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Big stage, big game: In front of 17,496 seats and nearly 200 supporters, beneath the big scoreboard and the great grey Shark-head, with the echos of Theo Fleury's overtime winner still fading, Labatt Blue and the Enforcers took to the ice for their long-awaited match at the San Jose Arena. In a strange twist of fate, this game turned into a preview of the PHA E-League Championship Finals when both teams won their first-round playoff matches the night before. The 3-0 Labatt win at the Tank won't affect the official standings, but the game certainly set the stage for a great season finale on Sunday, March 24 in San Mateo.

"True" hockey fans get a treat: Friends and family, on the ice and in the seats, is what this game was all about. Playing hockey at this level is where the real love is -- what else would lead grown men and women to abandon their spouses, pets, or warm beds to work up a stink and crawl home well after midnight? This time, the supporters got their own late-night treat, watching the boys and girls on the ice while having a blast in the stands. Whether cheering for "Penalty Man" or ooh-ing and aah-ing at each save, it was the fans more than the venue that really made this a special night for both teams.

Defense, goalies shine in low-scoring affair: With only two goals scored before the final empty-net tally, this game featured solid defense, aggressive back-checking, and top-notch goaltending. Tank games typically feature an all-star-game kind of atmosphere, but the looming playoff final added an air of determination and intensity that focused both teams on playing their best. Determined to give up nothing, each team limited the number of odd-man rushes and aggressively challenged the puck-carrier in all three zones.

"Rocky" punches out the win: Abandoning his "Rocky the Squirrel" routine for a "Rocky Balboa" motif, Scott Mirer scored in the first period to give Labatt the lead off a slap shot from the point by Gary Pagdilao. Later, Rocky delivered the knock-out punch with his second goal on a breakaway late in the third (who made that sweet pass to spring the play?). At the end, Rob Cassetti and Farooz Alikhan rushed the puck up ice, with Rob tallying into the empty net as the final seconds ticked off the clock. Add to those three goals solid netminding from Rick Seis (especially the stop he made in the third against a breakaway chance by the Enforcers), and it sums up to a great win for the Blue.

Thanks to all: The Labatt Blue squad would like to thank everyone who came to the game and supported both teams on the ice. Our special night at the tank wouldn't have happened without you. Thanks also to the Enforcers for a great match -- see you on Sunday!