Written by: GoldenKuraly
‘Twas the night before Opening Night, when all through Nationwide not a player was stirring, not even in stride; The jerseys were hung in the locker room with care, In hopes that a victory soon would be there; The fans were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of power plays danced in their heads; With Passy in his suit, and Jarmo in his cap, had just settled in for a long season’s nap, When out on the ice there arose such a clatter, They sprang from their slumber to see what was the matter. Away to the glass they flew like a flash, Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the fresh frozen ice Gave the luster of midday to objects so nice, When, what to their wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature Zamboni, and eight tiny players, with a driver, so lively and quick, they knew in a moment it must be Captain Jenner. More rapid than eagles his players came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: “Now, Gaudreau! Now, Laine! Now, Fantilli and Werenski! On, Kuraly! On, Texier! On, Johnson and Marchenko! To the top of the standings! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, so up to the rafters they flew, With the sleigh full of wins, and Captain Jenner too. And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the ice The prancing and pawing of each player’s skate. As they drew in their heads, and were turning around, down the tunnel Merzlikins came with a bound. He was dressed all in pads and a mask; A bundle of pucks he had flung on his back. His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses. And they laughed when they saw him, in spite of themselves; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, blocking the nets; stopping the pucks, then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the tunnel he rose; He sprang to join Boone in the sleigh, to their team they gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But Jarmo heard them exclaim, as they drove out of sight, “Happy Opening night to all, and to all a Blue Jacket night!”
Leave a Reply