Baumblog EST 1968 - A blog for the Baumbachs who originated in Syracuse, NY

Going into the weekend, the Motor City Madmen have the listless Dragons in a 9-2 vise grip. Without a minor miracle, the Dragons won't even have a chance to defend their title in next week's championship, and thus a new champion will arise this year.

In other news...the Neanderthals have a slight lead over the Dirty Germans, and the Dark Wildcats are taking our their frustration on the Super Media Men rather effectively.

Watch here for further developments--by Sunday night, the championship teams will be set!

Update: The Motor City Madmen held off a furious last-minute charge by the Dragons, and the Dirty Germans held out against the Neanderthals in a barn-burner. Both games came down to the last NHL game of the weekend.

Congrats to Steve and Kristen--they'll be competing for the chance to bring the trophy home over these next two weeks.

GJ said 1 day later

The Dirty Germans currently lead the Neanderthals by a slim margin...but the Dragons are putting up a fight against the Madmen this afternoon. They've cut the lead to 7-4, and with the pickup of two more categories (three are possible) the Dragons will win, 6-5. However....that will require a lot of help from the less than helpful Madmen. Stay tuned!
GJ said 1 day later

The Dirty Germans struck a blow to the Neanderthals by having their goalie pick up another win...this leaves the Neaderthals hoping the Sedin twins score at least once tonight to win the game.

In the other semifinal, the Dragons have pulled to within 5-6 in an improbable challenge to the Madmen's 9-2 lock on the game just a day ago. The Dragons need just one more category to pick up--and it might just happen!
GJ said 1 day later

Ok, the deciding game is about to start. Steve is up on GJ 7-4 and has totally locked GJ out of the GWG column. GJ has two forwards and a goalie playing, Steve has one defensemen.

What GJ needs: goals. pretty much, if GJ cannot at least tie Steve in goals, the game is over. GJ needs four goals between Hejduk and Brunette, with none for Steve's D. He also needs some +/- help, but four goals will do that.

What Steve needs: goals, just not as many. Every one Steve's D gets, that's one more plus four that GJ has to find.

It doesn't look good. Darcy's in trouble, too...she REALLY needs some PIM, a GWG, some +/-...and she has the Sedin twins to do this tonight. Darcy has about a 25% chance to beat Kristen tonight. GJ....well, this morning it was about 3%...it's now maybe up to 10%.
GJ said 1 day later

Game over, the champ is pretty much dead. Steve has taken PIM, and added to his lead in goals. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

The Darcy - Kristen game is going to the wire...and we'll have a winner in less than two hours.
Geoff said 2 days later

The cup is leaving NY this year folks! The Madmen and Dirty Germans will be fighting for bragging rights this year, and the sweet smell of victory!
Steve said 2 days later

I'm just fighting so hard for the cup because I want to know it actually exists!!!

So has it been engraved with past winners yet?

Two down, one to go! Good luck Kristen, just know I'm gunning for you! I've finished 2nd in 3 of the past 4 Hockey seasons, it's time for that luck to change. Gold all the way!
GJ said 3 days later

I will be having it engraved this week or next...but we'll award it at Memorial Day. I don't think I'm making the trip for Easter..and the game runs through Sunday night anyhow.
GJ said 3 days later

Past winners to be engraved:

2005 GJ (Darcy)

2004 no season

2003 GJ (Kristen)

2002 Marc (Steve)

2001 Geoff (Steve)

2000 Darcy (Eric)

1999 GJ (Geoff)

Runners-up are in parenthesis. Not sure if I'm engraving runner-up or not yet.
Steve said 3 days later

Um, I think I was second in 2003 as well. That's what my fantasy profile says, anyway.
Steve said 3 days later

Are you engraving just the winners, or runner's up too? I think it should be just the winners, but if you do runners up, I'd be on there 3, hopefully 4 times.... :)
GJ said 3 days later

Maybe you were. OK, folks, please take a look at your fantasy profile on yahoo and make sure it matches up with what I have here.
Geoff said 3 days later

Looks good 2 me
GJ said 3 days later

Oh, wait--we weren't going to list the runner up, we were going to list the regular season champ. Unfortunately, Yahoo doesn't list that as the 2nd place player, instead, it's the runner up from the playoffs. I think we'll just go with recording the winner--mostly to save space on the cup.

I think it'll have year -- team name -- owner name.
Geoff said 5 days later

Hey Kristen/Steve, you guys do realize the object of the game is to score the most points in order to win? Not that the Germans' blistering 2 goals and 2 assists isn't a devastating blow to the Madmen's 0 goals and 2 assists. At least it's a close game!
Steve said 5 days later

No kidding. And I've had 14 forwards and 4 defensemen already play in games this week!! Thank God this is a two week battle!
GJ said 6 days later

Last year Darcy killed me in week 1, and I returned the favor in week 2 and won the match up. It ain't over till it's over. Again, Steve, I do have to thank you for the killer week last week. Hahahaha.

GJ said 1 day later

That's one mouthful of a URL! :)

Geoff said 1 day later

You need a .com address if you can.

.net just doesn't have the same impact, not to mention people are used to typing .com and may end up going to the wrong site.

If they get the first part right, they'll get the .net part right. hehe.

You'd be surprised.

I'm kidding you. I know people are stupid. After all, I'm one of 'em.

Kristen said 1 day later

Well, we tried, but everything that was a good variation was taken...

GJ said 2 days later

Yeah, that's not too surprising in this day and age. It wasn't all that surprising even ten years ago, in fact. :)