Our greatest frustration came against the Blackhawks (as was so with nearly every team they played). They were the League Champs, and the best we could muster against them all season was a tie. The following season brought us the same misfortune. (But at least we made the play-offs that year.) For 2 more seasons we would continue to lose (often only by a goal) to them. Even a season in which they were nearly undefeated, a tie felt like a loss. The thing about it is they don't seem that good. Nothing about their players or their play ever stood out as that spectacular. Perhaps that's why we couldn't find a way to beat them... or perhaps it was a curse. 

They remind me a bit of the Red Devils we used to play against years ago at Seafair. They have the same colour jersey and although they aren't called the Devils, I'm certain one or more of their players must have sold their soul to the Devil. I can't think of any reason why it took us 4 years to beat them. But it did, and yes we finally did! 

We did on Thursday, Oct 11 in our first meeting of the season with this team. Despite a close 5 - 4 finish, it did not seem to be a difficult task. Consider too that we won without our League Top Scorer, Derek May and his imposing line mate and uncle, Hap May. We were able to do it because of one thing - we scored more goals than them. Obviously. But the reason we were able to do that is because we finally have some guys who can put the puck in the net. Norm Warn, who I often mistakenly spell as Norm Warm is now Norm Red HOT. He didn't score in this game but he did set up two. And with his 4 goals and 6 assists in 4 games, he's already showing that he can carry the torch around the net for as long or longer than Derek May sits out with injury. Lawrence Bourke is back to try the Cowboys again after a sporadic début two years ago. If he can stay healthy and keep his car out of the way of oncoming traffic, he'll help the Boys in the scoring department. We already know that Steve Tomicki can put it in the net if someone gets him the puck, and while rookie Paul Falconer may not leading scorer, we all know he's good for a whack of assists. What's interesting about this game, is all the scoring came from two defensemen (Glen May and Dave Fair) and three plumbers (Jack Zelweger, Ross Hillman and yours truly, Doug Collins). This is because we finally have three solid lines. No longer do we need to rely on our top power line to fill the net. Any line the coach puts over the boards now can go out and get the goal. This is a tremendous asset, one that will give the Cowboys a leg up towards the most successful season in years. But it will not be enough to win the championship. No, to do that we have to work on the other half of the equation. Remember, we won because we scored more goals than them. They scored 4. They would have scored many more if it were not for a stunning performance by our Goaltender, Dave Harkness. 

No team can win a Championship without an outstanding goaltender. We need that from our goaltenders, and they have proven that they can deliver it. We need to help them deliver. 

In the dressing room following the victory, Derek May stopped in for a visit. His comment, "Sure is quiet in here for a team that just won.", cut through the silence with resonance. It was true. Everybody was extreme pleased with the results and perhaps we were all still savouring the satisfaction, but perhaps it was because it wasn't over. No, this was the beginning. We had found a way to win, now we have to find a way to keep winning. 

My advice: Change nothing, just do it better, and do it longer. 

We took control of the game in the second period. In the third period we were up 5 - 2 and we knew we had them beat. The thing is, they didn't know that. They kept clawing back. They came within 1 with 4 seconds left and that's with one disallowed goal! They probably would have tied or better had they not foolishly taken two unsportmanship penalties with 3 minutes left. We had control of the game, but we were on auto pilot for the final 5 minutes. We're lucky the league cahnged the rule last year to have stop time for only 3 minutes and not 5! 

Any game can be won or lost in the last 5 minutes of the hockey game. The Cowboys should know that better than others, having come from behind to win countless hockey game, earning a reputation as "The Comeback Cowboys". But that's when we're behind. Holding a lead seems to be our weakness. When we win the Championship at the end of the season, because we will have learned how to get a lead and hold a lead. That is only possible with good defensive play particularly from the forwards. 

The room livened up after Derek's comments and it was truly a joyous victory, but it was not the last. The curse has been lifted. The game's in our hands now, let's keep it there. 

- Doug "Mr. Cowboy" Collins 

As I said, we have been getting good turn outs, so when 3 important players return something happens - just get 18 players!  That is four forward lines, six defensemen and generally a cold team on the bench. 

