Spring 1999 Game Updates

Game 1
January 13th, 1999
Dead Wings 2 Americans 1
Season Record 0-1
Hot Wings Ice Americans
(Houston, TX) The Americans started their title defense with the traditional season opener vs. The Dead Wings. Last season the Wings took the opener 8-5. This time it was a defensive battle as neither team managed a score in the first period. Early in the second Keith Lerner put the puck past Wings goalie Jesse Bell to put the Americans up 1-0. Midway through the second the Wing's "Zonka Joe" picked up an errant clearing attempt and slid across the goal crease to score the tying goal. Slow motion reverse angle replays show the puck went up through Joe's pants, out his sleeve, off Tim Madden's skate and trickled past the Americans goalie Mark Yocum, dazed by the amazing shot. The game remained tied through most of the third until the Wings Russ Clark arced a shot in with 5 minutes remaining to seal the win for the Wings. MIA players included both new roster additions, Rod Fenwick and Ti Shuman. All are on beer duty for next week.

Game 2
January 20th, 1999
Americans 3 Hooters 2 (OT)
Season Record 1-1
Raj? We Don't Need No Stinking Raj's!
(Houston, TX) Just when it looked like the Americans would take the ice with a minimal roster of 10 skaters and a goalie, new acquisition Raj Gretzky pulled up lame in the warmups and scratched himself for the season. And then there were nine. In recent memory Hooters has "owned" the Americans posting two goal victories in the last two meetings. This game looked like more of the same. Hooters took a 1-0 lead midway through the first, and was up 2-0 in the second. With the clock winding down to just 4:00 remaining in the game, the Americans finally got on the scoreboard. Keith Lerner dug a puck out of the corner, passed to Tim Madden in the slot who slid it across to a wide open Pete Babine. After checking the wind, teeing up the puck and pointing to call his shot, Babine blasted the puck in to make it a 2-1 game. With just a minute left the Americans pulled goalie Mark Yocum and at :53 remaining, Keith Lerner tipped in a shot by Geoff Hodge to tie the game at 2 all. The Americans had several excellent opportunities in the OT period but it took a rebound shot by Paul Staszesky with just :35 remaining in the game to give the Americans their first win of the season. Paul's last goal was the OT game winner in the Championship. In just his second season as an American, Paul has yet to be tagged with a nickname. The most recent game winner has brought forth several contenders. "GW" "Clutch" "Cold Blooded Thriller" and "Lucky Sonofabitch" are among the leading contenders. Click here to cast your vote.

Game 3
January 27th, 1999
Blackhawks 4, Americans 1
Season Record 1-2
Blackhawks, Flu Bug Bite Americans
(Sugar Land, TX) If everyone on the team didn't have the flu bug, the effort was sickly enough to cause paramedics to respond from all over the city. The game's only highlight occurred midway through the first period when Pete Babine put the Americans up 1-0. While the game was somewhat closer than the 4-1 final (which included an empty net goal), it was obvious that the defending champs were all reading from different pages in the playbook. Except for Geoff Hodge who was watching old Don Cherry videos from his customary office location. Welcome back to American Alumni Andy Koerner who was signed to replace the late great Raj. AMERICANS TRIVIA; By pulling up lame just three minutes into the pregame skate of his first game, Raj set a team record as the player with the shortest career history. With the Houston Brew up next, the Americans rededicate this season to Raj and are determined to repeat as champs in memory of our fallen comrade.

Game 4
February 3rd, 1999
Americans 7, Houston Brew 3
Season Record 2-2
The Old Cat Gets The Hat
(Houston, TX) Paul "GW" Staszesky is earning his nickname. In both wins this season Paul's scored the game winner. To be SURE he got it this game, he scored the 1st, 2nd and 6th goals. Team mates Madden, Fenwick, Hilton and Raia rounded out the scoring for the Americans. The offense had been struggling so far in this early season averaging just 1.6 goals per game. The first period looked like it was going to be another low scoring event, ending in a 0-0 tie. But with just 1:47 gone in the second, Staszesky got the scoring started on a picture perfect pass from Pete Babine and the race was on. Staszesky picked up an unassisted goal just four minutes later and the "hat" came on his 6th goal, also assisted by Pete Babine. HHA demographic reports show the Americans are one of the oldest teams with an average age of 38.6 years old. While Paul can't be credited with lowering the average age, he nearly doubled the goals per game average. For his 3 goal game Paul will receive the snazzy Miami Dolphins hat David Stiller was sporting after the game. ROSTER NEWS: The Americans rounded out their roster picking up free agent David Bilodeau who started on "D" and won immediate acceptance on the team by making a post game beer run even before most of the team was out of the showers.

