3/9/06 Los Angeles, CA  On Sunday night, the Quakes pulled out a tight 3-2 win in the rematch with the Klondike Kings to move back into first place. After the sloppy 9-6 loss last week, Carbone had the team playing in a much more defensive mode resulting in a scoreless game after the first two periods. Ray Razo broke the ice in the third period when he blasted home a shot from the slot on a beautiful pass from Greg Shaw behind the net. The Kings came back and tied the game on a power play, but Andrew Johns scored to put the Quakes up 2-1 on a big play from speedy Tom Bourgeois. Coach Carbone took a penalty to give the Kings another opportunity on the power play. Unfortunately, the Quakes penalty killers couldn't hold off the Kings as they scored again to set up another wild finish. Goaler Gornick was called on to make several big saves until Carbone atoned himself by scoring the game winner with 3 minutes left.

Noticeably missing from the game was the Quakes high scoring duo of Dave Temkin and Adam Bogorad. Acting GM, John Gornick made a bold move by scratching the two top forwards. Carbone supported the move by saying, "We need to prove that we can play tight playoff style hockey, and without the big scorers in the lineup, the guys knew they couldn't give up more than a couple of goals and expect to pull out a win." The empowered Gornick also scratched Bill Burden, who had just returned from China. Gary Wells asked, "How can you bench the President, CEO, General Manager?" Gornick retorted, "I don't give a crap, if God Almighty is on the team, I'll sit him if he's not prepared to play two-way hockey. Burden is going to have to prove to me that he is able to crack the lineup after being out for three weeks." Later in the evening, Carbone assured everyone, that Burden will be back in charge next week for the playoffs, and they won't have to worry what kind of lineup move the "Crazy Goaler" might pull.

Erik Bateman was unable to play, when he failed a random drug test earlier in the day. After the last game, someone on the Quakes gave him a dietary supplement energy formula and Bateman decided to drink it on game day. Team attorney, Jeff Sax, commented that the PCHL could not take any further disciplinary action since it was an innocent mistake. Ray Razo added, "The only thing chemically dependent on the Flyboy is that orange hair." Bateman was a big help on the bench coaching the four defensemen and tending Goose's oxygen tank, which was needed between shifts.

Because of the dietary supplement fiasco, Burden announced that Jamie Menkee has official joined the Quakes staff, as the Team Nutrionist. Jamie is putting together a series of recipes to keep the Quake veterans sharp. Last week she baked an Irish Cream and Geritol cake to help revive the iron poor blood of the old timers.

The game was delayed for 20 minutes in the third period when Razo crashed through the boards and was out cold. After a sexy young female paramedic revived him, he was able to open his eyes, and said to her "What are you doing Memorial Day Weekend." The tough veteran only missed one shift and finished the game strong.

Coach Carbone praised the defensive team effort, but singled out the outstanding defensive play of Shaw and Leo Stefanov. Greg Shaw is best known for coaching NHL needler, Sean Avery, in PeeWee hockey. Avery was recently quoted as saying, "Mr. Shaw taught me to be the hated son of a bitch that I am today."

At the tailgate party after the game, Jeff Allen announced to the team that he would be participating with the Quake veterans in the Arizona Bible Study charity events. Missy from Liberal, Kansas, a popular charity beneficiary, was quoted on Tuesday "We love to show our appreciation to the young eager boys, even though the old guys usually present the largest awards." The potential beneficiaries were very disappointed when they heard that Coach Carbone might not be there to make his annual contribution.

A rumor has been circulating throughout the Quake office that former owner Suzy Erickson may be interested in joining some investors to buy the team from Roger Lucich. Quake historian, Bob Reefman, told the newcomers that the Quakes loved Suzy and had some their most successful seasons when she was the owner. He elaborated: "We played at the old Paramount War Memorial Coliseum and won a championship with legendary Hall of Famer, Tony Gentile, and underage rookie Josh Bogorad." It was a sad day when Suzy lost her family's fortune due to poor advice from former Quake lunch pailer, Drew Meredith and his business partner, Wally Wattenberg. The final blow was when she borrowed millions to buy a Temecula brewery named "Stupid Moose". The beer was so bad that even Gil Rae couldn't stomach it. Suzy expects to make a financial recovery with windfall profits from a new business venture started by her husband, Dave "Stitch" Erickson. The home-based business named, BlueCollarEarings.com, will be marketing jewelry to construction workers, Michigan autoworkers, and western ranch hands.

The Quakes are anxious to start the playoffs on Tuesday and win back the coveted, Cuban Cup, which is awarded annually to the PCHL champions. Their opponents will not be determined until the final game of the season, but they will have to be prepared for a tough game no matter who they play.