That will only happen once a year.  Some difficult decisions have to be made now, but from a manager's point of view, this is a good problem.  At least 5 players will have to step aside as long as this trend continues.  That is step aside, not down, because the Cowboys do not cut players.  We exist as a group of dedicated players who want to play.  Playing ability is secondary... or is it?  There is not one player who doesn't want to win.  Most will readily set aside to help the team. It is an attitude unfortunately bestowed on some of our best players.  

I always try to be fair as a manager, believing that you always need to go with the team that got you there.  Trouble is, I don't particularly like where we've got to.  In the coming games, with the guidance of the team, I will make what may seem like some unfair choices.  Players that have not been showing up may be bumping those who have been their all year.  Good and dedicated players may return from injury to find their position filled.  I trust the players who have to sit will do so for the greater good, but if they are any kind of player at all, they won't be happy about it.

We have a lot of work to do in the next 9 games.  We have 18 points available to  pick up, and with the right and consistent group of guys we can take every one.  We've done it before, and we absolutely have to do it again.  And if anybody thinks they won't get a chance to play, take a look at last year when we lost 5 players to injury just before the playoffs.  This is a long battle ahead and we need everyone with us.

- by Doug Collins,
Manager, the Richmond Cowboys

This year was different.  Some say the the "Old Boots" threw the game, feeling sorry for the "Young Boots". Others say the game was fixed.  The truth is, the game just wasn't fixed enough to save the Original Team from the inevitable.  Of course, showing up without a goaltender didn't help the Originals much either!  Original goaltender, Andre "Red Light" Retel decided he wasn't healthy enough to play in a 'real' game, so passed the honour to the usually reliable Billy Frame. 

Five minutes into warm-up and still no Billy.  Ten minutes later the game began without Mr. Frame.  Reluctantly, the Original Cowboys were forced to dress Glen May for the duty between the pipes.  Glen has played plenty of goal and is quite capable, but his power as a defenseman was a definite loss. 

It was a spirited battle, close until the later stages of the game when the under staffed Original Team ran out of gas.  Even the extreme talent of retired, all-time high scoring Terry Dennis (who now plays only once a year) was not enough to salvage even a tie this year.  The Old Boots battled within a goal, pulling the goalie in the dying minutes only to be scored on twice.  The Original Team cried "uncle" (or should I say "nephew") and proudly handed over the Old Boot for the first time.

It was a bitter sweet loss for the Original Team.  It was difficult to accept defeat, but pleasing to see a new breed of Cowboys finally suited to carry the torch.  But the contest was not finished.  There was still much to be proved in the dressing room, and it was proved many times that night.   At eleven o'clock the last of the Cowboys fell out of the dressing room and either stagger or were carried up stairs to Stanley's Bar to begin celebrations.  It was about this same time, on a chesterfield deep in the heart of a downtown Richmond apartment, a weathered old seaman opened his eyes.  "Man, I feel pretty good for just a fifteen minute nap", remarked Billy.

No, Billy, you will never live it down.

- by Doug Collins

Some may attribute the turn around to super star, Derek May's return to the team from injury.  (Just the fact that he's healthy again proves to me that it's a case of body exchange.) But Derek returned at the beginning of the year, and the team has shown no improvement until February 13th.  This new Derek is obviously an alien. Hap May is back too, and normally he would make a difference, but he was stinking the joint out too...until February 13th. Since then he's become the dominant factor you would expect from him... and far more even tempered too. He's an alien. Lawrence Bourke is finally scoring goals with 2 hat tricks in a row, jumping into the Top Ten in League scoring and second on the team. Alien. Even Norm Warn is scoring again and Matt Donelly is playing like a young man again! Alien, Alien.  Paul Falconer's assist total has dwindled significantly.  Definitely an alien.

Still need more proof?  For the last two games, Ross Hillman did not go up to the bar! I rest my case.  

These boys aint from around these parts, these boys is good. 

Of course, I could be wrong.  Maybe it's the same old boys who don't get started until after Christmas every year.  Perhaps old age has delayed the start just a little longer.  By now I should come to expect it, and I do.  This time last year the Cowboys were the best team in the league going into the play-offs.  Only injuries stopped us from going all the way.  A few games back that seemed like a long time ago.  It's easy to forget what it feels like to win, but once you put a couple together, it feels pretty good, and you want to keep feeling that way.  No one can deny that we are the best team in the league right now. I have no doubt that we will win the final game of the season, if we can stay healthy and if the mother ship doesn't return.

