OutdoorType

Your Washington Capitals played the Ottawa Senators tonight in a game that looked to go into overtime but instead finished 4 - 2 in favour of the Caps.

Ottawa (29-12-4) came into the game leading the Eastern Conference by seven points over the New Jersey Devils and also boasted the best road record in the East. But, much to the dismay of our hostess for the evening, Washington had Ottawa’s number. Tonight they concluded a season series perfect 4-0 record against the Senators. Oops.

Our neighbor to the north’s national past time game was just the prelude to the night’s fun. It helped set the mood for what came next, a battle royale of the sexes… BroomBall, Girls vs. Guys!

Now, a word about broomball. First off, “broom” is a misnomer. You say broom and think a stick with bristles such as might facilitate in cleaning a floor. But we did not use a broom with bristles. No, what we used was a broom for the modern era… A sleek and shiny broom made of aluminum and high speed, injection molded plastics. In our respective “locker rooms” we strapped on knee pads and helmets and selected our brooms. Strategies were devised, trash was talked, and superstitious rights of game day passage were performed. (also some of us advised our teammates to flip their helmets around so they weren’t worn backwards).

We proceeded into the arena like modern day gladiators and stepped tentatively onto the ice.

The game began and life became a blur of action. Bodies attempted to maintain their tenuous upright perch upon the ice (but so often failed). Cardiac thresholds were reached and surpassed. The black game balls became objects of desire, sliding in and out of tunneled vision. Goals were scored over and over again. As the seconds clicked down to zero a final score for the men secured victory and boasting rights.

Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land. Let us drink from the keg of glory! I hope to play Broom Ball again.

A smattering of photos on Flickr.