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The Enforcer
2014-11-09Some folks,... Still refer to the enforcer as a goon. In days of old, or past era's, this individual may have been on the roster for just one purpose, intimidation! In the past, this "goon" may have been easy to spot, big, bulky and usually riding the end of the bench. This player served a limited ...
Some folks,...
Still refer to the enforcer as a goon. In days of
old, or past era's, this individual may have been
on the roster for just one purpose, intimidation!
In the past, this "goon" may have been easy to
spot, big, bulky and usually riding the end of the
bench. This player served a limited role. He may
be out on the ice to harass or intimidate the
opposing teams star player. He might be out on
the ice to try to disrupt the opposing teams
momentum. Or, if his own teams star player was
being harassed, this player went out to see justice
was served, and the star wasn't picked on.
In today's hockey these individuals still exist, but
may not be as easy to spot. In the NHL or professional
leagues, the management may have to weigh the
benefits of rostering such a player. Is he taking a
roster spot that an up and coming prospect should
have? Is it financially feasible to have this player on
the roster? Will his returns be worth it?
More often these days, the enforcer is harder to
spot because he's a skill player like the rest of the
team. Lean, but muscular, but is a tough guy in
attitude, more than appearance. Yes, the enforcer
is still there, but you may not spot him until justice
needs to be served. So,... don't try running over
the goalie.... The Bears have had enforcers, but the
likes of Thompson, Harmsen and Manowske, have
moved on in life and their careers.
Do the Bears have a new breed of enforcers? Only
by watching the game may you tell. Such a game
took place this past Saturday as the Bears hosted
the West Bend Bombers in an exhibition tilt. Some
folks in attendance wondered if bad blood still existed
after the Bears grounded the Bombers 7-2 in the
championship game of the GLHL Tournament this
past April.
Well,... It was the Bombers that scored first as #13
Scotty Holtz corralled a loose puck that bounded
around in front of the Bears crease for about 10
seconds before Scott rang it up with 15:08 remaining
in the opening frame. The game settled into a game
of skill, and the score remained 1-0, Bombers at
the first intermission.
The second period erupted with tempers, as no less
than 9 penalties were whistled. It was the Bears who
capitalized amidst these disruptions as #27 Tyler Grebe
found twine with 8:26 remaining, unassisted. 67 ticks
later, #19 Ryan Smet lit the lamp on a power play as
#10 Cory George and Grebe assisted. About 3:19 later
Bears #18 Aron Holmes cranked another power play
goal home with Smet and #16 Mike Mathwig assisting,
and the Bears held a small lead 3-1, heading into the
2nd intermission.
Yet, the Bombers felt a need to prove something this
evening. Bears #9 Terry Kalata visited the red light
6 minutes in, as #20 Tom Glomski and Mathwig assisted.
But the Bombers,... Hammered back! Holtz struck again
on a power play with 10:38 remaining and #7 Dan Jarenko
also rung up a power play goal 37 seconds later.
Suddenly, it was only 4-3 Bears. Exciting? Hail Yeah!
Play intensified, and with 1:01 remaining in regulation,
the Bombers called timeout. Trying to capitalize on a late
Bears penalty, the Bombers pulled their goalie 7 seconds
later for an extra attacker. The Bears defense turned away
key shots and goalie #1 Randy Willis made some big saves.
As the puck towards center ice, Bears #23 Cody Sokolik
broke free from the penalty box with 10 seconds remaining,
eluded a Bomber defenseman, and crushed an empty net
goal with 3 ticks remaining. The final: Bears 5 Bombers 3
The Bears head up to Appleton next Saturday to take on
the Fox Cities Ice Dogs in an exhibition contest, before
returning home on Friday November 28th to face the
Waupan Wolves in an exhibition tilt. The Bears thus far:
0-0-0 (0 points) League 4-0-0 Overall