Game 5
February 10th, 1999
Americans 3, Roughnecks 2
Season Record 3-2
Yeastboy Rises To 'Necks Challenge
(Houston, TX) As the 1954 Zamboni chattered across the deep ruts in the "ice" at Hells Kitchen Ice Center, the Roughnecks looked around for their comrade Bruce Burak. They knew he wouldn't be on the ice due to last week's ejection in the notorious purse fight with Craig "The Handbag" Keener. However, they had hoped Brucie would attend to lend moral support. Realizing he had no morals with which to provide support, Bruce spent the evening at the "Modeling Studio". Meanwhile, ON the ice. Paul "GW" Staszesky put the Americans up with 6:36 remaining in the first period beating Joel Petty to put the Americans up 1-0. Brendan Hilton made it a 2-0 lead just two minutes later and with just :28 second remaining in the first period Pete Babine scored on a breakaway to make it a 3-0 Americans lead. The Roughnecks earned their nickname as Derek "Freight train" Eichelle flattened American's goalie Mark "Yeastboy" Yocum. Slow motion reverse angle replay shows the Yocum making the initial stop, the net becoming dislodged and Eichelle kicking the puck in for the "goal" to make it 3-1. The Roughnecks made it a 3-2 game when Peter Tarantola banked one off Mark Yocum from behind the net. Sorry Peter, in this league you have to CALL your banks. The Americans held off several Roughneck power plays and Yocum shut them down for the balance of the game to preserve the win and earn #1 star of the game. (The cooler full of assorted Bud products Mark brought after the game was also a consideration in the judges voting).

Game 6
February 17th, 1999
Americans 5, Hurricanes 4
Season Record 4-2
Americans Frame 'Canes
(Houston, TX) Who'd have thought the Y2K problem would affect Hockey? With two programmers out for several weeks due to Y2K overload, the Americans went to the free agency market. Rod Fenwick's spot was filled by the legendary Doug Frame, recently retired and escaping the Edmonton winter in Houston. Ti Shuman's spot was filled by the "Jiffymon" who provided the spark for last season's stretch run to the championship. As usual, the Americans were down early behind 1-0 at the end of the first and giving up a quick goal less than a minute into the 2nd period to sink into a 2-0 hole. Brendan Hilton provided the big turnaround goal, taking the puck in from the blue line and putting it past Phil-D-Goalie to tighten the score 2-1. Three minutes later Paul "GW" Staszesky tied things up with a pretty breakaway goal. "If I'd have opened my eyes, I'd have missed" said GW. It looked like GW was going to score back to back goals as he headed up ice on a breakaway but Phil-D-Goalie poke checked the puck into the corner. GW dug it out with a pass to Pete Babine who slid it across to Tim Madden whose one-timer gave the Americans a 3-2 lead. The speedy Mark Tushnit blew past Geoff Hodge to tie things at 3-3 but GW brought the Americans back with a goal to make it 4-3. The Hurricanes battled back to tie things at 4-4. But, with just over 4 minutes remaining, Doug Frame picked up the puck, spun around and fired it into the net to ice the game for the Americans. Back home in Edmonton there was much discussion about a Canadian playing for the Americans, but Doug explained by saying "I am only here to teach these boys the right way to play the game". After the game there was an extended teaching session in the parking lot. Extensive notes were taken as everyone expects Doug to give the team a (barley) pop quiz next week.

