Congratulations Fresh Kills, 2011 BTSH Champions!

“Hollywood” Jeff Lesser Would Be Proud

TOMPKINS SQUARE PARK – Fresh Kills defenseman Kevin “The Planet” Foster has always been known and feared for his long, booming shots from the point.  Although the sage veteran has been relatively quiet throughout regular and postseason, he made a huge impact in Sunday’s championship game.  Foster’s blast from the blue line late in the second half broke a 1-1 stalemate and clinched his second BTSH championship with Fresh Kills.

Foster’s captain Dave Sokolyansky was effusive in his praise for the stalwart defender.  Soko noted, “This couldn’t have happened to a nicer, more sensitive guy.  As much as I wanted to win, I’m relieved that Kevin scored the game-winner instead of someone like my brother [Mike Sokolyanksy], who’s been a real source of irritation and consternation this season.”  Foster’s goal came as a bit of surprise, as he had scored just one goal during the 2011 season and two in 2010.

Fresh Kills’ other goal also came from the defense.  Patrick Moore, who only had two goals in 2011 himself, tied the game at one midway through the first half.  Moore’s goal was set up by the “Where am I?” line, consisting of Nick Hobbs and Scott Lee.  Lee, who was nearly late for the final after losing track of time while exploring Union Square, started the play with a battle along the dugout behind the net.  He chipped a pass to Hobbs, who found Moore wide open in the slot.

Despite Foster and Moore’s heroics, Fresh Kills still voted goaltender Patrick Barch as the team’s playoff MVP.  Barch allowed just five goals through four playoff games and made numerous clutch saves in the second half of the final to preserve the 1-1 tie.  Defender Ariel Imas commented, “It’s comforting knowing that Patrick is behind me.  I try to block as much as I can, but I know that if a shot gets through, Patrick will always come up with the big save.”  Barch finished fourth in BTSH with a 1.60 GAA during the regular season.

What The Puck’s goal also came from an unexpected source, as rookie forward Garrett Poston opened the scoring five and a half minutes into the game.  Poston, an overlooked part of captain Larry “Mad Dog” Zimmer’s offseason acquisitions, rifled a wrist shot past Barch after receiving a cross-court pass from “The All-American Canadian” Adam Skuse (a more heralded acquisition), who was wearing his lucky Bowdoin sweatpants for the game.

What The Puck was playing in its second championship in the past three seasons, as the team also lost in 2009 to the Sky Fighters.  Zimmer, who has been the team’s captain since its inception in 2001, was disappointed with the outcome of the game.  However, his mood brightened when veteran Mike “The X-Factor” Woodsworth, Amy Farley, and the rest of What The Puck presented their sheepish leader with a scrapbook filled with photos and What The Puck memories.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
#2 Fresh Kills 2, #7 What The Puck 1

	1	2	Total
#7 What The Puck	1	0	1	Final
#2 Fresh Kills	1	1	2

First Half:
What The Puck – 5:30, Garrett Poston (1) (“The All-American Canadian” Adam Skuse)
Fresh Kills – 12:00, Patrick Moore (1) (Nick Hobbs, Scott Lee)

Second Half:
Fresh Kills – 21:54, Kevin “The Planet” Foster (1) (Mike Sokolyansky, Dave Sokolyansky)