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Finding
the winning combination
One player away. Or Probably a few! Some dismiss that statement that a team might be looking for the last few pieces of the puzzle as a cliché. But it seems that every year during the Killingworth Guppies Season we are talking about one more example of a player or two who indeed helped a team get to that decisive game. In 1996 It was the Addition of Rob Murphy and Joe Linskey that helped the Guppies win their first Championship. In 1998, as much as it pains me to say it, the Addition of Jason Prozzo help the Guppies capture their second Championship. In 2002 it was Brian Mulcahy scoring the Overtime goal in the Semi-finals and finally, Brian Kelly's hat trick in the 2003 Finals. Whether it's the New York Yankees trading for Alex Rodriguez or the Guppies trading for Dan Pequita the credo of trying to acquire that last piece to the puzzle comes up every year in every sport. But this is more than just a giant fantasy league. Well maybe not!! "It's true there can be only one winner, but a lot of teams think they are on the threshold of greatness ... and are one or two players away," Guppies forward Tim Poulin said when the Guppies made it to the Finals last season before losing to the Knights in three games . Like a jigsaw puzzle, a successful hockey team consists of many pieces. But the puzzle can't be finished until you find the key parts. Hockey has a history of championship teams making one or two key moves and winding up with the Championship. "We have a older team that has a lot of potential and experience. There's nothing that I'd like to do than help this team win a Championship," Poulin said. "I was in only my first full season with the Gupps when I went to the Finals against the GCP and we lost in the finals. Then it happened again the following season when we lost to the Knights. I think we have all the pieces in place this year, I hope!!" Poulin is one of only two Guppy players on the current roster never to win a championship with Killingworth, Dan Pequita is the other. It isn't always about getting a star like Poulin the way the Guppies did. It's just adding that right piece of chemistry that interacts with the rest of the team. In addition to adding Linskey and Murphy in 1996 the Guppies added the physical presence of Dave Armenia.
"The Idea is trying to identify your weaknesses and then fill those holes as much as possible," says Guppies GM Brian Kelly. Chemistry and teamwork are essential in a sport in which only a few players play 6-7 minutes per game. "You don't want to bring in a problem player or the wrong players," Kelly recalled. "It could put your franchise back years." "It's all about having the right guy in the locker room and in the rink!" stated Guppies Assistant Captain Marc Crayton "Guys need to sacrifice and understand their roles on the team. We have been lucky with that aspect" The Team first mentality seems to be shared by all the players in the Guppies locker room......except for...... you guessed it.....Joe Linskey!! "You people are lucky I talk to you. When I see Kelly I'm going to punch him in the mouth for making me talk to you people (reporters)" This was Linskey's response to my question about team chemistry. He continued, " I play for myself!! I'm looking to get the big dollars and get out of Killingworth! Remember That!!!" Despite Linskey, you see, value in terms of acquiring players who can fit in and provide plenty of intangibles. Intangibles that turn into League Championships. Chemistry. Fitting in. Working hard. Those are the secret weapons at this time of the year.
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