Women's Division season review
(April 25 2000)
"I want your recap to be readable."
Paula Dery was informing Jimmy Garoufalis of the ground rules. The CASC Women's Season Ending Review had yet to
be written. Paula was trusting Jimmy with this very important assignment.
"Paula, that might be difficult." Readability was not Jimmy's strong point.
"I also want your recap to be easily understood by the readers." Paula was giving orders.
"Well, that is a problem, because that too is not a strength of mine."
"I also want this recap to make sense." Paula was in a rhythm. She was not waiting for answers, and
if she was, she wasn't listening. To Paula, Jimmy did not seem to exist.
"I can try to make sense but that too… "
"And finally, I want this recap to be factual," Paula finished, without waiting for a reply.
Jimmy was dumbfounded: more so than usual. The ground rules for writing the essay on the Women's Division had
been set, and Jimmy was quite sure that he wasn't up for the task.
Make sense. Make it readable. Make it understandable. Make it factual. Paula's rules.
After a few seconds came the inescapable conclusion. Jimmy was no longer quite sure, but absolutely positive that
he was not up for the task.
The league's Most Valuable Player Award went to Backdraft's Y2J Patulli. A very deserving winner was Y2J: her
presence, skill level and goal scoring ability aided Backdraft in becoming an immensely competitive team. When
she was not present, her teammates had a much more difficult time scoring.
"I think I'll give this recap a chance," said Buddies forward 'Prime Time' Sandy Louis.
"I'm not. This is going to be impossible to read. When Jimmy's writing, it always is," replied teammate
Valerie Frost.
"But it's the last one Val. After this, it's over. No more Jimmy recaps," urged Sandy.
"I've read enough of Jimmy's recaps. Perhaps too much."
"Come on, Val, just one more. At least read the beginning. Give it a chance. I am."
"Alright. But this better be worth my time."
"Val, I get the feeling that this will be a lot more interesting than you might expect."
Heading into the season, the Mavericks were the most inexperienced team in the CASC Women's Division. Aside from
Suzanne Solomon and the Celyne Blouin-Cynthia Desanctis super-duo, the remainder of the roster was comprised of
rookies: Paula Dery, Lina Lavoie, 'The Sun' Sandra Dewling and 'Four' Claire Everall.
The season started very well for the Mavs, as 'Franchise' Cynthia was putting up four points a game, making the
learning process an easy one for the 1st year players. Learning from mistakes is done best in a predominantly
successful environment.
However, 'Franchise' soon became unavailable and the wins were less automatic. Celyne was unable to carry the
offense by herself in Cynth's absence. While Paula Dery was turning into a solid defensive player, 'The Sun' into
an intense attacking forward, the goal scoring decreased.
To solve the problem, Celyne recruited Nadine Potvin. Nadine stepped in and filled the void impeccably well:
14 goals and 6 assists in 10 games. With the gradual improvement in Lina Lavoie's play and the quick return of
the sorely missed Suzanne Solomon, Potvin's scoring became even more valuable. Maverick victories came as a result
of teamwork and individuals raising their level of play, as opposed to relying on only a group of stars.
The playoffs saw the Mavericks involved in a pair of classic games: a semifinal victory over the Buddies, where
Potvin scored the winner with less than three minutes to play, and a heartbreaking loss to Black in the last five
minutes.
"Sandy, it looks like you were wrong. So far this recap has been adequate at best. A bit better than mediocre,
perhaps, but nothing terribly interesting."
"Quite true, Valerie, but if this average, if this is mediocre, then it's already an improvement for Jimmy."
"You've got a point, 'Prime Time'. I'll keep reading. For now."
"Ladies, the lecture will now begin. Today's topic: 'Fact, Fiction, and What We Can Get Away With If The
Editor Is Lenient'.
Suzanne Solomon was in her element. The ladies in her class were listening devoutly. Suzanne continued,
"So, ladies, who can tell me the definition of fact."
"Anything Paul writes because Paul writes the truth," said 'The Sun' Sandra Dewling of the Mavericks.
"Decent answer. But I want a more practical answer. Anyone else?"
