Pressure plays its game

KYLE BERGER REPORTER

They say that pressure makes diamonds. But when it comes to team sports, sometimes it turns out more like unstable cubic zirconium – which eventually just deteriorates.

Whether it be the subtle pressure of knowing that you can win or the more obvious pressure of knowing everyone expects you to win, it is uncanny how significant a role pressure can play – especially in the playoffs.

Pressure, in all likelihood, has already contributed in at least a small way to this year's Vancouver Jewish Hockey League (VJHL) playoffs as the underdogs have continued their climb over some of the league's top players.

As expected, the one-game knockout round proved to be unforgiving, allowing the Blue Bulldogs the chance to squeak a 2-1 victory by the favored Purple Reign. I had suggested that a poor outing by Reign goaltender Dave Taussig could turn into a Bulldog win. Instead, it was the suffocating defensive play of the boys in Blue (more commonly known for their offence rather than defence), combined with an inability of the Purple forwards to finish their plays, that sent the Reign to an early end-of-the-year party the following Sunday.

We also watched the Golden Bears ignore my suggestion of a Teal Lightning visit to the finals with a 5-2 upset victory.

In the third match-up of the opening round, the Red Rockets did manage to score four goals, well above their 2.11 regular season average, but they let a one-goal lead slip away with just minutes remaining in the game, then watched the explosive Black Panthers net the winner in the final minute.

That game didn't come without its share of controversy, however, as discussions of dirty play overshadowed what might have been a game-changing error by the timekeeper. Apparently, with just a couple of minutes left in the game, and the Rockets still leading by one, the clock stopped running while the game continued for the better part of two minutes. Many of the Rocket players were fuming after the game, saying that time should have expired before the game-winning goal was scored, sending the game to overtime instead.

While the semi-final round is just one game into the best-of-three series, it could be suggested that pressure has once again reared its ugly head as the Bears are now just a win away from making their second finals appearance in three years after a 7-4 victory over the fragile Panthers last week. Seven goals against would have made for a disappointing day for Panthers goalie Paul Pulver had he not just witnessed the bris of his son Eli Jacob earlier that day.

And while the White Rhinos hoped a team practice might have made up for the bye week they earned as the league's top team, they instead watched the Bulldogs win their third straight game, all against this year's top three VJHL regular season teams. (They finished the regular season with an win over the Panthers.)

If pressure had gotten to the Panthers and the Rhinos already, it's not likely to loosen its grip when the teams face off for Game 2 this Sunday at 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at the Richmond Ice Centre.

Incidentally, there are rumors swirling that Rhinos forward Dean Fader, who is out of action with a broken leg, may change his jersey number to #3 next season in honor of his new son Dylan, who was born March 3, 2003, at 3:03 a.m.

Elsewhere in the JCC adult sports department, registration begins March 15 for the 2003 co-ed softball league. The longest running JCC league runs from May through August at various ball parks around Greater Vancouver. The games will be played on Sunday and Monday evenings and the cost per player is $80 plus GST for JCC members and $105 plus GST for non-members.

The men's and women's basketball spring leagues are set to start in April and will run through to the end of June. As well, there is a women's self-defence program, kayaking programs and a backcountry hike planned for this spring.
More information about all these programs can be found online at www.jccgv.com or by calling 604-257-5111, ext. 219.

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