For most of us, there are places we’ve always wanted to visit that directly relate to our passions or beliefs. Our first journey to these places is more than just traveling, it’s fulfilling a goal or living a dream; a pilgrimage. In 2006 Wendy and I made our first ever “pilgrimage” when we traveled to Dallas, TX to see the Dallas Stars play. We still remember that first game, the sights, the sounds, the smells, all of it.
Dane Tilse scores for the Raiders
This weekend Wendy and I make another pilgrimage. You see, Wendy and I are Canberra Raiders fans and have never been to Canberra Stadium to see them play live. That is, until this Saturday. Wendy has been following the Raiders since 1993, and while hockey may now be her #1 favorite sport, has a big spot in her heart of Footy. Quite understandable when you consider her cousins are Kevin, Kerrod and Steve Walters.
On late Saturday afternoon when we’re sitting in the cold, wearing our Raiders gear cheering the Green Machine on, there will be another battle going on just across town.
Our Blue Tongues will also be in Canberra this weekend with 1 goal on the agenda… 2 wins against the Canberra Knights. The Tongues are playing well and have their eyes set on one of those final 4 spots on the ladder. The Knights are all but mathematically eliminated from the AIHL Playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a difference. Tongues fans from years back may remember when the Knights eliminated the the boys in blue from playoff contention. A season later, they pretty much did it again. There is history, and rivalry between these 2 clubs, a rivalry that is only intensified by former Blue Tongues Captain, Mark Rummukainen now wearing the C for the Knights.
While we will miss the Saturday Blue Tongues vs Knights game, we will be there Sunday ready to witness the Blue Tongues nail down a victory!
GO RAIDERS! GO TONGUES!
Blue Tongues fans tend to be a passionate group. We’ve been through some of the highest and lowest moments while following this team and while many have given up on the team over the years, there are those loyal to the bitter end who go to each and every game, spending their money, their time and giving their all to support the boys in blue.
Over the recent years there have been a few times where fans have looked upon this team and experienced “WTF” moments. From the signing and subsequent embarrassment that was Brian Lachance and Gaetan Royer, to the constant playing of less than steller Ben Maher, we’ve often found ourselves wondering why certain decisions are made by the coaching staff and upper management.
This weekend, the opening games of the 2010 AIHL season for our Blue Tongues, we yet again experienced that all too common sensation. Saturdays game saw Luke Fiveash pick up a 6-5 win for the Tongues, a win that while gets us the points also highlighted a major issue with the team… is getting scored on 5 times a night going to be constant? Sunday answered that question, as once again the Blue Tongues failed to stop the opposition from scoring. Luke Fiveash got the start for the game and let in 5 goals once again, off 20 something shots… stats that are not good by any stretch of the imagination. The defense was miserable for the most part, especially Don Burke, so showed he may be closer to retirement that he is willing to admit.
But that’s not the problem. Having a goalie that lets in goals happens in every team, in every league around the world. The difference between those teams is the Blue Tongues is that they have coaches who are willing to stand up and yell at their goalie to get the hell off his ice. Today, while a few hundred fans all started commenting that the coach should pull the goalie, Luke Fiveash let in goal number 4, then goal number 5… and by then it was too late, so they pulled him and gave up the empty netter.
I have never seen so many fans on the verge of pure anger as i did today. Not at the loss though, but at the absolute lack of coaching from Coach Sands, who simply took no action to try and stop the blood gashing from the netminding injury the team had incurred!
I believe it’s safe to say that the general consensus during most of todays third period was simply “Coach Sands… Pull the f****** goalie!!!!”
