11/1/05 Lakewood, CA The Los Angeles Quakes opened the home season last night with a 4-3 win over the powerful Medicine Hat Monkey Time surprising hockey pundits from all over the world.  It was a magical evening for the largest crowd ever to witness a hockey game in California. The 19,167 Quake faithful at the beautiful Lakewood Gardens were treated to a game that will go down as one for the ages.  The race horse brand of hockey that was on display was reminiscent of the great Quake teams of the mid  90’s that were led by the fabled “Butt Brothers” line. 

Just 25 seconds into the game David Tempkin knocked the puck past Farzad Etemedi (24 shots, 20 saves) making it apparent to all that this was not going to be an easy evening for the Monkey Time. Adam Bogorad and Jeremy Menkee set up Tempkin’s goal.  Etemedi, who last year at this time was playing for the Dubai Daggers, seemed shaky all evening as he struggled to make even the easiest of saves.  Only 5:06 later, Tom Bourgeois made it 2-0 picking up a loose puck in front of the net and roofing it over a fallen Etemedi.  Rick Carbone and young Jeff Allen picked up the assists.  Bourgeois, returning from a stint on the disabled list because of a groin injury, would only play a period before retiring because of light headedness.  “I hope this is nothing more than a temporary setback,” said Bourgeois, “it felt really good to get back out there and contribute.”  The first period ended with the Quakes leading 2-0 and the crowd roaring.  “When we left the ice after the first period, the roar was deafening,” said Nick Wood.  “It’s fabulous to play in front of fans like that, they truly swung the pendulum in our favor tonight.”  Wood and Jeff Sax both returned to the ice after serving one game suspensions in what is now being called “Boobgate”.  Rick Carbone added, “I thought we played our best game in years, we played solid positional hockey and didn’t let them (Monkey Time) get untracked.”

Monkey time was able to close to 2-1 at 2:05 of the second when Willis Santamaria banged a rebound past John Gornick, who faced 30 shots.  Bryan Elorriaga and Scott Tierney picked up the assist.  Gary Wells was in the vicinity and commented, “That little (expletive) spun away from me.  I should have had him.  Overall, I was pretty happy with my evening, though.”  The Quakes made it 3-1 at 10:30 when Jeremy Menkee blasted a slapshot from the left face off dot past Etemedi.  “I definitely got all of that one,” remarked Menkee.  “I think the shot handcuffed him a bit.”  Tempkin picked up the lone assist on the marker.  With 3:14 remaining in the period, Dana Guidence picked up a loose puck and converted.  Sean Simons picked up the assist.  Menkee said, “I blocked the first shot and couldn’t quite get my stick on the puck.  I felt bad for Johnny on that one, there was not much he could do.” 

Things could have gotten away from the Quakes in the third when Medicine Hat tied the score at 3 with a short handed goal just 2:03 into the period. Simons scored assisted by Cobey Woodall and Erik Elorriaga.  The real assist should have gone to Nick Wood who mishandled the puck at the blue line allowing Simons a break away.  Gornick saved that and when Wood picked up the puck in the defensive zone he promptly passed it to Eloriagga which starting the play.   “These kids, sometimes they have their heads up their (expletive),” said Coach Randy Carbone.  “I’ll cut Nick a bit of slack, though, because overall he played a heck of a game.”  The score remained tied until only 4:45 remained.  At this point, Allen reminded everyone of why he is with the big club, he took a pass from Rick Carbone behind the Monkey Time net, danced out front and beat Etemedi on the short side with a hard wrist shot sending the crowd into a frenzy.  Even the normally reserved fans in the luxury boxes could be seen dancing and screaming.  The Quakes were able to hold off the Monkey Time the remainder of the way and handed them their first loss of the young season.  “I knew I could play at this level!” screamed a jubilant Allen in the locker room.  “I knew I had to play the game of my career or I was headed to southern Arizona.  After tasting the good life with the big club, I was determined to not let that happen again.”

After the game, everyone was smiles, team owner Roger Lucich saying, “I think Carbone and (GM Bill) Burden really have these guys clicking on all cylinders.  I expect a wildly successful season.  I have always said I’ll spend money to get a winner.”  CFO Larry Glascott, modeling a white leisure suit with a powder blue shirt, commented, “These boys are terrific.  It’s fiscal responsibility that allows you to get yourself in a position to win.  Roger and I have certainly done our jobs, let’s hope that Randy and Bill do theirs.”  When asked about Allen, Glascott remarked, “It’s about time he did something.  The only thing unfortunate is I already purchased a one way ticket to Tucson for him.  I hate wasting money.”  Burden, in his post game interview, said, “When you play hard, good things happen.  We were able to frustrate them and they took numerous stupid penalties in the third period.  Smart hockey is played by smart people.  I like to think that we are smart people.”  Coach Randy Carbone gushed, “This was our best effort in years.  With Goose (Carl Gosewisch) being a stabilizing force on the blue line and the nice mix of veterans and youngsters up front, we should be a contender.  This is the foundation we needed to set and we can build from here.”

No account of the game would be complete without describing the introduction of Hall of Famer Carl Gosewisch in the pregame ceremony.  All of the Quakes received a nice reception but the building was actually bouncing when public address announcer, Jim Carr, bellowed, “And starting on defense, number 24, Hall of Fame defenseman ‘Goose’ Gosewisch.”   Gosewisch said, “The roar sent chills up my spine.  To be playing the greatest game on earth, in the greatest spot on earth, in front of the greatest fans on earth, not bad for a simple kid from a simple family.  I don’t mind telling you it brought a tear or two to my eyes.”

Earlier in the day, Medicine Hat announced that forward Pierre St. Pierre was suspended for conduct unbecoming of a professional.  Although the facts are somewhat sketchy, the popular rumor has it that St. Pierre has a foot fetish and was caught in the back room of a shoe store in Medicine Hat.  Also earlier in the day, the Quakes introduced Laura Newman as Vice President of Concessions.  “We will be upgrading the food services department beginning immediately.  I hope to have the new menu in place by the next game,” said Newman at the press conference.

The Quakes will remain at home, taking on the Tacoma Titans at 6:45 PM on Sunday, November 6^th.