I Shouldn't Have Doubted the Mojo

So I made sure to wear my Habs hat to the B-Sens game tonight, as they were going up against Division leading Wilkes-Barre. Last night Jeff Glass posted a shutout in Bridgeport and got the start back here at home. Unfortunately Bingo couldn't seem to get its act together and allowed four goals in the first eleven-and-a-half minutes of the match. In Glass's defense, his teammates a) allowed too many shots on goal and b) kept leaving the back door wide open. (One of the few highlights of the period for Bingo fans came when new-guy, Mike Sgroi, engaged in fisticuffs with aging Denis Bonvie.) By the time Glass was replaced by Kelly Guard, the Sens had dug themselves a seemingly insurmountable hole. I began to think that the mojo had departed from my hat. The sole tally they had put on the boards by the end of the first period was little consolation.

Then came the second period. Of course I enjoy the middle period the most given that Bingo shoots on the goal just a few feet from me. And tonight was especially exciting. The Sens somehow managed to light up the red lamp three times while allowing W-B to counter only once. As nice as it was, I still had my doubts as to whether Binghamton could pull off a win. Given their track record as of late, I had a feeling they would find a way to completely disintegrate in the third.

Fortunately, I was wrong! They executed one of the most disciplined periods I have seen them play this season. The guys actually stayed out of the box for the final twenty minutes of regulation. And not only that, but they were able to capitalize on the one power play opportunity that came their way 2:21 into the period, when Micki DuPont was sent to the sin bin for tripping. The Penguins fans that had made the trek from Wilkes-Barre fell noticeably silent. As the final seconds of the period dwindled down, the Binghamton crowd sat on the edges of their seats, which gave way to a standing ovation for the good guys in black as the final buzzer sounded. We had not seen a comeback like this in a long time.

But there was still sudden death overtime to contend with. W-B came out swinging and seemed to frazzle the Sens. However, the guys regrouped and held the Pens at bay for the entirety of the extra period. Then came the shoot out. It was time for my lucky hat to send some extra mojo to the Sens and to Guard in particular. The first two rounds saw the teams exchange markers. Then Kelly stopped the third shooter, while Penner allowed Jeff Herema to sneak one by him. Both goalies kept the puck from crossing the line in the fourth round. The pressure was on—if Guard could keep Jean-Francois Jacques from putting one into the net, the victory would go to Binghamton. Guard did just that and the crowd erupted. I shouldn’t have doubted the mojo!

My Hat's Got Some Serious Mojo

Coincidence? Perhaps. But I'm still a little superstitious. When I wear my Habs hat it seems my teams win. When I don't, they aren't apt to. Case in point--last night I forgot to wear my hat to the Turkey Day B-Sens game and they lose (which they seem to be pretty good at this season, but that's beside the point.) Tonight I wear it and:
B-Sens beat Bridgeport 1-0
O-Sens beat Florida 6-4
Montréal beats Buffalo 2-1 (with one second left in OT).

Hmm...I'm thinking it's the mojo!

My Hat Trick

As I reflected on the B-Sens abysmal loss on Saturday night against the Phila Phantoms, I realized it was time for a change. I only wish I had thought of it sooner. See, I often wear one of two hats to hockey games—a grayish, cream Ottawa Senators hat and, every once in awhile, a bright red Montréal Canadiens hat. After watching the Habs squash Ottawa on Monday night, it dawned on me that I had been wearing the wrong hat to the games…

Tonight, I donned my Habs hat and proceeded to the Sens game expecting more fan hostility directed towards Dave Cameron. Suffice it to say it’s been a sad first month of the season. However, my expectations were burned up in the fire that had been lit under the derrières of the players. (It sure took long enough for the kindling to catch!) I was pleasantly surprised by the final 4-0 score in favor of Binghamton. It was one of the best games they had played all season. The crowd went wild as the final seconds of the game waned away.

By the time I got to my car, Grady Whittenburg was finishing a recap of the game and reporting some NHL scores. Not only had Binghamton won, but so had Montréal and Ottawa (handing Buffalo its first pointless game this season!)

As I took my Habs hat off to scratch my head in amazement, I had a great epiphany—the last time I wore it to a Sens game all three teams won as well. Don’t ask me why, but wearing that particular hat did the trick tonight.