Game 7
February 25th, 1999
Americans 4, North Stars 3
Season Record 5-2
Americans Shorthand North Stars.
(Sugar Land, TX) The last time these two teams met it was the Fall Championship game, a game which took two hours to decide a winner. Every time the Americans meet the North Stars it's a close game. This game was to be no different. After the North Stars took a 1-1 lead, the Americans stuck back less than a minute later on a goal from Paul "GW" Staszesky. Unfortunately Paul's streak of game winning goals would end due to an ejection for being spit upon. Brendan Hilton put the Americans up 2-1 on a controversial goal that the North Stars contended went in after the whistle. After the North Stars tied it 2-2, yet another controversial call was made in disallowing a Pete Babine goal which went in prior to his being unceremoniously dumped into the net, dislodging it from the posts. Reverse angle slow motion replay shows it was a goal but the score remained tied 2-2. The hockey gods would not let the injustice stand however. David Stiller broke free shorthanded and top shelved a backhander past North Stars goalie Richard Dirusso to give the Americans a 3-2 lead. Still shorthanded, Brendan Hilton scored another shorthanded goal to ice the game at 4-3. The North Stars crashed the net for a late goal to come within 4-3 but the Americans clamped down the "D" for the last 5 minutes of the game to preserve a win. The "Beyond the call of duty" award goes to newcomer David Bilodeau who drove in from Austin for the game, only to turn around and drive back to San Antonio for a 7am appointment. "I love ya, Man" said Team Captain Tim "Primus" Madden. However first star of the game had to go to Doug Frame who picked up the tab at Al's Bar after the game. Hey Doug...We love ya man!

Game 8
March 3rd, 1999
Americans 3 Panthers 2
Season Record 6-2
Another Thin Win.
(Houston, TX) Has parity hit the HHA? In 5 of the 6 wins this season, the Americans have escaped with a one goal win. And in the storied rivalry of the Americans/Panthers, this would be another tight game. Ever since the Jersey Stealin' Panthers entered the league it's been a great rivalry between the clubs. Tonight as Panther Goalie Bob Emery strapped on his shiny new goalie skates, he pointed to his team mate Kevin Zubrich and said...nice haircut, eh? At the time it didn't make sense, but later in the game as Kevin skated up the ice and weaved through 4 Americans defenders to score a goal, we knew it had to be the hair. The Americans drew first blood with a P2P combo as Paul "GW" Staszesky circled behind the net and fed Pete Babine who drove the puck into the net. After Zubrich's goal tied it at 1-1 it was the 3rd line's time to shine as Dave Stiller found Brendan Hilton open at the point and Hilton blasted a shot to make it 2-1. Then GW...who may soon be renamed "Passin' Paul" smoked a pass to Tim "Primus" Madden who'd set up shop at the far post and deflected it in to put the Americans up 3-1. The Panthers battled back with a goal to make it 3-2 but again the "D" held to preserve the win. Special notice to Geoff "Maximus" Hodge who's restrained play resulted in only 6 penalty minutes. Having just returned from a Colorado ski vacation, Geoff seemed to confuse the chairlift with the penalty box, or vice versa. Regardless, after a long day skiing, er SKATING...the team hit the lodge, er LOT for a cold beverage and recap of the night's events.

Game 9
March 10th, 1999
Americans 4 Maple Leafs 0
Season Record 7-2
You'll Get Nothing and Like It.
(Sugar Land, TX) Entering this game the Americans had six wins, but were just +5 on the season so it was time not only for a win, but to go to work on the +/- rating. The 2-6 MapleLeafs were just what the Doctor ordered. The Leaf's lineup included former American Marshal Iler, resplendent in his new Leafs Jersey with the striking deep V cut collar, pleated gussets and matching socks. Every sharp dressed hockey player know that the Leaf Look is perfect for any hockey occasion on or off the ice, and is now available at finer Pro Shops and mail order catalogs. The only thing more stunning than Marshall's new Leaf look was the pass on the only goal the Americans needed. With just a minute remaining in the first period, defenseman David Bilodeau jumped up to the blue line and split the Leaf defenders taking a perfect pass from Pete Babine at center ice and scoring "five hole" untouched on a breakaway. Midway through the second, the Americans were on a powerplay as a result of a bone crushing check taken by Jim O'Neill from one of the Leaf wingers. Rod Fenwick, who'd been MIA due to Y2K had no problem finding his old spot in "the office" to bang home a powerplay goal. Then, less than a minute later Rod took another pass from linemate Doug Frame, again right next to the water cooler, to put the Americans up 3-0. With just 3:43 remaining in the game Tony Raia put the Italian Icing on the cake turning a Tim Madden pass into a top shelf breakaway goal. After serving up his first bagel of the year, Americans goalie Mark Yocum entertained the fans with a detailed performance of his interpretation of the cult film CADDYSHACK. Mark's brilliant vocal characterization of Judge Smails, Ty Webb, Danny Noonan and even Maggie O'Hooligan were so "money" that the one-man Caddy shack review even surpassed Mark's excellent in-goal performance. The only sad note was the expiration of Doug Frame's 25 day HHA contract. Doug was recalled to Edmonton in an effort to get the Oilers back on the winning track for the NIL playoff season. We wish Doug well back in the "bigs" and look forward to seeing him in April for the Las Vegas tournament.

