Pier 21: The Boat Gang

[LucyXpher 1,571]

Halifax circa 1930s (above)

In the second game of the S96 VHLM season, rookie centerman Pelayo Bolivar scored his first career goal against the Philadelphia Reapers.  As anyone would expect, the milestone puck was collected from the back of the net and returned to the bench where an equipment manager pocketed it-- presumably for safe keeping so it could be returned as a memento to Bolivar after the game.  Mysteriously, the puck disappeared.  Outraged, the team began seeking it out internally at first, checking with equipment staff to see if it had been misplaced.  With no luck, the team turned to agents and others around the team to see if they could track down the apparently pilfered puck.  Sure enough, within hours the puck was found on eBay by Petr Novak's player agent who purchased the puck for $200 so that it could be returned to the Halifax 21st Museum.  The agent allegedly engaged in a bidding war with an unknown collector from Vegas who also had their sights set on acquiring the piece of Halifax history, though Novak's agent managed to snipe the puck before the auction closed.  I guess it sounds like everything worked out in the end, no worries!  

 

Learning about what had happened, however, the players and management were understandably livid that someone would be so brazen as to steal from under their noses and that's when the Boat Gang likely took matters into their own hands.  While the Halifax 21st may still be an upstart team with room to grow on the ice, they're led by some rather intimidating characters.  This is not the BOAT GANG of seasons past.  Nowadays, the Boat Gang, while markedly more subtle in approach, is more ruthless in carrying out justice against their opponents.  There's some speculation that the Gang's culture shift began under the new management of Lexie Leitner in S93, the same season that Tommy Shelby came through Halifax.  This more cunning and measured iteration of the Boat Gang won't lead with obnoxious taglines and chants that you can hear a mile away.  Those who disrespect the Gang are dealt with quickly and decisively.

 

  

Tommy Shelby (above) @Will

 

Boasting the VHLM's biggest goon on the ice, Boris Bone-Breaker, whose birth name is perhaps even more intimidating than his nicknames, the 21st have muscle that can carry out the will of the team when push comes to shove.  Known as Bone-Breaker to the hockey world, Boris also bears the epithets The Dentist or The Tooth Fairy after his penchant for extracting the teeth of his opposition either with a hockey stick or some other brutal implement.  His right hand man, of course, is Novocaine, Petr Novak.  Known more for his subtle work, Novak neutralizes opponents silently, numbing them into a false sense of security before delivering them to the Dentist for the ultimate punishment.  It's cold and calculated work.  And Bolivar, for his part, has come to be known as "El Sidrero".  On the ice he's become one of the team's top set up men, dishing apples left and right.  Off the ice, Bolivar hails from a part of Spain known for their cider making.  What set ups or cider he might be cooking behind closed doors in Halifax is still a mystery, but the Boat Gang remains very tight-lipped about their off-ice endeavors.  

 

It must be said, however, that the equipment manager who first pocketed the Bolivar milestone puck has not been seen since the eBay sale took place.  Some speculate he took his $200 spoil and rode off into the sunset, afraid of any backlash from the Gang.  But we all know better than that.  More than likely the thief was taken down to the docks to be... disposed of.  Interestingly enough, Novak has connections to a waste management company in Czechia.  It's possible he's in the business of ethical waste disposal for environmental purposes, or maybe those Czech ships in the Halifax harbor are carrying more than household garbage.  

 

At face value, it's a happy ending.  The puck was recovered and has since been signed by Bolivar and remains in the Halifax 21st Museum.  Uncovering the murky underbelly of the modern Boat Gang, however, is another thing entirely and extreme caution should be taken by anyone digging into the matter.

 

Graphic by @SMYLS4

 

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Lauren Lambert for Halfaxa Press

10/19/2024

700+ words

Spoiler

@RileyL @LastGoon007 @SMYLS4

 

 

Edited October 20 by LucyXpher