- by Doug Collins,
Manager, the Richmond Cowboys

It was game two of a best of three final after exchanging wins in two grueling overtime games.  We got there by sweeping the first place Blackhawks in the semi-finals, but with 1 goal deciding both games it was far from easy.  Before that,  had it not been for a six game winning streak to end the regular season, we might not have even made the play-offs. But we were hot now, and on paper we were the best team in the league at the moment.  We just had to prove that tonight.

That much was clear as I drew near the rink, yet I couldn't help to be puzzled by my emotions.  At this particular moment, nothing seemed more important than winning this hockey game.  Why?  It's just a game.  It's the same game I've played for 35 years.  It's the game that I've known and loved since I was first allowed to stay up past my bed time (I was an eastern boy) to watch what is still my favourite television show, Hockey Night in Canada.  It's a game I've dedicated a great deal of my life to in the past 24 years. I have enjoyed tremendous camaraderie and developed great friendships over the years, but it was still just a game.  This was not a war that would bring great liberty if won and unthinkable tragedy if lost.  So why did feel like it would?

The answer would come sooner than later.  It wasn't the Derek May's game winning second goal.  It wasn't even when Cory May carried the heart of the entire team on a driving breakaway goal to insure our lead.  It wasn't when Hap May drove in the final nail with an 'empty net' goal  to secure victory. And it wasn't when I held the trophy high, saluting a packed house of Cowboy fans. It was just before the puck dropped that I realized the significance of it all.

There was probably 60 or so people who also thought this game was important enough sit for over an hour in a cold arena stands to find out the results first hand.  Twenty years ago we used to boast pretty good fan support for men's recreational hockey, but I do believe this was our biggest crowd ever.  Now if you don't think that makes a difference to a hockey team, you should see the game from the players bench, particularly the opponents bench. 

Everyone had various reasons for being there.  There wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and unborn children.  But there was this guy.  I don't know him.  Nobody seemed to know him, but he seemed to know something about us.  At least, he knew something about hockey.  The teams were on the bench, the players were gathered at centre ice for the opening face-off, and there was this sound... a strangely familiar sound.  It was kind of like seeing an old dear friend, but not immediately recognizing his face.  It was the sound of a trumpet, quiet at first, stuttering slightly on the first few notes.  But it grew louder, and prouder and just for a moment I looked to see what time it was and wonder if I was supposed to be in my 'jammys'.  It was the theme to Hockey Night in Canada, undeniably a rendition equal to the original song that drew Canadians to their TV sets coast to coast when we we all just kids.  But this was better.  This was live!

At that moment I knew what this whole thing was all about.  This was more than a game.  It wasn't war... no contrary, it is life.  I am a hockey player, the guy next to me was a hockey player.  We don't set aside other things (sometimes important things) to come out week after week, year after year just for a game.  No, we live this stuff.  Hockey is part of us, it's bred in us.  It's part of who we are, and it's part of those who know and love us.  This is particularly true for the Richmond Cowboys Hockey Club as was evident in the building that night.  We could not lose, we could not surrender, we could only take the Cup that was delivered to us.

So why were we all so nervous about it?  Because if we weren't, we would not have been there. 

There's more to this Cowboy game than a few sticks and a chipped puck.  It's all around us.  We found victory, not on our own, but with the support of those around us.  Credit can be given to our youth, Derek May who so often carries the team....Cory May, as Paul Falconer said, "The Golden Boy who came into his own that night"... Our solid veterans who have stood by this team for so many years...Our Coach, Jeff Cruickshank who gives it up to help us behind the bench each night... the undying dedication of our goaltenders, Andre Retel, Al Baxter and the stunning play-off performance of Dave Harness who inherited the right to be our #1 goalie and did not let us down...Our many fans, who if I named a few I would have to name them all (beginning with Wendy Fontaine)... And of course the Cowboy Daddy, Duncan May from whom this team was literaly born.  But for this victory I give most credit to a mysterious bugle boy, by the name of Brad Reid who not only rallied the troops, he brought the building closer together and he reminded me about what this whole thing is all about.  Thank you, who ever you are.

Sure, I know, we're just a bunch of aging, 'never-has-been' hockey nuts. It wasn't the Stanley Cup, but you know what? We can still have the same theme song.

- by Doug Collins