"A thing known to be true," spoke Backdraft forward Sheila Turner, "a thing known to have happened."
"Good answer Sheila, but it sounds like you took it from a dictionary. Can someone give me a practical answer?"
The room fell silent. Suzanne expected more participation. Seconds passed, then a minute. Finally, Buddies
forward Wendy Churchill picked up her hand.
"Suzanne, I think I know the answer. Fact is attempted honest misinformation mixed with dishonest truth
and honest dishonesty combined."
Suzanne stared straight ahead. What kind of answer was that? She was close to asking Wendy what that meant,
but that would mean confusion and chaos. For Suzanne.
No, it would be better if she just agreed with Wendy. Less confusion that way: for Suzanne.
"Class, that is the correct answer. Fact is honest honesty combined with dishonest …oh, whatever it was
that Wendy said."
The award for Best Defensive Player went to Matilde Ribeiro of the Buddies. 'The Controller', as she came to
be known, proved to equally adept at preventing scoring opportunities as she was in frustrating opponents with
her pinpoint passing.
"How is the recap coming along?" Paula asked Jimmy. Paula wanted a status report.
"It's coming along," replied Jimmy. "It's there."
"Are you following my orders?" Paula inquired.
"As much as possible."
"And what advice would you offer readers at this point?"
"That they should stop reading."
Hmmm, Paula thought. Readers should stop reading. That didn't make much sense. Even for Jimmy.
Maybe I was wrong, Paula thought. If only I had asked Paul to write the season ending review. Things would have
been different. I wonder what Paul would be writing at this moment.
……….the Mavericks were a great team that barely lost the championship game. When Black played the Mavericks they
used a 1-2-1 system in which Arianthi piched to cover their best player, Nellie would wait for the outlet pass,
Nakos would cut across the middle while Vangie crashed the net. It was a wonderful experience playing for Black:
they made each game against the Mavericks a joy to be a part of.
"You know something Valerie, Jimmy has written traditional recaps," averred Sandy Louis.
"You're kidding right. When did that happen?"
"Relax Val. I didn't say it happened often. But remember the semifinal game we lost to the Mavericks."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"No, Val, I was referring to the recap Jimmy wrote. No quotes. Jimmy made the game the story."
"And what a great game it was."
"Exactly. Jimmy wrote only about the game and the recap was….."
"Dignified," said Valerie.
"Intelligent," agreed Sandy.
"Filled with integrity," added Valerie.
"And factual," agreed Sandy.
"Yeah," said Valerie. "I didn't like it either."
Backdraft captain Joyce Turner took a relatively inexperienced team and, despite early season difficulties, turned
them into a much more competitive squad by playoff time. The standings and statistics may not be the best reflection,
but Backdraft games were, with little exception, always close tight checking affairs.
Backdraft were led by the diminutive and speedy Y2J Patulli, who finished tied for 2nd in the league with 24 goals.
Y2J was a scoring threat whenever she was on the floor. She was frequently teamed with Sheila Turner, whose physical
presence and sound knowledge were perfect complements for the all-world skill of Y2J. Nathalie Cohen and Joyce
Turner, on the other hand, comprised the more defensive duo up front, to the point where a certain individual assumed
they both played defense until he was told otherwise.
Rookies Michele Laforest and Maureen Forrester formed a very creative combo, especially when they played on the
same line, while the lanky Geraldine Mickie, by the end of the campaign proved to be tough to go around. Catherine
Doyle, after a slow start in what for her was a new sport, proved to be a quite adequate addition. Daphne Nadler
was always in scoring position, always on the brink of breaking through, while Rachel Hawes scored a pair of highlight
film goals.
Backdraft was able to overcome somewhat a lack of firepower in their lineup. By keeping the games close and low
scoring, they relied on teamwork and tenacity for their success.
"Celyne, I think I made a mistake." Paula Dery was worried.
"How so, Paula?" Mavericks captain and Dery teammate Celyne Blouin asked.
"I asked Jimmy to write the Women's Season Review."
"Why'd you do that for?" asked an obviously upset Celyne.
