Much like the last couple of sessions the weather on this day could not have been more perfect for hockey, sun gloriously blazing but nice crisp air with a calm breeze off the water. It was a Good Friday, but a great Friday for hockey. With the holiday we would see the return of a couple of out-of-towners, Griff and Tom. As last week, all goaltending today would be of the fructus variety, pitting The Blueberry against The Grapefruit once again.

Today would feature an epic 7-game series, with a few fulfilled redemptions and ultimately one of the greatest comebacks in Burton Hockey history. Although there were a few personnel changes (players arriving, players leaving, and one trade), the core of the teams stayed the same and it was accepted that this was indeed a seven game series.

Eric-Marcus-Bernie-Ollie-Rob-Al(G) would take the first game rather handily by a 5-2 margin against Tom-Griff-Ryno-Dom-Lars-Sam(G). However, Team Grapefruit wanted a chance at redemption, and with the added factor of J-Bo's defensive prowess to their team, they would have it, winning the next game in sudden death overtime. In fact, they would win the next two games as well, all in overtime, all on game winners by J-Bo, the last of which was a slapshot so hard that no one could actually see the ball until it rippled the chain link.

Despite being down 3-1, Team Blueberry had faith in themselves and wanted a shot at redemption, so the series was extended to become a best-of-7. With a newfound belief in themselves, Team Blueberry came storming back winning the next two games 5-2, 5-0. Game 7 (note Eric was traded to the other team for “future considerations” to balance out numbers) was perhaps as epic as the series itself with Team Blueberry winning in sudden death overtime on a breakaway deke by Rob, demonstrating unusually deft hands for a grinder. In fact, Rob's limitless energy, grit and determination was a large factor in Team Blueberry's ultimate victory, perhaps best exemplified by a pass while sprawled on his back which resulted in a tic-tac-toe goal finished off by Ollie-to-Bernie..

One final randomized game was played before a number of people had to leave and the session was called. Also of note: Sam was solid in net today again and if he continues to improve at this rate, he could certainly give Dom a run for his money for the dual threat of the year award.

A glorious day for hockey today, intense competition, an epic series; it is hard to imagine this day being spent in any better way.

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Thanks, Bern! Rob’s energy today for Team Blueberry did indeed seal up another session scoring lead; a very even-handed 12G-11A. In second at 19 points was Oliver (6G-13A) edging out Marcus (10G-8A) by a point. Dom grabs his first ten-assister ever in fourth. In goal, Alex’s super-hot streak continues with another .840-plus performance (.841) on 138 saves including a nine-shot shutout (a record-setting 17th all-time) in Game 6. That game represents the first time I can think of where one goalie stopped all of the shots he faced in the same game that the other let all of the shots he faced in. Sam picked up 104 saves in the other seven games, however, and finished at .739.

Here are the game scores:
Blueberry (Marcus Bernie Oliver Rob Alex w/ Eric 1-5) def. Grapefruit (Dom Lars Sam w/ Tom 1-4, Griff 1-5, Ryan 1-4, Eric 6-7) 5-2 4-5 4-5 4-5 5-3 5-0 5-4
Oliver Bernie Eric Rob Alex def. Jordan Marcus Dom Lars Sam 5-1

With the long-awaited return of Graeme Orr, BUSH has a session ready to go for Sunday. Check back late Sunday night for the stats!

Season Stats: With Andrew Smart missing his first session since January, the gang gets a chance to eat into his massive scoring lead. Leading the charge are Oliver and Rob at 149 and 147 points, respectively... Marcus passes Tony for fourth, 133-125... Bernie closes to within six of sixth-place Stefan, 109-103... Jordan passes Lee for eighth, 90-86; Lee also gets tied by Eric to round out the top ten... Marcus moves back into second in goals with 75, while Rob trails brother Ton y for third, 69-68... Bernie and Ryan pass Mitch for eighth in goals... Andrew’s assist lead over Oliver shrinks to 119-89, while Bernie moves into the top five at 65 and Dom now sits an apple out of the top ten... Marcus passes Stefan for fifth in shots... Sam falls from third to sixth in save percentage... Alex passes Dom for the lead in games goaltended, 64-60... Alex becomes the first goalie with three shutouts this year... Andrew’s lead in total star points over Alex shrinks to 125-110, with Rob tying Dom for second at 70... Marcus falls behind Brad to fifth in PPG.

SDF/GDF: Note: these will change with the BUSH session tomorrow, so these are preliminary... Andrew Smart leads his eleventh ranking, tied for sixth all-time in ranking led. Rob takes a big chunk out of Smart’s lead this session, however... Eric drops two spots to nith, as does Ryno to 13th... Alex leads the GDF for a second straight week, increasing his lead slightly over Ryan Bateman.

All-Time Records, Awards and Honours
All-Time Session Scoring Milestones & Streaks
All-Time Session Goaltending Milestones & Streaks

On the All-Time Front: Rob becomes the 13th player to score 600 points; Barlow needs twelve to do the same... Ryan passes Laird for 19th in points and needs seven for 500; Marcus passes Eric for 24th... Rob passes Ryan for 16th in goals and Barlow for 13th in assists... Eric needs 13 shots on goal for 1,000... Alex passes Laird for second in saves with 4,244; he’s got a way to go to catch Dom at 5,471... Sam becomes the 18th player to play 300 games; Eric needs five for 200... Alex moves from seventh to fifth in games goaltended ahead of Bron and Nathan; he’s just one game behind Joern for fourth at 261 and twelve behind Chris for third at 272... Alex sets the all-time shutout record with 17, passing Bron... Oliver is 15 three-star points behind Stefan for fourth with 715... Alex is just 15 points behind Seamus and Dom for the all-time lead in goalie star points, 405-405-390... Rob pots his 20th 15-pointer; Marcus his tenth... Dom has three career 15-pointers – all in a row; Rob has three straight as well... Rob has back-to-back 20-pointers... Dom notches his first ten-assister... Rob moves into eight in ten-assisters with 14... With his 24th .800 session, Alex moves into third all-time, seven behind Nathan and Seamus for the lead. He is fourth in .810s with 20 and sets a new record with seven in a row. Alex also has six .820s in a row, tying the existing Burton record. He ties Justin and Seamus for the all-time lead in .830s with 17 (you guessed, six in a row). He is one away from Justin’s leading .840 total of 14, and has two in a row... Alex becomes the first player to record 20 consecutive 80-save sessions, reflecting the volume he faces session in, session out; Sam has four in a row... Alex ties Dom for the lead in 90-savers with 30 and has seven in a row... Alex now leads by himself in 100-savers with 26 and beats Seamus’ record with his eighth in a row; Sam has four in a row... Alex sets a new record with seven straight 110-savers; he also has six straight 130-savers... Sam’s streak above 110-saves end at two... Oliver has the fourth-longest consecutive session streak ever at 34; Dom has the ninth-longest at 25; Bernie has 13. Andrew Smart’s streak ends at ten.