The weekend we'll never forget

HA HA! Back from the dead for but a brief moment Ladies and Hosers. It's certainly been a long season of ups, downs, beers, more beers, and Mainers that are so ugly, no amount of beer could possibly convince me otherwise. But after the weekend that transpired a few blocks from my abode in downtown Manch-Vegas, I felt compelled to grace you with a musing that you all have been missing for quite sometime.

I make no qualms about it folks, this has been a tough season for all of Hoser Nation. It was a season of a few great games, and some really bad ones. OT and Grandpa Hoser made few appearances as they have been very busy with raising the great Hoser child of the Future (whom is to my understanding has become the biggest hit on NESN besides Hazel Mae and Heidi Watney), and yours truly had to break his own streak of consecutive home games (nothing compared to other Hosers but nonetheless) for work reasons. The Good Guys in Blue had some rough weekends throughout the season that made much of us faithful cringe at times and they were dealt less than a pleasant card this postseason.

First it was playing Brokeback College it the HE Quarters. And the bags of douche were able to leave our home away from home with their collars popped high and their trust fund fueled egos in tact. Then we discovered that for the NCAA regionals, we would be facing the Fighting "CENSORED" in mine and the Godfather's backyard. I make no bones about it Hosers, this backyard has been less than pleasant for the Good Guys in Blue in years past.

We arrived at the regionals only hoping they would put on a good show, and for the most part heading into the 3rd period they did. And then with a 5-3 lead for NoDak late in the third, even the most die hard UNH backer was preparing for the usual early exit.

Then Greg Collins brought the deficit to within one goal late in the third. A faint hope existed from that moment. But with 5.7 seconds left in the game, it should have been done with. The game should've been over. North Dakota with their reputation should've ended UNH's season with that faceoff. There were people on USCHO ready to start the UNH offseason thread.

With .07 seconds left, Thomas Fortney defied everything and sent all of New Hampshire into hysterics. A simple rebound goal tied the game. UNH is never supposed to make plays like this and certainly not like this in the NCAA postseason in Manchester, but they did. And for the first time ever, the line between Lake Whittemore and the Rink on the Corner of Granite and Elm was blurred as the building shook with excitement.

And then 45 seconds into overtime, Peter Leblanc committed the ultimate act of defiance of common beliefs by blasting a one-timer for the win.

I simply say, there are certain moments as a sports fan that stay with you forever. For me, there's Dave Roberts stealing second, Vinaterri's field goals in 01, Game six vs the Habs this past year, and now there will be 03/28/2009 UNH vs UND. No one could've predicted nor scripted this game any better for all the UNH faithful.

Today, a grand prizefight between BU and UNH took place that should also go down in history as one of the best played games in history. While it is dissappointing that UNH was unable to advance beyond today, it does not tarnish nor take away what was really accomplished by the good guys in Blue this weekend.

For the first time in a number of years, the Good Guys in Blue truly captivated the Granite State if not all New England with the amount of heart, grit, and will to win they showed in the face of tremendous odds. For that, I raise my glass to the Good Guys in Blue, in particular those that played their final game in blue and white tonight and say thank you and congratulations for competing with the passion and honor you showed.

Once again, there are moments in time you can never ever forget. This weekend, all of UNH will remember that .07 seconds is all it takes to make one believe again.

Good day, eh!
Rouge