‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the rink
Not a fan was stirring, or sipping their drink;
The Stars were in first place with eight points to spare,
In hopes that St. Stanley soon would be there;
Bennie and Seguin were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of Art Ross danced in their heads;
And Klingberg on the blue-line, and Spezza down low,
Had visions of just where the puck needed to go,
When out from Roussel there arose such a squawking,
For Big Rig was punching faces, and through defenses Hemsky was walking.
Away to the far post Sharp flew like a flash,
While Nuke kept the puck no matter the slash.
The “A” on the breast of the hat-wearing Vern,
Was an honor his play did so thoroughly earn,
And though Eakin’s zone-wandering sometimes brings a frown,
Just remember his holding Sid Crosby down,
With Matty Janmark skating so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be another great pick.
And while in some number the shots against came,
Neither Antti nor Kari surrendered the game
That left it to Coach Ruff to bellow out loud:
“Now, Sceviour! Now, Johnny! Now Jordie and Kevin!
On, Patrik! On, Jason! On, Eaves and on Moen!
To the top of the slot! To the top of the crease!
Now crash away! Shoot away! Get two goals apiece!”
As leaves that before the shining Stars fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So out of the zone the skaters they flew,
With the power play scoring, and the PK too.
And then, in a crash, I heard from their zone,
A pinch from Goose and the puck fired home.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
There was the blaring goal horn, an unmistakable sound.
The crowd all wore Green, from head to foot,
Except for Hawks fans, tarnished with ashes and soot;
Our Victory Green-clad boys, assembled with care,
By Jim Nil the trader extraordinaire.
His eyes €”how they twinkled! His mustache, well trimmed!
His players like puzzle pieces, perfectly assembled by him!
His goaltending was shorn up, wouldn’t you know,
And the goals-against average impressively low;
The defense fought harder, the puck they did win,
And with deft passing each transition did begin;
The offense? The offense! Those boys sure can roof it,
And might snag an Art Ross, a Rocket, and a Norris to prove it.
There’s no quit on the roster, and that’s a known fact,
Not even on nights when they play back-to-back;
Just a flick of the wrists and our boys are ahead,
Then another, and another, filling opponents with dread;
Though there is still time til the season does end,
And the games get tight when the playoffs begin,
For now our Stars shine and fill us with hope.
At 26-7-2 they’re clearly no joke;
So don’t take them lightly, and don’t miss a minute,
If they’re playing a game, they’re playing to win it.
So here comes the 2nd half, buckle up tight,
“Happy Season to all, and to all a good night!”