All-Star Team Wins Pupster Cup; Opposing Coach/GM Suspended

An All-Star team made up of five Dallas Stars players and Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy defeated Team White Boy in the 2002 Pupster Cup finals last night. Team All-Star won the fourth and deciding game of the series by a count of 5-3, thereby posting the first 4-0 series sweep in Pupster Cup history.

Defenseman Richard Matvichuk scored the game-winning goal in game four and was named co-MVP of the series, along with recently acquired goalie Patrick Roy.

I can't tell you how exciting it is to sweep this team in the finals, said Roy, who dominated Team White Boy by turning aside numerous dozer attempts by opposing center Bill Pinkeye. When those guys traded me, I made it a personal goal to make them regret that decision. As I skated on the ice after game four with the Pupster Cup over my head and the Hockey Night in Cabot theme song playing in the arena, I think they got the message.

Team All-Star consistently scored big goals at key times, winning by scores of 5-4, 5-4, 5-3, and 5-3. In games one, two and four, Matvichuk scored the game-winning goals from his left defense position. Matvichuk, normally a stay at home defenseman, scored 11 goals in the series, more than doubling his regular season goal output of four.

In game one, they left a lane open for me and I buried the slapshot from just inside the red line, a champagne-soaked Matvichuk said after the game. To be honest, I was a little surprised that I was that wide open. I took the shot and I think it surprised their goalie. He never even moved. I expected them to make defensive adjustments in later games, but they never did. I was open the entire series, and just kept burying the same shot. They looked like they were doubling Mike Modano and not paying attention to me. I think their coach must have been asleep at the wheel.

Team White Boy coach/GM Thad James left the rink without comment following the disappointing loss. James had guaranteed a victory in the Pupster Cup finals, after admitting to buying his team. James previously told The Hockey News that he not only bought this team, I had them delivered via U.S. Mail. Despite the high payroll, Team White Boy was a disappointment in the finals, as their high-paid superstars failed to perform at key times against the small-market All-Star team.

Holey kamoley, we got screwed in the finals, James told The North Little Rock Times by phone after game four. Our guys were supposed to get their red and white Team Dozer jerseys before game one and UPS must have lost them. As a result, we had to play the entire series in some all white uniforms. Our guys had problems picking up their teammates because they blended in against the ice and the boards. Our passing was off all night. I think we only converted four or five dozers the entire series. And as everyone knows, we're a one-trick pony. When that trick isn't working, we're dog food.

Later in the evening, Allen Bigwig, commissioner of the NTTHL announced that James had been suspended for the next Pupster Cup Series and fined an undisclosed amount. Coach James's actions after the game violate his contract with Team White Boy, and with the NTTHL, Bigwig said. Abuse of officials will not be tolerated, nor will threats against opposing coaches and players. In addition, Coach James was arrested by the Cabot Police Department and charged with disturbing the peace, after honking the horn in his personal vehicle repeatedly as he left Maynard Arena. Cabot has a quiet curfew beginning at 9 p.m. James was also citing for driving under the influence, and engaging in an illegal gambling activity (playing hockey for money). His actions are definitely a black eye for Team White Boy.

While James spent the night in jail, the celebration at Maynard Arena went well into the morning. Players skated with the Pupster Cup, and posed for photos at center ice. Coach/GM Rick Maynard, in a display of humility that has become his trademark, remained on the bench while the players celebrated. I preferred to give the players the time to celebrate the win, Maynard said. I'll take some credit for putting this team together, but it was guys like Chuck' and Patty that made things happen on the ice. I honestly think this team has turned the corner. We could be the next NTTHL dynasty.

Maynard added that the play of the recently acquired Roy in game one was a key to winning the series. The goalie turned aside several chances early in the series with acrobatic saves that appeared to demoralize Team White Boy.

Trading Eddie Belfour for Patrick Roy made a huge difference in our team, Maynard said as he accepted NTTHL Coach of the Year honors from Commissioner Bigwig. Beside the fact that Roy is a better 'big game' goalie, it had come to our attention that Belfour had been playing with a broken stick for several months. A few inches on the tip of a goalie stick can make a huge difference, and Patty showed that in this series. The guy is all but unbeatable when he has intact equipment. And that's something we've been missing.

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	Pupster Cup
All-Star Team Wins Pupster Cup; Opposing Coach/GM Suspended