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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 Who?
2009-09-21: Mighty Pirates 2 vs. Loch Monsters 6

"Stay tuned for the Howie Report for a complete recap of this game."

"Howie who," many would ask, and be justified in doing so. The elusive erstwhile reporter of yesteryear has barely been seen for a season or two, and his hapless reporting, involving incorrectly attributed goals, assists and plays reached legendary proportions among his followers before he completely disappeared. Now, however, he is attempting a Brett Favre-like comeback — i.e. no one really wants him back, but he is foisting himself on the beleaguered Mighty Pirate nation nonetheless.

Okay, he missed reporting on time for the first game of the season, and yes, he was "fast" asleep for the second one, but he promises — yes, promises — to be wide awake and fully alert for game number three next Monday, October 5, at 10:20 on RINX 1 against the Silver Blades. Really!

As for that first game against the Pirates' old rivals, the Loch Monsters (who are some of the biggest fans of PirateHockey.ca), what a shame that the Pirates were not able to pull off an upset to start off the season, but the histrionics started early, as goalie Lella had to scratch himself (Not the way you think! Get your mind out of the gutter!) just before the game with flu-like symptoms and the Pirates scrambled to recruit Sam Kim to step into goal at the last minute — and was he amazing or what! Then, Klein managed to mount the Pirate flag on a broken hockey stick — but he mounted it right-side up, instead of the traditional upside-down (what was he thinking, if anything?), completely negating the symbolism altogether!

Bottom line: those Loch Monsters are really good — a great passing game, excellent positioning and some superb players. And if they play like they did that first game, they'll be in serious danger of being moved up a division (and maybe eaten alive by the better teams up there). We looked good at the beginning — after all, it was 0-0 at the end of the first period, and only 0-1 after the second. It was even 1-2 with just 7:36 left in the game, but then the Pirates imploded and the Loch Monsters locked in and blew it open.

Meanwhile, the Pirates will have to figure out how to keep up their effort for a full 32 minutes, and stick to Pirate Brand Hockey® — solid defense, strong positioning and short shifts. The last is the key as the team's average age continues to climb year after year! That point was certainly emphasized by the number of two-, three-, four- and five-on-nones that the substitute goalie had to deal with. And there is no excuse for either getting beat six times by the same guy sliding the puck between the legs of the Pirates, or for standing around at the blue line while the opponents skate around and pepper the goalie with shots. Come guys, we've known this for years. Skate hard and/or get off!

With a great returning team and a roster of proven subs, if the Pirates can avoid the injuries of last year, they could make a run, Howie or no Howie. So hang on to your helmets for Season 17 of Mighty Pirates hockey.

See you all next week!

GO PIRATES!!! VIVEN LOS PIRATAS!!!

Howie who?