NLL Insider

‘Twas the night before an NLL Christmas and all through the Arena,

Not a creature was stirring, not even Pat Maddalena;

The Marc Mesh was hung by the goal posts with care,

In hopes that the Jim Jennings soon would be there;

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,

With visions of Champions Cups dancing in their heads;

With Bysy in his kerchief and Angela in her cap,

The league was still shivering from a cold winter snap!

When out in the box there arose such a clatter,

Adam sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the press box he flew like a flash

Clicked on cameras and mics to film what caused that crash.

With the scoreboard glowing on the freshly laid turf,

He saw movement below and thought ‘what on this earth?’

And what to his wondrous eyes did appear,

But eight pro lax guys – all in their gear!

And a little old fella so lively and cunning…

He knew in a moment it must be St. Jennings.

More rapid than Knighthawks, his players they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

“Now, Dawson! Now, Powell! Now, JT and Evy!

On Doyle! On Manning! On Prouter and Nucci!

To the top of the glass! To the top the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As loose balls off swift sticks fly

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up on the arena top the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of trophies and St Jennings too.

And then, on the roof, he heard a few clicks,

And recognized it as grappling lacrosse sticks!

He went back to his bed, listening to the sound,

When down the chimney St Jennings came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his toe,

“This time of year is cold in New York, you know!”

A bundle of trophies he had flung on his back,

It must have been heavy ‘cause, wow, his back cracked!

His eyes- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cheery!

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of Jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

Bysy laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself.

“I may look all jolly to plenty of fools,

But remember dear Bysy, I still make the rules!”

After speaking those words he went straight to his work,

And filled all the Marc Mesh, adding, “But I’m not a jerk”.

“Trophies and awards bring laughter and tears,

But our lax family deserves them year after year.”

And then he smiled after unloading his sack,

“It’s empty for now, but next year I’ll be back”

Laying his finger aside of his nose

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, gave his boys a high five,

And away they all flew, all alert and alive!!

I heard him exclaim, as they faded from sight,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Jenner is a two-time Mann Cup champion with six years of NLL experience. Email him at ted.jenner@nllinsider.com also follow the Coquitlam Jr. A Adanacs and the Intermediate A Adanacs live, as Teddy brings you color commentary with Brad Challoner for the Jr's and play by play with Brody Allen for the Intermediates -- http://www.junioradanacs.com/multimedia.php

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