mal.

The game ended in a tie, a credit to the fine play of both goalies named Andrew. Three shooters were selected for both teams with Mike O’Neill, Drew Ross and Alex Whalen “Smithers” going for the Rhinos and John Long and two other guys going for the Wolves. O’Neill was the first shooter and went down the ice looking for low blocker which is usually easy for these goalies who only get out twice a month if that. But then Lunman surprised O’Neill with amazing agility for such a husky jean type of guy. O’Neill then faked the shoot, faked going left and then went right. Lunman bought it for a second but then guessed left and made the move. O’Neill went really wide and threw the puck into the far corner for his second goal of the season. It was easily the most exciting one on one battle of the game.

All the others failed to score and in an embarrassing moment, veteran winger John Long of the Wolves tried to drop on the puck and slide into the net. It was so cute! The final at the end of the game was a victory for the Rhinos. The game was highlighted by several fine performances especially Dylan Lui and Robin Chung for the Wolves who demonstrated that they got their money’s worth at Mono Cash-grab school, and Alex Whalen Smithers who has a good scoring touch and Dave “I’m only twenty two” Cameron. Dave played a solid game on defense and showed that the Rhinos have a solid two units of D as long as Jimmy Thai shows up. John Long went to the refs after to make sure that he got his three assists. I saw it.