The Conversation:    link to the best part

Al:

Vince, we've lost 6 games in a row, we are not enjoying the game.
Boo Hooo!!!!

Luc:

I know how you feel...

Dave N:

Al...
The White Team needs your leadership....you are sorely missed....
....and to be completely fair.....The Black Team players have done a fantastic job of working as a Team, passing the puck around, setting up in the offensive zone.....on the other hand....the White Team members could learn a few things about how to play as a Team and manage their positions (certain players excluded)......these comments have been run past Howie Meeker and Don Cherry for accuracy....
Bottom line: White needs to get their act together.
Other than that, I have nothing to say....
There.

Cory:

Black team victory tomorrow... Joes. Gonna score too

Jack:

[To Cory] You're going to have to bounce your fourth goal off someone, 'cause you're thirty-something. Of course if you try to bounce one off him and miss... it's only one pitcher of beer. 

Sonny:

Jack makes up rules as he loses. Lol. Dark victory. WOOHOO

Al:

Don't you love the intensity!!!! Best part always is the bullshit at the Prescott. Don't worry White, in the words of that famous African American spiritual " we shall overcome"

Jack:

[To Etch]  Lots of talk about a decades rule:  You can’t score more goals in a game than the decades of your age. A player in his thirties may score three goals only. After that he has to bounce one in off Vinnie, Joe or equivalent, or buy a pitcher at the Prescott if the rule is broken. You, on the other hand, Dave, may score six, and it would be our pleasure to see that.    Oh, and: No cutting to the net from the corner. 
Suggested additions to the rules have been forwarded to the man in charge (or just Etch so far): the Decades rule and No cutting to the net from the corner. Apparently clotheslining isn’t on the books. Just sayin’. 

Nate:

 RGR all that Al!! Especially the Prescott part. Hang in there White. Al shall return!

Frank:

Dark victory.  I like that Sonny!

Al:

Whatever happened to impartiality by the leader!!!!!!

Dave N:

In the words of Al Emond:  “I read the book …the Power of Positive Thinking…twice…..it doesn’t work!” Al is down South…..working on his new “overcomb” hairstyle with Nathan…..They are putting together a more cohesive White Team Strategy…..which may include passing and positional play…..we think….
As for Frank…..he is running out of Advil and will return in due course…no word on the look of the new tattoos…… There you have it.

Nate:

Hardly have time to think about hockey what with all the tennis, golf, biking, beaching/shelling, cocktail hour….etc.  Al will sort it out when he gets back, at least try to get the teams evened up. Sounds like the ice is tilted a bit to the North right now.

Frank,   Have a bloody mojito and chill out!! 
Important question: When’s the Final game and Party?

Frank:

Mainly drinking Sol Nate.  Final is April 13th. Party venue yet to be determined. See everyone early April.  ... Dark Victory!!

Jack:

Assuming games will be booked up to the party, the final seven would be March 23, 27, 30, April 3, 6, 10, and 13, party day. Sound right?

Dave N:

Congratulations to the White Team…….I am sure that Matty’s exceptional passing skills, positional play and overall playmaking helped reconfigure the White approach to the game…..made it more fun …..a good thing…..and Al Emond will reinforce these principles upon his return…..(I checked all of this through Howie Meeker)……there.

Al:

Leaving 85F, beautiful condo overlooking the water, cheap happy hours and wonderful sights on the beach for -20c and smelly dressing rooms! Can't wait.

Sonny:

[To Al] Stay longer. Jack makes up rules. Al not here crying about dark to strong so let stack white. Games have been even but white still cries. I want to see the rule book. Lol

 

Frank:

Note to the White Team : The trade deadline is long past.  Matty  remains Black for the remainder of the season.

Al:

Sonny,you won 6 in a row, something not seen since 2004/05, when guess who, Black won 6 in a row, plus you have the President on your side. Do you actually see my tears through my helmet!!! Vince always falls for that!!! Isn't  this great. Just encourages us to drink more at the Prescott! See you on the ice Monday.

[To Frank] Corey and Matty on the same side might seem a little unbalanced, just for your consideration!!!

