Pedal to the METTLE?

"Pop Tom, don't you mean 'pedal to the metal' queried' Nana Lucy as they left Sport-o-Rama following the conclusion of today's Pearl River Pirate game. The geriatric journeyman was lauding the efforts of the scrappy Bucs who battled the Green Machine Ice Cats to a (0-0) tie. The squad played without two of their best skating forwards and managed to carry the play to the Long Island visitors for the bulk of the first and third periods in this tightly contested affair. Smooth skating Ryan McLinskey and a tenacious Luke Myers led the charge that entertained the crowd of parents and friends from the first drop of the puck to the last whistle. But all in all, this was a total team effort. Indeed, Sam (Slam the Door) Coughlin came up big in key moments to match his counterpart in the Ice Cats nets. Coach Kern mixed and matched his skaters especially well and used his time out effectively in the closing minutes of the game to negate an Ice Cats man advantage. At the post game recap Kaylee Krok opined, "But Pop Tom, we didn't get to hear you 'hoot'!" To wit the old man howled with delight, "Sweetie, this wise owl's voice needed a rest anyway. Our team proved its mettle with a gut-check perfomance this morning." Dillon Krok chipped in, "Who gives a hoot about that. We wanted to win!"