A charging Gimli.

May 31, 2003

ITHILIEN, Middle Earth—The Dom Land Caribou grabbed a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Ithilien Rangers winning 4-3.

The Rangers gave the Caribou a scare when they jumped out to an early 2-0 lead five minutes into the first period. The 'Bou seemed discombobulated, turning pucks over in the neutral zone and forechecking listlessly. After allowing the two goals, netminder Gandalf clamped down, stopping the next 19 shots in the period.

"We were playing without a lot of hope," said Aragorn. "It might've been the food on the charter flight."

Food poisoning or not, the Caribou stormed back in the second period. But although they controlled the play and peppered Ranger goalie Damrod* with 21 shots, the 'Bou only managed one goal. Legolas stripped a Ranger of the puck and made a gorgeous pass to a charging Gimli, whose thunderous roar of defiance startled Damrod just enough to slip the puck over his shoulder.

"No one roars like a dwarf!" said Gimli at the post-game press conference before performing a few brain-rattling encores.

The third period was the charm for a trio of hobbits, Frodo, Sam and Merry, who each potted a goal as the 'Bou took the lead. Faramir scored late in the game with the goalie on the bench (see 'pulling the goalie'), but it wasn't enough, and the 'Bou moved one step closer to the finals.

"I hate to think that yucky plane food was a lucky charm," said Merry. "Eugh."

The Caribou can sweep the series next week in Ithilien.

...The Ringwraiths beat the Uruk-Hai 2-0 to go up 2-1 in their series. The game featured an ugly fight...on the Uruk-Hai bench. Apparantly Head Coach Saruman turned his back for about three seconds. The league is trying to figure out what, if anything, should be done about it.

*Thank you to Caribou fan F. Dwimmerlaik for the names!

Notes: Webmistress Bubbles would like to thank Pippin for updating the 'Bou site last week. He did a wonderful job even if his spelling was a bit dodgy. While Pippin, as well as other members of the 'Bou expressed an eagerness to write future updates, Head Coach Elrond said they all really needed to focus on the playoffs.

Notes II: Read about the aftermath of the Elfhead concert at the Merry-Go-Round...Rink...Thing Where a Penguin Plays a Banjo here.

Notes III: View all the Dom-Land pictures and how they came to be here.

Notes IV: If you sent me something, see it here.

Playoff Primer

1) Each round is a seven-game series. Basically, two teams play each other until one team wins four games. That team wins the series.

2) There are no ties. If a match is tied at the end of three periods, the teams will play 20-minute overtimes until one of them wins or they both drop dead. In the case of dropping dead, all members of both teams have to be completely dead. The game will then be temporarily postponed.

3) The teams who have qualified for this year's playoffs are:
The Dom-Land Caribou
The Ithilien Rangers
The Uruk-Hai
The Ringwraiths

Whoever wins the Caribou/Ranger series will go on to play the winner of the Uruk-Hai/Ringwraith series for the Orlando's Bloomers trophy. (Bubbles would like to remind everyone that the poll that chose the name of the championship trophy was really weird.)

4) Although there are traditions of throwing things onto the ice in the NHL during the playoffs, (i.e. the octopus in Detroit) the MEHA has strictly forbidden the flinging of cephalopods. This measure was taken to prevent the injury and/or death of anyone trying to capture The Watcher in the Water.

5) As soon as she can, Bubbles will post the poll/quiz that will determine how the 'Bou do in the playoffs.

~~~

Partner Site