“It’s a fun, casual way [to play], and no one has experience so you can just have fun” said junior and captain of the Fur Traders Chloe Pepke.
Players do not wear ice skates and instead don sneakers of their choosing. The court is the width of a normal hockey arena with a goal on either side. The last major difference between broomball and hockey comes down to the stick that has a triangular paddle.
Broomball is a lot less structured than other sports with the clock never stopping and play only ending when a goal is scored or the ball is shot out of bounds.
Tonight’s matchup is the Fur Traders versus Weak Team.
Goalie of the Fur Traders, Pepke had this to say before the game, “I’m excited …this is sort of a dynasty, this team used to be the undefeated champions.”
Watching Fur Traders play, it is clear that this was a champion level team. Wasting no time in the early game Furr Traders’ No. 54 David Heinrich scored the first goal of the game.
The Fur Traders were looking good out on the ice, moving as a unit and focusing much of play near Weak Team goalie DongHoon Lee.
Unfortunately, as shot after shot was taken at Lee in the early game, he was unable to keep up and 2 more goals soared over his head in what felt like rapid succession. The second by No. 51 Devin Miller and the 3rd goal of the night by No. 55 Ben Hoy.
At this point, the audience from the previous game of five had trickled down to two individuals posted in the stands. Audience reactions were neutral throughout the match so cheers instead poured in from the benches of the teams.
Junior Emilio Diaz-Perez enthusiastically backed his team “Let’s go guys, we got this!”
Practically sealing Weak Team’s fate, Fur Trader No. 55 Hoy scored his 2nd goal of the game.
Fur Traders led 4-0 at the half. After a rough first half both teams took a breather and regrouped. The Weak Team that came out after the intermission was fueled by a fire that could be felt from the bench. Lee’s hands improved drastically once he was warmed up, and a comeback felt possible.
Unfortunately, Lee’s efforts were for not as his team ended up letting him down resulting in three Fur Traders unguarded at the net. Lee’s quick hands and agility prevailed in this instance against Fur Traders.
Even with a 4-0 lead, the Fur Traders were relentless in their quest for Weak Team’s pelt. One final bullet from No. 42 Emmett White sealed the fate of Weak Team.
Lee had this to say post-game, “We don’t really care whether we win or not. It’s our first time trying to figure out broomball.”
“Currently our team name is Weak Team, hopefully we don’t get to be Weaker Team” remarked Lee.
At the end of the game both teams shuffled off the ice in smiles as the true appeal of broomball is quality time spent with friends.
The MFJS Reporter -- Winter 2020 T-R 