Making The Cut, Episode 12: The Finalists Are Chosen

First up, a recap: Last week, they played the second game of the final three-game series and Team Blue won easily, 5-0. Four more players were cut from the Elite Squad (#31 Della Vedova (a goalie), #40 Lemire, #34 Grobety and #53 Drouin) while #24 Periard was promoted back to the Elite Squad. You can read about it here.

Tonight, game three of three, and the second-to-last round of cuts. Who is going to be Making The Cut? Read on to find out!

The show opens for real on Day 13. So far, 46 players have been cut and 22 still wear the coveted white helmets. Discussion centers on being so close to the end of camp. For the most part, players seem to get along in camp very well.

The announcer just drops a bit of news – the plan is to take 17 players to the final day of camp, not twelve as I’d previously thought. That means fewer cuts tonight – are they EVER going to get down to six players?

It’s Day 14. Looking forward, players anticipate an intense game. Well, so do we viewers… and I hope we get to see some of it! There’s no other activities scheduled for the day – no workout, no gym time – just the game. #50 Kahler nervously denies that he’s nervous, but it’s obvious that nerves and pressure are a factor for all the players.

Since the no-fight rule has been in effect, there are a few vendettas simmering. Some coaches also expect a few scores will be settled today.

Coach Birch has the unpleasant task of telling the two injured players (#59 Power and #62 Mamane) that they are out of contention in this process. Although both are disappointed, both must have already come to terms with this certainty. We’re down to 20 Elite players.

By the way, on the website, the medical report on Power is that he suffered “a severely bruised sternum, a collapsed lung, a bruised spleen and a bruised liver.” Ouch!

Pre-game, coach Birch tells us the players know that Black Aces still have a chance in this process. As play starts in this final game, I’m impressed – there’s still 45 minutes left in the show!

The screens where lineups are announced come up. Usually I don’t recap them, due to their complexity. I see #14 Weir is playing for Team Gold and I have to say, I am disappointed in this decision. He really should have been “excused” from tonight’s activities.

Right away the coaches note the tempo is up from the previous game. They are impressed by several early scoring chances that are well set-up, but foiled. But the nets will not stay empty tonight, and the first goal goes to Team Gold, compliments of #41 Strome (not “Strom,” as I mistyped last week, sorry) on a rebound from a huge shot from #22 Demone.

In a goalmouth scrum, #52 Hubbauer is sent off for Team Gold and #50 Kahler of Team Blue is verbally all over him. It’s so noticeable that on the Team Gold bench (is it Demone?) they decide Kahler “needs a stick in the face.” No goals ensue from that power play, but right afterwards, #67 Fortier sinks a rocket for Team Gold. 2-0.

I must make two comments: (1) In hockey, why are such a seemingly high percentage of goals scored right after a penalty is killed? Team psychologists, figure this out, fix it, and earn your nickels! And (2) Does anyone else remember that Fortier is a Black Ace? They mention it’s his ninth goal of the camp.

The next scenes are of #50 Kahler, agitating again with Demone. Demone verbally offers to fight but Kahler skates away. Our ever-observant coaches seem to think Kahler’s “toughness’ is commendable. So Kahler is obviously our feature player tonight. Finally, this first period ends with Team Gold up, 2-0.

The second period begins and there are several Cherry-worthy hits right off the top. These guys have come to play! Well, maybe not Kahler, who immediately takes a silly penalty in the neutral zone.

A near-incident occurs when #54 Dickenson tries to sweep check #10 Woods and his stick is forced up and catches Woods under the visor. Woods shakes it off. See, some of these guys DO understand that every transgression, real or imagined, accidental or not, does not have to end up in a scrum!

The period ends with no further scoring. Cut to the dressing rooms. Team Blue is intense and trying to fire each other up. Umm, maybe you need to chill just 10% here? But in the Team Gold dressing room, the ultimate transgression occurs – a CBC interviewer asks goalie #32 Cumming about “THE SHUTOUT!” Cunning says, “Oh, don’t say the frigging word! You did NOT just say that!” Mutually chagrined goal-mate #31 Della Vedova says, “You cannot say “Shutout” during a game. It’s ruined.” And Cunning summarizes it with one word: “JINX!” He says he’ll tell Keenan whose fault the next goal is.

Man, who is that interviewer? Who is he related to?

But it’s too late, and as play resumes, Team Blue scores twice with goals from #20 Noel and #65 GeorgeZ to tie it up. Did anyone notice that GeorgeZ wears a black hat too?

#50 Kahler’s at it again. This time he tries to antagonize # 55 McConvey and #22 Demone. No one’s too impressed.

The game ends in a tie. Apparently, declaring a winner is significant to someone, so five minutes of scoreless overtime ensue… and, an equally scoreless shootout. Finally, #48 Leveille of Team Blue puts us out of our misery in “Shootout Sudden Death.”

Honestly guys, who cares who won? There is no prize for winning the three-game series. At this point neither team can truly be judged superior.