Just Like Old Times

During the lock out season the Lowell Lockmonsters were bringing a wagon. The roster was awesome, and they were a fun group of guys as well. Every one of those guys would say hello and share a minute of their time with you. Guys like Eric Staal, Chuck Kobasew, Matt Lombardi, and Mike Commodore. Oh, the goalie was a future Conn Smythe winner in Mr. Cam Ward. He is the single season record holder for wins, GAA, and shutouts, and a super nice kid to boot. The team had talent and personality, and of all the years I have been going to Lowell, they were my favorite.

The new regime in there is a total 180 from what was there. The New Jersey Devils own all their minor league affiliates, and as such, they run them all like they run their NHL club. I really believe they don’t care about wins and losses at the minor league level as long as when they make a call to the lower ranks they can get a player to plug into the lineup. Ultimately that is what the minor leagues are for; development for the upper levels, but I think there should be a different attitude in the AHL, and below. I realize the Devils are trying to develop a winner, but it was just more fun when you had more access to the team from the front office down.

I mention all this, because yesterday’s game felt like the old days at the Paul. First of all, there were people there. According to the Boxscore, they had 3535 in the house, which for them is a miracle. To say they have been drawing poorly is the understatement of the year. I feel a little like Joe McGrath, You boys have not been drawing them in like we used to. The Devils play a very boring style, and coupled with the fact they kind of suck, people stay away from them like girls stay away from me. Yesterday’s 5-1 win, in a game in which there were 2 fights should do plenty to bring them back. Let’s hope.

I also spoke to a Devils player. Yeah, it’s true. I ran into Pierre-Luc LeBlond after the game. He didn’t play, but Lowell sure could have used him. I told him Lowell could have used him, and he said he knew and that he felt Paul Crosty was being an idiot. When I asked him if he had ever fought him before, he said, No, but I guess I’m going to have to now. What happened was Crosty was taking out some anger or whatever on Lowell defenseman Jean-Luc Grand Pierre. Hence forth known as Big Peter.

It all started in with about six minutes to go in the first. Big Peter hit Crosty in the corner, and they went back up ice. Big Peter was at the point, when Crosty got back to him, and jumped him. Big Peter got the shirt over Crosty’s head and went to work on him. Crosty did well to fight him off even though he was blind. Nice little fight, I score it a win for Big Peter.

With about 5 minutes to go in the second, Crosty was at it again. He tackled Big Peter in front of the Lowell goal and got him with a high stick in the head. Apparently he cut him as he was given 5 minutes to feel shame, and that’s when Lowell opened it up. Barry Shooter Tallackson scored on the PP, and they never looked back.

In the third period, Lowell’s Patrick Davis scored one of the prettiest, if not THE, prettiest goals I have ever seen in Lowell. He scooped the puck up in his own zone, and was off to the races. He went around a couple of Monarch’s players, and put a nifty toe drag on the final Monarch D-man, totally flummoxing him with his trickery. He was then in alone on the goalie, and while skating left, he fired a nice wrister to the right corner. It was beautiful. I think he may be the next guy to get the call to New Jersey. Kid has some sick hands.

Near the end of the third, Paul Crosty was at it again. I am not sure what he has against Big Peter, but it’s safe to say they are off each other’s Christmas list. Again with about 5 minutes to go in the period, Crosty jumped Big Peter again. It was right in front of me this time, so I had a great view. Big Peter threw a couple of very hard right hands once he got his gloves all the way off, and Crosty tried to score a few of his own. He landed a couple, but it was Big Peter again with the win after Crosty go the take down. Now, when they were down I’m not sure if something happened, or if Big Peter was just plain tired of Crosty picking on him all day, but on his way to the box he was heated. It took both Linesmen and the penalty box attendant to hold him back from going into the visitor’s box after Crosty. Paul was getting the gate anyway, for 2, 5, 10, but I think Big Peter was just going to get 5. Well, after he flipped, he got a 10 as well, and was lead off to thunderous applause from the Lowell Faithful. He made kind of a throat slashing motion to the Manchester bench. Not sure if he’s in trouble for that or not. Paul Crosty on the other hand, got a different farewell from the Lowell crowd. He was led off to boos, but to his credit played it up well with a nice wave to the fans thanking them for their time. It was a great game yesterday. One that makes you feel happy to be alive. Here’s hoping it is the start of the all new Lowell Devils.