|A little Bug History Lesson||No Summer is Complete Without Some Bugs||Hey All You Summertime Bugs||Avs Take 3rd Place in the Highly Competitive NE Tournament!||Outcome of the Bugs VS. Rangers game||Results of Bugs invading the PNESHL games||Year end party and season trials|

Hello to all the Bugs

Well, what a difference a year makes.  One year ago there was talk of a “team.”  But what type of team would this be, what would our name be, who would sponsor us, and more importantly, who would play for us, and just who would “us” be.  Mike Doyle, the local guy that has given more to sled hockey then any other person playing the game, knew that he wanted an adult team but just sort of didn’t get to it.  Guess it was hard while driving to all the various rinks, spending thousands of his own dollars, taking players sticks, gloves, sleds and anything else they needed to play this great game that he loved and wanted to share with ALL of you. Then along comes this obnoxious guy named Leatherman who had run a few programs in his day and realized that this great sport needed to be expanded to give everyone the chance to help Mike’s dream become reality.

Well, just look at where we are today as a Bug team.  Last year, playing our first game against these same NewYokers, we lost.  It was not the opening that we all had hoped for, but the season was at least started and the team was on it’s way.  The Bugs went on to a year which was not bad for sure. This year we have great things ahead of us.  A great start in the new league, and much better results against those darn New Yorkers.  Yes, today we beat the Rangers 7-6 and it was a great game.  Yes, even great for the two Bugs that helped the NY team out.  Our own Lady Bug Laura did an outstanding job in net for the NY team and made some great stops.  All of her Bug teammates said after the game just how darn tough it was to get a goal on her.  Certainly a good thing since she is one of US.  Our BUG man in net and minding the store, Zach J did a great job as well turning away many shots that were delivered through traffic and handling the occasional defensive breakdowns (ok, so I was out of position a few times).  No question the goalies had to work hard as they were on the ice for almost three hours having shot after shot taking on them during practice and all the while battling the sun and the other issues that make playing net in this indoor/outdoor rink a challenge. Our Bug Kenny (the Puck Picker Upper) st made some great plays while wearing the Rangers sweater.  (It should be noted that he was wearing my rangers number 20 so good things were expected anyway He even had the nerve to score a goal for them, or was that two?  By-the-way, says to tell you that count your lucky stars (in Vineland) because that will never happen again. As for the rest of the Bugs that made the game, well, it was great to see so many of our players.  Lady Bug Kate was her usual self making her presence known on the ice to the point that while talking with Billy Hannigan from the NY team who followed me to my house, I learned that at one point he, as a defenseman, was seriously thinking of checking her “hard” to get her out of the way of the net because she was pressuring the goalie (our other Lady Bug).  I reminded Billy that checking ANY of my Lady Bugs results in unexpected body pressure being applied (I.E. The KEG Acupuncture treatment). We worked hard before the game on breakouts and while all the coaches were a little worried, we all agreed after the game that you Bugs just needed to wake up because some of what we saw by our defenseman and forwards was classic during the game.  Bobbie Keys made some OUTSTANDING breakout passes and so did one of our newest Bugs, John Eckbold.  These two working together was a solid team and looked as if they might have played together before.  Hummmm, I wonder? Our really two new guys Dave and Wayne made big strides today with solid defensive work as well as forward work.  Both are improving at each practice and game with skating and hockey.  Dave is already on the boards with an assist in the new leagues scoring and most everyone is already talking about the new KEG.  Fear is the key word when some of the veterans talk about and his size.  Can you just imagine a KEG squared combination.  WOW.  Come to think of it, how about a KEG times three because our other BIG MAN in the back, John G did a solid job for the first period before having to make another engagement.  I am just glad we ordered all of these extra large sweaters. Dylan and our Captain Matt Reidy had some solid play up front often finding just the right time to stick poke a puck away from the NY’ers and help to turn the tide on scoring chances for the Bugs. I think everyone agreed that the play of the day was a total team effort when two big scorers, and guys who are looked to by each of the home teams to get ER done teamed up for one of the best two on ones that I have seen.  Jeremy and Danny went down the ice together and executed the perfect, unselfish team work that any coach could ask for.  Jeremy, who we all know has a big shot, took the puck down and faded to the right and drew the defenseman to him and then made a perfect tape to tape pass to Danny who put it away on the far post.  It was beautiful to watch.  Great to have Jeremy feeling better and Danny back on the ice with the Bugs. All in all, it was not only a great day for the Bugs, but a great day for Sled Hockey as well since we are blessed to have such caring people that believe in what we want to do and our Bug program.  My hat goes off to Mr. Nick and Ms. Connie for helping out on the bench as well as helping move gear around and players, water bottles and all that other stuff.  We just can not make this happen without that level of support. A special thanks goes out to Ms. Eckbold who has so graciously agreed to help us with sewing on all of the sponsor patches that need to be placed on our Bug sweaters before the next League games.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! Lastly, thanks to those parents that support Mike and I and believe that what we are trying to do is good stuff for the kids.  Each Sunday while driving the 2 + hours up to the rink I can’t help but smile at the many fun things I have had the pleasure of being a part of while being a teammate of your kids and many of you young (OK Doyle, not so young) other players.  It makes the drive enjoyable, and helps the time to pass.  All right, before Zach and John spill the beans, the two doughnuts I get on the way up are really nice too. Congrats to all of you BUGS.  2-0-1, not bad, and the season is just getting started.  And if you think I am kidding about just how bad that teams feels about losing to us, just follow these links and see who they talk about in their recent press coverage.  I tell ya, we have to take it to them the next time we see them. / Jim

Tough sledding, but worth the ride

He's a dreamer bent on making his dreams come true