"I don't know," replied Paula dejectedly.
"Wasn't Paul available?" Celyne asked.
"It's too late now. Just like the time I got upset with you and Nadine (Potvin) when you made a mistake."
"Yeah, what does that have to do with Jimmy?"
"Well, what I said got you and Nadine upset. It made you both mad at me. I don't want to do that with Jimmy.
You know, hurt his feelings. Make him mad at me." Paula was now sure that asking Jimmy was the wrong choice.
"Paula, let me make this easy for you. Nothing you say could make me or Nadine upset."
"That's a relief," sighed Paula.
"And as for Jimmy," Celyne continued, "nobody cares about his feelings."
"Thanks Celyne. I feel much better now." Paula felt more relaxed than ever before. I wonder what Paul
would be writing at this moment, Paula thought.
…..there is so much that one can write about Backdraft. I can write about them all day. Black defeated them 4
times and tied them once. Against them Vangie and Nellie each recorded hat tricks, while I had a pair of shutouts,
I would have had three if I didn't give up a goal in the last three minutes of the playoff game to…who was it,
oh well, it doesn't matter. Cathy Miseros played some of her best hockey against Backdraft, Demitria soared in
the neutral zone. Black made each game against Backdraft a joy for me to be a part of.
The Buddies, with their experience and reputation as a softball team, came into the season as the most complete
team in CASC. Captain Valerie Frost had familiar faces in all the important slots. 'The Controller' Matilde on
defense, controlling the play with fluidity and grace. Carine Contreras at forward scoring at an incredible pace.
Debbie Stevenson and Wendy Churchill as physical towers up front and on D, respectively and 'Prime Time' Sandy
Louis and Stacey Scott playing two way hockey filling the key voids of the moment.
Having an intact team was what prevented the Buddies from encountering a serious slump. The toughest stretch
of games for the Buddies was in January-February when they were winless in five, but that included four ties.
Consistency, a preponderance of close games and a balanced effort from both the defense and forwards were the calling
cards for the Buddies.
"Ladies, we will now continue the lecture, 'Fact, Fiction and What We Can Get Away With If The Editor Is Lenient'.
For this part of the course, we will discuss fiction."
Suzanne Solomon motioned for attention. "Now who can define fiction for me?"
"Something untrue," said Maverick Claire Everall.
"Not bad. Anyone else."
"A story that is not fact," proclaimed Backdraft's Rachel Hawes. "Something made up. An inventing
of imaginary accounts and incidents."
"Very good although a bit on the dictionary side. Anyone else?"
Wendy Churchill spoke up. Suzanne braced herself.
"Suzanne, fiction is unintentional inaccuracy blended with intentional untruth and truthful intentions thrown
in with inaccurate dishonesty."
Suzanne Solomon could only stare straight ahead. Once again, she could argue with Wendy. But she'd have to understand
Wendy first.
"Class that is the correct answer. Fiction is accurate dishonesty and intentional….oh, whatever it was that
Wendy said."
"I'm tempted to skip to the ending," vowed Valerie.
"I don't think you should do that," countered a disagreeing 'Prime Time' Sandy Louis.
"Why not? I'd save a lot of time that way.'
"There's a reason why you shouldn't skip to the ending," said Sandy.
"But this recap is boring."
"Don't do it."
"But this recap is waaaayyy tooooo long."
"There's a reason not to skip to the ending."
"Okay, I'll bite. What's the reason?"
"Valerie, I have a strange feeling that this recap is not going to end the way most people think."
………the Buddies had some great players. Black was able to slow them down by using an attacking 2-2 system whereby
Nellie and Vangie would pinch deep while Sue and Arianthi pinched as well, creating a snowball effect. The ball
would be away from me most of the game, and it worked because Black won the season series I forget how much. Black
played very well and were motivated to play well against the Buddies. They made each game against the Buddies
a joy for me to be a part of.
