by Patrick Larsen

Weirdly, a lot of people still ask who writes the BTSH website (even though I’ve been doing it for over two years now). If you don’t see a byline from Rich, Eli, Ben. Monica, or Abby then I wrote it. In my role as website editor (and site contributor before that), I’ve probably written about every team in this league at least a dozen times. And it feels like I’ve written about the LBS. and the Hookers at least a 100 times. So I’m not going with a straightforward game preview this time. I’m here to tell you why you should get your ass out to Tompkins and the ACE this Sunday. Listen up!

1) FINALS WEEKEND IS ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN THE GAME – Just like Superbowl Sunday is about a lot more than football, BTSH’s final weekend is about a lot more than the championship.
i) Come play in the open scrimmage (it’s usually some of the most fun hockey of the year and a chance to meet people you never played against).  Even Jerome Ramos scores in these games!
ii) Join the heckle wall. Most year’s it’s at least as memorable as the game. Best heckle wall cheer ever? Sharif Corinaldi telling the Hookers they had no chance against the Rainbows goalie Trevor (aka “Jesus”) Tyrell. As Corinaldi shouted “the Power of Christ compels you”, the Purple People Eaters realized it wouldn’t be their year.
iii) Stand next to Julie Katz at the final. She always has candy and with the game only a few days before Halloween you could score big!

2) YOUR TEAMMATE IS PROBABLY NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD (AND SOMEONE YOU HATE PROBABLY IS AS WELL) – There’s nothing worse than hearing your name announced for an award and then hearing silence after it. Support your teammates. Get loud. And make sure you chant “Rehabs suck” whenever they’re nominated for anything.

3) YOU’LL SEE SOME DAMN GOOD HOCKEY – While it will be tough to top last week’s Kills-Hookers thriller, the finals are always a quality game. Sit back and appreciate how good this league has gotten over the last few years.

4) YOU WON’T SEE A LOT OF THESE FOLKS UNTIL NEXT MARCH  – And believe it or not you’re going to miss them. Give Claire Weingarten a hug, write in Brian Ferry’s yearbook, promise to stay in touch with Romeo. BTSH really is high school with money. Make some memories.

5) TIM WILL BE SAD IF YOU’RE NOT THERE – Do you really want to disappoint him?

Good luck to the LBS and Hookers this Sunday. I’ll see you all courtside!