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After extensive contract negotiations, the Mighty Pirates organization is extremely pleased to welcome back Howie for another season of insightful, amusing, and extremely addictive commentary! Yes, Howie tells it like it is!

You'll find links to each and every Howie Report right here after each game.

Howie-Les Report: The End of a Curse
2008-12-29: Mighty Pirates 5 at Aeros 2

It was a sad day for Pirate veterans Bingham, Kwinter and Mandell, as their roster eligibility came to a close after this game. Knee injuries have kept these fine Bucs out of the lineup all season long, and according to TNHC rule #31a, "no person is allowed to play on or after January 1st if they did not played for the team on or before December 31st." A great shame.

The Mighty Pirates (8-5-1) would also have to finish of the 2008 calendar year without the services of Besant (Classified), Leggett (Travel Bug), Captain Mola (Knee), J. Mintz (Travel Bug), Sager (Travel Bug) and Sousa (Travel Bug), leaving Alternate Captain Mutch with just nine skaters to face their newest rivals, the Aeros (5-8-1).

Superstar 'keep Lella would start between the pipes, as Mutch put together forward lines of Gallivan (C), Turner (L) and Zsirai (R) and himself (C), Sturgeon (L) and Klein (R). On defense, the trio of Jezioranski, E. Mintz and Tassone would have to ration their energy if they hoped to stand their ground against the strong skating Aeros.

The Pirates hadn't beat the Aeros in three games, starting with the horrifying collapse at Ricoh Coliseum in last year's Finals. Earlier this season, the Aeros crushed the Pirates 0-6, so the pressure was certainly on.

The Aeros were not without their own roster woes, as superstars Cain and Hontscharuk, among others, were out of action. Nonetheless, the players that did show up were ready for battle!

The game opened at an extreme pace, with teams getting opportunities at both ends, but a penalty parade slowed the pace from the midway mark of the first period. Just as an Aero penalty expired, Mutch would open the scoring, set up by Jezioranski and Klein. The goal put Mutch into a tie for the division lead with the Hogtown Chiefs' Danis, each with 13 goals.

A strong follow up shift saw the first line put on some good cycling pressure. Zsirai went behind to Gallivan, who sent it back hard — so hard, in fact, in rolled around the boards to Tassone on the point. With just a mere second left in the first period, Tassone blasted home a 2-0 Pirate lead.

More quick skating would start the second period, and the teams traded more opportunities. Lella was fantastic, making numerous kick saves throughout the period. The Aeros would finally strike midway through the middle frame, however, as O. Baczynsky would take the puck end-to-end, beating Lella with a spectacular shot. 2-1 Pirates.

Hard, end-to-end hockey ensued, and some good passing gave the Aeros a glorious chance in close late in the period. Li would be turned away beautifully by Lella, but as the star 'keep attempted to clear, Schopp managed to knock down the puck and fire it into the yawning cage. Ooops, tie game, 2-2.

It looked like we may be headed into the final period in a deadlock, but the end of the second featured the longest eight seconds in hockey history. Gallivan hit Zsirai with a pass at the blueline with 8.3 seconds to go. Breaking into the zone, Zsirai took a shot that was neatly stopped, but proceeded to take the rebound puck behind the net. Another shot was stopped, but Gallivan snagged the puck along the boards. Throwing it out front, Zsirai collected the pass and stuffed it home with 0.3 ticks left. More last second magic!

Though the Pirates had the lead, the Aeros started taking control of the game in the third. Immense pressure would follow a power-play with 4:59 to play. And, for over two minutes, the Aeros had the Bucs hemmed in their own zone. Somehow, Lella and the boys kept the puck out of the net. The save of the game came with a low scooping glove which picked a puck destined for the far corner of the ice. Miraculous!

With 2:43 remaining, Lella called a team timeout and spoke to the boys at the bench. Players recall calming words, meant to focus the team. Would it work?

Well, Gallivan would win the draw to E. Mintz deep in the Pirates' zone, and E. Mintz fed a streaking Zsirai with a breakaway pass, and the rookie sensation made no mistake giving the Pirates a 4-2 lead just five seconds after the timeout was called. And then, 16 seconds later, a Jezioranski clear led to a Gallivan breakaway, and another goal, which would seal the deal. Yep, Lella's a genius!

So, the curse is over, the Bucs have beaten the Aeros. No doubt, they'll be gunning for your heroes in the next meeting!

Up next, the Pirates will face the Hogtown Chiefs (6-6-1) at 8:10pm on Rinx 2. The Chiefs will be hoping to close the gap in the race for the divisional title. It should be a dandy!