Game 10
March 17th, 1999
Dead Wings 7, Americans 5
Season Record 7-3
Dead Wings Jig Past Americans.
(Houston, TX) On a day when St. Patrick is honored for driving the snakes out of Ireland, the Americans would like to have called upon him to keep the pucks out of the net. When a team is on a winning streak they like to keep as many elements the same as possible. Very few elements from the recent winning streak were in place. The Americans "Lucky Charm" Doug Frame had returned to Canada. Goalie Mark Yocum was without his lucky jersey and water wings for the crease, leprechaun defenseman David Bilodeau was stranded in Austin and couldn't make the game, an injury sidelined defenseman Brian Hughes early in the game, and Keith Lerner had returned from his injury to score the Americans first goal just :16 seconds into the game. The early good fortune of a lead didn't last long as the Dead Wings tied things up minutes later 1-1. The lead changed hands several times with Americans goals coming from Madden, Jiffymon, Hilton and another from Madden to make it 5-4. However about that time the leprechaun had left the building as the relentless Wings continued to pour it on the goals until the scoreboard read 7-5 when the final horn sounded. In typical team fashion each American took personal blame for the loss. (except Madden who did punch in two goals) and most players were in agreement that indeed this was the worst outing of the year. Next week will be another interesting challenge as the Americans face the only other team they've lost to this season, the Blackhawks. In the meantime the hunt is on for four leaf clovers.

Game 11
March 24th, 1999
Blackhawks 8, Americans 2
Season Record 7-4
A Black (hawks) day for the Americans.
(Houston, TX. Game report filed by Tim Madden) Three Stars of the game: Jiffy, O'Neill and Paul S. for not showing up. On a day when all patriot eyes were on their TV screens watching "Americans" kick Bosnian "assssssss", these Americans were getting their own asses handed to them by the Blackhawks. After a ludicrous 2, 2, and 10 penalty was called on Brendan Hilton early in the first the Hawks quickly made the score 2-0, and thats how the first period ended. Lackluster play continued into the second, but the Hawks only managed to score one more in that period. With time running out in the second Hilton ripped a blast from the point apparently scoring, which would have made the score 3-1. However, Ref eagle-eye McClure, watching the shot, the clock, and listening for the horn waved it off. The third period held no promise for the Americans as 3 in a row brought the score to 6-0. Two quick Americans goals by David Bilodeau and Andy "the Animal" Koerner made the score 6-2, but stellar defensive play by the Americans quick turned that around to an 8-2 final. Every agrees that the game wasn't as close as the score might indicate. As Pete Babine said to Jim Rome in the post game interview, "we were horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible". Fans should use Playoff Ticket A in their season ticket packages next week for Playoff game #1, Americans vs. NorthStars, 8:15 P.M. @ Sharpstown.

Game 12
March 31st, 1999
North Stars 2, Americans 0
Season Record 7-5
North Stars Avenge Championship Game.
(Houston, TX) Last season the Americans met the North Stars in the Championship game, a 2 1/2 hour affair that ended with a 2-1 win. This playoff game looked as if it would be more of the same. Through the first two periods neither team could punch the puck past the goalie. Mark Yocum made many excellent saves throughout the game but a turnover at the blue line would prove to be the game winner for the North Stars. The Stars Mike H. Anus picked up the puck and challenged Yocum, sliding across the crease and sliding it in with just ::23 seconds gone in the 3rd period. Richard Dirusso played a stellar game for the Stars including the save of the game on a Geoff "Birthday Boy" Hodge shot from the point. Hodge had the shot targeted for the top shelf but the shaft of Dirusso's stick deflected the shot over the net. Try as they might the Valient Americans squad could not get the puck past Dirusso. With under a minute left the Amerians pulled the goalie and the Stars added an empty net goal with just :24 seconds to play in the game. It's Ironic that in last season's Championship game the Americans actually finished with a WORSE record than 7-4 record posted this season. Could it be that parity has arrived in the HHA? Congrats to all on a great season and we'll see you all next year.