Team Black won the CASC Championship because they had the best top-to-bottom roster in the league. A strong team
led by the returning Vangie Platon and Christina Nakos was bolstered with the mid-season acquisition of the dominant
Nellie Principe. Add to that the other members of the Fab 5, Demitria Vlouhos and the intrepid Christine Landry
and winning was made simpler. Defensively, Arianthi Kourakis, Sue Stackos and Cathy Miseros more than held their
end of the bargain. 1st place in the regular season, 4 players in the top ten in scoring. Two playoff victories.
Deserving champions.
"Ladies, we will now conclude this lecture. Here to answer questions is Jimmy Garoufalis, I'm sorry, did
I pronounce your last name right Jimmy?" asked Suzanne.
"It was close enough." Jimmy was confused. Questions made him nervous. Questions required answers.
Answers required answers.
"So Jimmy how are you?"
"I'll know in a few minutes."
"Let's get to it. How would you define fact?"
"I'm not sure, I guess fact is something that's true."
"Very good answer. Now how would you define fiction?"
"I suppose fiction is, I guess I don't know I would say fiction is something that is I don't know sort of
true."
"I understand."
"You do?"
"No, actually I don't. What do you mean by that?"
"Sandy, I'm gonna stop reading right now. This is going nowhere."
"Stop that, Val. The recap isn't that bad. Is it?"
"Sandy, it's worse than bad."
"Give it a chance. What do you have to lose?"
"My afternoon."
"But it's almost over Valerie."
"How long till it's over?"
"Very soon."
"Oh all right. Let's get this over with."
I remember the game I played for Backdraft against the Mavericks. It was the late game. I had just finished playing
for Black. They beat the Buddies 3-2 by taking my advice. They used the 1-1-2 format where Demitria and Sue played
the role of defensive minded wingers while Nakos attacked up the middle to stifle any outlet passes. I had a blast
playing that game.
"Jimmy, for the last time, what is the difference between fact and fiction?" asked Suzanne.
"It's like, the difference between a fictional article and a story that isn't true." Jimmy did not
like questions. Questions required answers.
"Do you expect anyone to understand that?" Suzanne was confused.
Wendy Churchill stood up. "Suzanne, I think I understand. If you would allow me."
"Go ahead Wendy. Please enlighten us."
"You see what Jimmy is saying is that fiction and fact are equal facets of identical theories which allow
intentional misinterpretation for the purposes of unintentional effect in an interpretive manner which then conversely
comes across as an idea which constitutes competing definitions. Is that correct Jimmy?"
"Yeah, yeah, that's what I wanted to say. Good answer. Passing marks Wendy."
"Thanks," replied Wendy, "it was pretty easy if you think about it."
"Is that really your theory Jimmy? asked Suzanne.
"Of course it is," replied Jimmy. "the difference between fact and fiction is the theories of
misinterpretation of competing interpretations and converse manners. Just like Wendy said. Don't you believe
me?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore "
"Are there penalties for bad writing?" asked Valerie. "If there were Jimmy's team would be shorthanded
all year long."
"Aren't you're being a tad subjective, Val," Sandy replied.
"I'm being polite Sandy. But at least he spared us his so-called poetry."
It was too simple a name
It had no catch when said
Where's the fortune and fame
With a name like Big Red
Task: find something new
Said Big Red's unruly mob
Disenchantment grew and grew
Threatening the captains job
But finding a new name
Was put on the backburner
Because of 'The Game'
The indelible Joyce Turner
Paula Dery had given up. She would trust Jimmy after all. He had promised to follow orders.
He had promised to make the recap, the important final recap, sensible, readable, understandable and factual.
Jimmy promised. Paula knew that Paul would definitely have been the better choice: however, it was too late.
"It's over Val. Aren't you glad?"
"Yes I am Sandy. But you lied to me."
"How?"
"You told me this recap would be interesting."
"It sort of was."
"You also told me the ending would surprise people."
"There was no ending Val. No beginning or middle either."
"You told me it wouldn't be a waste of my time."
"It wasn't really."
"You know, it's all Paula's fault for trusting Jimmy. What was she thinking?"
"Val, why don't you look on the bright side?"
"There's a bright side?"
"Yes there is. It's the last recap."
"You're right Sandy. That makes me feel slightly better. But only slightly."
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