The Lowell Lockmonsters wrapped up their Season this weekend ending Carolina, and Colorado’s tenure in Lowell, as well as putting a nail in the coffin on what was a dreadful year. Actually, that isn’t fair. Considering what they had all year, and the fact they were a glorified ECHL Team for the majority of the campaign, they didn’t do half bad. All in all the weekend wasn’t too bad. It was actually pretty interesting.
It all started Thursday afternoon. I was driving back from work when my cell phone rang. It was Tweener calling, and from the time I said hello, I knew he was fired up. Tweener knows former Providence Bruin, and the funniest man alive, Brendan Walsh. Walshie had sent Tweener an IM, and alluded to the fact he might be in a Lockmonster uniform for the final weekend of the season. Lowell was looking to possibly exact revenge on Manchester’s Joe Rullier for an elbow that knocked out David Gove earlier in the season. The thought process being, Lowell is out of the playoffs, and in their final weekend. Why not goon it up a bit eh? So Tweener and I chatted a bit, and he told me he’d call if he heard anything. I threatened his life if he didn’t call, and we said goodbye.
At this point, I got home and MOL and I went to Papa Razzi in Concord for dinner, and a few drinks. I was very excited, and MOL even seemed a bit into it. She said if Walshie were in the lineup for the final weekend, her shadow may be cast in the Tsongas once again. Tweener called during dinner to tell me he had no update. Thanks for getting my hopes up eh? Dinner turned into us getting shitfaced on the bus, and we went home with no news of Brendan Walsh being a Lockmonster.
Friday was spent VERY hungover at the Office. I was not well. Let’s just say, I saw my breakfast twice. I talked to Tweener, and we seemed pretty sure the Walshie thing was not to be. Oh, well, it would have been cool. Friday I went for drinks with my old pal Jill, MOL, and Rich. A good time was had by all, but I was kind of bummed Brendan wasn’t coming.
After spending the afternoon raking the yard at mothers, it was off to the barn for the final weekend of the year. I always get there about an hour before the game so I can catch the pre game skate. I love warm ups. I always have. As the Monsters came out, I was looking at the names go by. Aucoin. Gove. Finger. Kellman. Walsh. Bennefield. Hey, wait a second? Did I just say "Walsh?" Holy shit, it was him! I hadn’t been that excited at a Lockmonster game since Trevor Gillies came out wearing the same number 15 Brendan Walsh was now wearing. It was Christmas morning, and I had just been given a new bike.
The warm ups were a riot. Rullier and Walshie were jawing at each other. About ten other Monarch’s did a double take when they saw it was in fact Brendan Walsh taking warm ups. I must say, he looked good in red. The boys were ready for a show! Say what you will about Walshie’s playing ability, or pugilistic ability. The kid is fun as hell to watch. His mouth is always going, and this tilt was no exception. Not only was Brendan Walsh one of the best players on the ice, he ws certainly the most talkative. He was always talking. Be it directing traffic, or telling Petr Kanko he’d have extra cheese, and lettuce on his taco, he was talking. But Manchester almost ruined the whole thing.
I was standing near where the off ice officials deliver the line ups, and I asked if Brendan was starting. "No." I was told. "He’s not even playing." WHAT!? Apparently Lowell had left him off the Official line up, and therefore, wouldn’t be allowed to play. Oh, here’s your new bike for Christmas, Nope, can’t ride it. This sucked! I can’t believe we were going to get the screw job from Manchester like this. I guess after some hemming and hawing about when and at what time you could be added to the roster, #15 Walsh, was added, but not with out Manchester making a call to the AHL about it. Put the air back in the tires and take her for a spin.
The game itself was pretty good. Tim Jackman (MCH) and Blue Bennefield (LOW) had a great tilt right in front of me. Lots of good punches were thrown and landed by both guys, but I am going to give the win to Blue. Later, Scott Kellman (LOW) and Jackman had another fight. I guess Kellman got killed in Manchester the night before. This time out, he fared a lot better. Not a lot was thrown by either guy. It was a lot of wrestling, but a pretty good tilt. I call it a draw. The real star of the show was Walshie. He was honestly one of the best player’s on the ice. He looked like he wasn’t in "hockey shape" but played very well position wise, and made smart decisions with the puck. Near the end of the game it looked like he and Rullier were going to get into it, squaring off one time, and another getting face to face off a face off. If I can read lips correctly, Walshie said to Rullier, "Oh, you know what Rullier? Why don’t you just shut the fuck up?! I’m here for one game; I will fight you right now." It seems #7 wanted no part. Lowell ended up losing 2-1, but who cares? They were out of the Playoffs, and Brendan Walsh was in town with his former employer coming in the next day. This was going to be the best closing weekend ever!
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