PEORIA, Ill – Just this past weekend, the Louisianna Ice Gators were swept at home by the Peoria Rivermen by a combined score of 11-7. One of those games went into overtime.
I didn’t travel to Lafayette, so I kept tabs on the games via the Gamesheet on the www.TheSPHL.com – the league website.
Now, being a nerd, I don’t just shut the lid on the old laptop when time expires. I’ll look back at the Gamesheet a bit after the game. Sometimes an assist is awarded or changed. Those penalties at 20 minutes of the third period are always interesting late-adds. Sometimes the attendance isn’t put in until late. Â Also, one of the very last things added is the “Three Stars of the Game.”
Now, I understand that the 3 Stars is completely subjective. Heck, no two teams seem to pick them the same way. For some it is local media, for others it is a team employee of various levels. The guidelines for picking the 3 Stars…well, there aren’t any. It is an honor, of course and the fans seem to enjoy it. Some fans seem to stick around to see the announcement, win or lose, and applaud good hockey.
Imagine my surprise to see, on Thursday night after the Rivermen had won decisively, the 3 Stars were all Ice Gators. Then, when the Rivermen won in a dramatic overtime game…none of their players were named a Star. Well, you can bet I wasn’t so surprised when it happened again on Saturday.
Let’s take a look at that Thursday game, again. Peoria won 3-1, with an unassisted goal by Mike Gurtler and Adam Stuart had a goal and an assist. The 3 Stars, however, had a combined 1 goal, no assists, were minus-3 and had 9 PIM. What’s sad is that Jeremy Boyer actually deserved to be on the list with his goal, no PIM and plus/minus of zero. The other two? Not so much. Boyer’s decent night just looks like blatant homerism. Don’t believe me? Take a tip-toe through the game notes and look for yourself.
I don’t know who in Lafayette is to blame.
Macon has been a work in progress so far as their 3 Stars have been spotty. According to Mayhem spokesman Steve McCall, this is simply due to the near decade long absence of professional hockey in Macon. “We are training our off ice crew on the Pointstreak system and that is one area they are still learning,” McCall told ProHockeyNews.com via email.
What’s the excuse in Lafayette? The Ice Gators were asked for comment via email but did not respond.
This reflects poorly on the team and, by association, the league.
While I understand that this is low minor hockey and that everyone is on a budget, this is about character. Besides, class and respect don’t cost anything.
UPDATE: Edited to remove incorrect reference to Mississippi RIverkings
Contact the author at Shaun.Bill@ProHockeyNews.com and follow him on Twitter @SLBatPHN .
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