Dave N:

I spoke to Ward Cornell, Howie Meeker and Danny Gallivan this afternoon.They look forward to the return of Al Emond to the White Team…..his exceptional game situation passing skills, positional play and teamwork (no puck hogging)….make him stand out.
With Al’s leadership…White stands a chance of improving their win record for the remainder of the season.
As far as Nathan goes…..he has been off the Island for too long….his beach and booze abuse makes him difficult to insert into even the White line up when he returns…..or something like that….
Go White.

Nate:

Contrary to D.N’s note, kicking me off the Island …. I am starting to think  about dry land training in preparation for games on 10 and 13 April. Please keep me on the roster.           
Just back from the beach, lovely sightings today!!! Off to pool now…maybe think about dry land training tomorrow.

Etch:

Note to teams …          
I don’t know where this best-of-seven crap originated (probably the White team)….
 but as the rules state: Rule 6 . sub-section 1.

1. The season winning team shall be determined by selecting the games from last to 'back as many games as is necessary that the BLACK team is ahead' to have a champion for the year. If that scenario does not create a BLACK victory then the WHITE team wins.

http://www.etch52.com/hockey/oldtimers/oldtimers_rules.htm#Winning

Looks like Black has won 5 of the previous 6  …

2015-16   Best of last 5   Black 2-1-2
2014-15   Best of last 11 Black 5-4-2
2013-14   Best of last 11 Black 4-3-4
2012-13   Best of last (all) White
2011-12   Best of last 12 Black 5-4-3
2010-11   Best of last 22 Black 10-9-3

...

Paul:

2012-2013 was a good year!

Al:

Now the world can see what White is up against year after year. The President,the official stats keeper, official team maker..... Has not stopped White from winning last 6 years. What a group.

Sonny:

[To Al] Wow. I want what your on... 

Al:

I'm writing a book?... Is this called "trash talk"!!!!

Dave N:

Alternatively....Al's ‎ book could be entitled 'The Cult of White'......the journey of a young Man from Quebec City who mistakenly embraced the NDP but saved himself from harm by hanging out with the legendary White Team......it was not easy to be Al.....
To be clear Sonny....the White Team is not 'on' anything.....the White Team is just a run of the mill Cult.....and Al has turned the Team into believers......as long as they play their positioners and make plays by passing the puck.....

Al:

[To Al] How did you know about the book?? All started back in 1977 when a young Mike Poulton invited me to play with his group. Arrived at Cumberland arena and was told I would be White, thus began a 40 year White career. Volume 1 of 5 out soon. Sonny will get the first autographed copy.

Sonny:

[To Al] Sweet

Nate:

Call it “Sonny’s ‘white’ Dream”!  It’s one of his favourite songs!

Phil:

I guess Al's new book will be written in Black and White...sorry White and Black.

Jack:

8-7 Black despite Al's return, or because of it.

In regard to the playoff breakdown discussion....

Jack
' the final seven starts Thursday '

Etch
Am going to need some clarification on this "best-of-seven" idea...
What is the real story ???? Is there a change to rule 6 ???

Rule 6) Winning:
The season winning team shall be determined by selecting the games from last to 'back as many games as is necessary that the BLACK team is ahead' to have a champion for the year. If that scenario does not create a BLACK victory then the WHITE team wins.

Vince
'No change as far as I know. Any rule change would have to pass the board of governors.
Which includes the owner,the commissioner, and anyone who has hosted the party so Sprec, Ian and Etch. I don't see Jack's name there.'

Ron
'A rule is just that --but if a change is required, then in the name of fair play , the black players should vote yah or nah .
One does not " F " with TRADITION so easily .'

Frank ... the final word
'Rule six rules. No change .... Jack you're in charge of the steaks'

Note: As is similar in some tournaments ... the challenger must follow the rules and beat the incumbent to secure victory..
The White team is the perennial challenger ....
This years EEOT winner will be determined by Rule 6 ...
The owner (Frank) has spoken.

..............

Jack (The Tripper)

   Now that Black has won the Final Seven playoffs, I'll just open another beer. "Yes" to getting the food. Don't F with tradition. 
   My next motion to the Board of Governors, "That the Board entertain motions at the end-of-year party, after Phil's video and before steaks, with voting by those present." 

Ron (The Commish)
    Nice try Jack .In fact quite clever but there is no mention in the rule book about rule alterations .
    Motions from those present could be entertained as long as they don't involve rule changes  e.g. showering protocol , equipment odours , late arrivals , and so on .