bender [ben-der]  -noun
1. Term used commonly by ice hockey players. Defines a person who is relatively new at skating or possesses very little skating ability. the person most often has very little balance and pronates at the ankles.

Columbus, OH AP-  The streets in Columbus were filled with fans engaging in a Bacchanalian celebration for the outcome of what many are already saying is the most exciting hockey game in recorded history.  The BENDERs Hockey Club took on the The Yoko’s Hockey Club, For the CAHL D South Division Championship on Sunday evening in an epic matchup at Chiller North.  A game that seemingly paced twice as fast as a typical D South game, tensions were high as the BENDERs barely defeated Yoko Hockey, immortalizing themselves in the annals of hockey history and won the CAHL Sunday D South Winter 2010 Championship.

Coming off of a 7-1 routing of the Storm in the Semi-finals, the Yoko’s Hockey Club began the scoring early in the first period when Yokos #11Tonucci  slipped a shot by BENDERs all-star rookie goalkeeper Dan Barnhart.  With the BENDERs still working out the butterflies, Yokos #77 Davis hit the twine again, extending their lead to 2 late in the first.

With the game looking to potentially get out of control, the BENDERs regained their composure in the second period when #66 Brian Debo displayed excellent discipline and positioning, chipping in a rebound off of #14 Bryan Rood and #13 Jeff Cashman.  With a lot of back and forth play in the neutral zone throughout the remainder of the period, things heated up and the game became very physical, as #19 Alan Armstrong laid a vicious hit on teammate, #9 Curt Weatherbee.  Late in the second, Brian Rood hit the top shelf from low in the crease with one for the highlight reel off of #66 Debo.

With things tied up going into the third, tensions rose as Yokos #2 Thorne and BENDERs defensemen #12 Neil Hickey tussled in the crease.  With a swapping—and even some throwing—of sticks, the officials let the boys play and sort things out amongst themselves.  The physicality continued as BENDERs defender #10 Joe Fischer “the Fish” received a 2-minute minor, having actually checked an opponent into the boards from a prone position.  Despite many shots on goal from both clubs, the score remained even with the clock going into the closing minutes of the matchup.  With 1:45 remaining in the game, #10 Fischer found himself in the penalty box again, taking a 2-minute minor for elbowing.  Forced to finish regulation time with a man disadvantage, the BENDERs maintained excellent discipline, repelling repeated chances by the Yokos.  Looking to send the game into overtime, the BENDERs penalty killing unit cleared the puck from the defensive zone in the waning seconds of the game.  With the poor pass of the puck from a Yoko’s Defenseman that ended up on the stick of BENDERs Center #20 Royce Reeser who broke out gaining a step behind the Yoko’s defense, despite the hooking and tripping attempts the stalwart Reeser was able to maneuvering the puck past the Yoko’s netminder for the go-ahead goal at the buzzer.