A work in progress
Guppies aim for more Championships, not dynasty label
By Mark Brookes

---

Few on the Killingworth Guppies wants to throw around the term "dynasty" in the days before the franchise attempts to capture its fifth  championship in the past eight years.

Such practiced humility, a trademark of this generation of Guppies, was not behind the conservatism of defining the team's place in the pantheon of the Sport's great teams, however. Rather, the Guppies believe they are still in the process of shaping how they will be viewed through the prism of passing time.

In essence, the Guppies believe they are not yet finished fashioning their decade-long resume, which received another highlight with the win last wednesday night against the Biohazard in the semi-Finals.

That victory gave the franchise a chance to capture its third Z-rink Championship, adding to the championship banners collected with 2002's triumph against the Sidewinders and the 2002-2003 title garnered with a victory against the Road Dogs.

Many in the proud Killingworth organization believe the franchise can approach the NHL's  Edmonton Oilers run of success before the present nucleus begins hanging up the skates for good.

Joseph Linskey: "Ten years, 20 years down the road, people will look back on what we have accomplished and they will say who cares".

Goaltender Joe Linskey, the linchpin of each of Killingworth's  four championship triumphs, resolutely believes his team has more to offer in the title department. Consequently, he puts little merit in the attempts of others to categorize his team as one for the age just yet.

"Well, what I said before on that subject, I think it's important to know that it's not over for us and we are going to try to build on this," Linskey said. "I think that we have a great bunch of guys, we have a great organization.

With the retirement of Patrick Roy, Linskey Is considered by most to be the game's best goaltender -- especially in big-game situations. Just 27, Linskey is now reaching the pinnacle of his personal game, yet he already has four Championships and a strong College career to attest to his greatness.

This postseason, he again showed anyone paying attention that his biggest moments come in the clutch.

On most nights, defenseman Rob Murphy is the best player on the ice.

But, as much as Killingworth's performance in the Spring 2003 Playoffs highlights Linskey's worth to the club, it also showed that this team is far from a one-man show.

Seemingly every shift, Killingworth received a huge performance from a different player.

Defenseman Robert Murphy, also present for all four Championship triumphs,  leads the team this season with 35 points, including a leading 16 goals. On most nights, he is the best player on the ice.

Rookie forward Tim Poulin, obtained this season, also has 26 points. His 15 goals are near the top in the Killingworth locker room.

Captain Brian Kelly once again looks to lead the Gupps in all the ways a leader should.

Captain Brian Kelly once again leads in all the ways a leader should. His open-ice tuscle with the Biohazards leading scorer in the Semi-final  helped set the tone for a dominating 9-4 victory. At 29, Kelly likely has a few more years to contribute, especially if his team is in the hunt for more rings to add to his fingers.

Forward Jason Zito, already a veteran of two Championships, has become the star forward that has driven all of Killingworth's success since 2001's run to Waterbury B-2 Semi-Finals. Zito, is among the most skilled forwards in the game today.

In fact, Killingworth's depth goes so far that players like Marc Crayton, Brian Mulcahy, and Tom Mierkiewicz are often seen as star players that will trade in personal numbers for Championship rings. Crayton has found himself playing neta few games this season, despite being a leading scorer for most of the season.

Mulcahy has seen his offensive partner change more often than he changes his own underwear. Yet he still produces and is a major part of the Guppies success this season.

While Mierk has played both forward and defense this season and remains a major physical force. It was Mierkiewicz that plastered the Biohazards team leader into the boards soon after said player slashed Murphy during a breakaway and then hit Kelly with a elbow to the face. "Mierk a guy that strikes fear into guys" stated Mulcahy 

Veteran defenseman John Carrol and verteran forward David Armenia have seen it all since joining the parent club in 1995 and 1996 respectively. What most impresses them about the team,  is the way the Guppies continues to reload -- and reshape -- the team to be among the sport's best teams on an annual basis.

Extremely proud of what both they and his team have accomplished in the last 8 years, The remaining "team old guys" members grin each time outsiders try to shortchange what this franchise has accomplished in the last decade.

They know despite all the banners that hang in Killingworth, many hockey people are hesitant to give this team its deserved due. 

Veteran defenseman John Carroll: "Four Championships in eight years is something special".

Still, Carroll knows his team deserves more accolades than it has received.

"Well,four Championships in eight years is something special," saysCarroll, "but five sounds a lot better!"

Despite the score after the Guppies championship game vs the GCP wednesday night the tradition of winning will remain for the franchise. The desire to add to an already convincing legacy will spur this team to chase even greater glories.

Until then -- Many Killingworth residence will be glued to their TV's Wednesday night, or they might be at a friends house attending a Guppies Championship party,  or perhaps, they will be watching the game from the Gupps practice facility on the big screen either way it should be a great game.  

The Guppies, with their play, will determine exactly what happens.

Additional viewing venues:

Killingworth Cirlce Store, Killingworth Firehouse, HK High School Gym,  The Copper Skillet, June's Bar and Grill, The Killingworth Inn, Killingworth Elementary School, and Elmers Bar in New Britain, CT.

The Killingworth Guppies
A division of Killingworth Guppies Sports Net
and K-Town Sports Entertainment-  www.killingworth-guppies.com