I want to provide an account of a great feat of physical prowess by an Add-A-Man that I witnessed this past Saturday night. As a result of the grace and generosity by which all Add-A-Men are known, my son and I were the guests of Piet Lindhout at the Michigan hockey game.
As we arrived, Piet
entered his name to participate
in the world-famous "Score-O" competition, as he has done (without
success) for some fifteen years of attending Michigan hockey
games. This competition allows three fans to try their skill
at scoring a goal from center ice during the second intermission.
It
is no ordinary goal, however. The goal mouth is covered by
plywood
except for a narrow slot at ice level approximately one foot wide and
three inches high. Each contestant is allowed two attempts.
As
fortune would have
it, on this day of all days, our founder and
great leader was selected to participate. As the time for the
competition approached, Piet became excited and perhaps even
slightly agitated at the prospect of participating in the great
competition. Your correspondent even detected a trace of
perspiration on Piet's brow. His concern was not for himself,
however, but for his family and friends who had placed their trust and
confidence in him.
At
the appointed time, we
assembled at the edge of the ice, at which
time Piet was provided with a stick. Your correspondent
observed that the stick was of clearly inferior quality and protested
that it was rather ungentlemanly to require the contestants to make
their attempts with such deficient equipment. Piet would hear
none of it. As he often says, it is a poor workman who blames
his tools.
At
the appointed time, our leader strode onto the ice and was selected to
go first. The "Score-O" target was duly affixed to
the goal. Conquering his understandable
anxiety, our hero manfully addressed the puck, carefully eyed
the target, and took his first shot. Your correspondent and
other assembled witnesses were immediately concerned, as the puck
seemed to elevate off the ice when first hit, possibly putting it too
high.
Well,
I am happy to report
that such fears were unfounded as the puck
settled back down to the ice and went straight through the
slot. No
second attempt would be required that night. Great cheers of
acclamation filled Yost Ice Arena.
Another
contestant failed in his two attempts, but a third contestant
— a young girl of about 8 — was successful.Hey Bubba, is this the guy?
Happy Halloween!
I
intend to contact the stewards of the competition with regard to her
goal. It clearly appeared to me that she was given more than
two chances, and she was allowed to make her shot from about five feet
away from the goal instead of the centerline. I am not
well-versed in the rules of "Score-O," but I believe those were
infractions.Hey Bubba, lighten up!
In
all events, Piet left the ice crowned with success.
Complete strangers approached him to shake his
hand. Though
that was more than sufficient recompense as far as Piet was
concerned, he was also rewarded with a gift of $100.
I am providing this account because such great feats should be remembered in the annals of time and all Add-A-Men would want to know of the fame obtained by our founder and great leader Piet.
Patrick 'Bubba' Rode, Ace Reporter
