Spongee Memories…

 

2007-08

 

A new league, a new arena, new rules, but pretty much the same old team.

2007-08 marked the 25th season for Apocalypse Now as they began play in Bobby J’s Kildonan Sponge Hockey League after the demise of the Babinski Old Ex league. The schedule included games against 11 different teams, a default win and a half decent regular season record of 7-5-2.  

 

Other notable occurrences in the season included:

 

  • The return of Jason Allard after a seven year absence. Allard won the scoring title with 23 points ending Myron Fiks’ 3 year run at the top. He also set a record for assisting on 5 consecutive goals in a game against his brother Taylor and the TSF.
  • Both Myron Fiks and Jim Moore notched their 100th assists.
  • Patrick Nikolaus moved passed Mike Sanderson into 21st place on the all-time scoring list.    
  • Jeff Wrobleski and Rob Moore became the first 50 year old players to ever play for Apocalypse Now
  • Jeff Wrobleski also became the first Apocalypse Now player to record 500 points in a career.
  • Apocalypse Now set the record for the longest streak without a penalty; 8 consecutive games.
  • Bryan Wiebe recorded his 50th career point.
  • Only 48 pounds of chicken wings were consumed after games over the course of the season due to the many double headers. This was down about 50% from previous years.

 

The Play-offs   The Kildonan league has a distinct play-off format which the Apocalypse team was not accustomed to and which they blamed for their poor showing. All games were played on ‘Play-off Weekend’ that also involved a beer gardens. The random schedule saw Apocalypse Now face Sunnyville Trailer Park in the first game of the play-offs. The Trailer Park boys soundly beat them by a score of 7-3.  It was on to the second game but unfortunately the Proliners decided not to show. The Apocalypse team was given a free beer and the choice of going to the B-side or the C-side. They chose C-side and ended up playing the Drunken Fish who laid a beating on the hapless Horsemen.  It was Patrick’s birthday and he had been celebrating prior to the game which led to a conflict between him and Myron that drew the attention of neighboring rinks and forced the cancellation of the end of season race. It was a disappointing end to a season to forget.

 

The wind-up was held in March and began at Boston Pizza on Regent Avenue. Bryan Wiebe, Rob Moore, Jeff Wrobleski and Guy Sever attended. After a few cocktails, they moved on to the infamous ‘Spike’ bar in Transcona. After one Vodka and Red Bull, Guido was seen staggering out the door and disappeared into the night. It was decided that a second annual Spike windup will occur.

 

Roster:  Veterans: Rob Moore, Jim Moore, Jeff Wrobleski, Guido Sever, Myron Fiks, Bryan Wiebe, Jim Heim, Darren Warbeck, Patrick Nikolaus, Tristan Carlson and Jason Allard  Rookies: Duane Jarvis