Making The Cut, Episode 9: Last Chances

First up, a recap: Last week, twenty Black Aces were designated to play in the “last chance game” against the Elite squad. The others not chosen are pretty much done. You can read about it here. Tonight, we get to see that highly anticipated game.

The show opens for real on Day 9. The Black Aces are in the exercise room, prepping for the big game. Some, like #39 Levy, are very focused; others, not so much.

Profile: #18 Drew Kivell
Basically, this profile is about Drew wishing he could be going through this process with his brother Preston. They’re pretty close. Their dad tells us that when they started at ages five and six, the only rules were to “work 110%” and “no crying.”

As we come back to the show, the coaches comment favourably about Drew’s size and physical presence, but the highlights are of dirty plays against #39 Levy and #50 Kahler! However, he worked hard with the Black Aces and he’s going to be playing tonight.

Twenty of the Elite Squad are selected for this game. We’re told the choice was made based on a need to further evaluate these players. In a perverse and bizarre move, the principals from the stick-swinging incident (#54 Dickenson and #27 Harkins) are put on the same line! If I were Dickenson, I might be tempted to only pass to Harkins when there were three guys standing right behind him.

#50 Kahler and #62 Mamane are still injured and although they’re trying to stay in game-ready condition, you have to expect that their chances are not good at this point – too many opportunities to impress the coaches have been lost. However, this does mean that the rest of the injured players have returned, including #57 Jefkins, who was accused by some of malingering.

Pre-game, mentor and 15-year NHL veteran Ryan Walter gives the Black Aces a pep talk that boils down to, “you need to want success badly.” What follows is a lot of clips of guys wanting it badly.

#46 Dubois gets special motivation – a video clip from his family, including a young nephew chanting, “Go Rob Go!” He starts to tear up, remembering his father. When his father died, Rob had to give up hockey to support the family.

I think we’re getting closer to the game, but I’m not sure. There are many clips of guys talking tough. Most players from both teams are expecting a rough game. The Black Aces are encouraged to play tough but fair. The final word for them is, this is their last chance.

That was thirty minutes of setup we just waded through, but finally, play starts. The Black Aces will wear their white sweaters, and the Elite Squad is Team Blue. As expected, there’s a lot of heavy hitting plus too many post-whistle scrums. The coaches see #57 Jefkins try to start a ruckus but then turn away before the other guy (#28 Tessier) can react… and they are not impressed. As usual, the refs only see Tessier retaliate and he gets the sole penalty.

Play gets dirtier, as #24 Periard breaks his stick while slashing #22 Demone. The refs prevent a fight – barely. It turns out all we get is verbal sparring. They need to get control of the game, but they don’t.

Just before the first period ends, Black Ace #8 Hay scores on a wrap-around as goalie #1 Martin doesn’t cover the corner quickly enough. In intermission, some members of the Blue Team are pissed that the play is so dirty, but vow to meet it in kind. The Aces coach encourages his team to finish every check and nail guys who aren’t playing heads-up.

The second period begins, and less than a minute later we have the first penalty. Bodies continue to fly as the pace increases, and so few sticks are on the ice I can’t imagine the puck is ever moved. #46 Dubois and #18 Kivell have a scrum that looks a lot like a fight to me, but they get away with simple roughing penalties. The penalty boxes seem to be fairly well occupied on a consistent basis.

It’s the midway point of the period, and both teams change goalies. #30 Cuthbert is in for Team Blue and #35 Marshall for the Black Aces. And almost immediately, #28 Tessier feeds #39 Levy and it’s in. 2-0, Aces!

After the 39th scrum, the coaches catch #57 Harkins keeping clear and comment, “He’s 35 and he wants to see his 36th birthday!” Heh. It seems as though that “deserving respect” thing Harkins was so big on two episodes ago hasn’t reached Mike Keenan yet!

The period ends. #18 Kivell is being sewn up below the lip, but the doctor’s having a tough time of it because Kivell is busy giving us a sound bite. Regrettably, it’s not worth repeating.

Coach Keenan feels the need to remind Team Blue that this game is a part of their evaluations. Really, Mike? You are so wise! He suggests they should play with, “composure, compassion, and the ability to keep your focus.” Gee, maybe the second one should be, “passion?” Can you tell I’m not a big fan of Mike Keenan? He closes with another thinly veiled threat asking them to play harder.