(Pic is from
Conquer your being)
The Rupert brothers take souls.
An over exaggeration perhaps but when you looked in the eyes of Jonathan Hubereau at the end of the second 2012 Mem Cup game, after a Rupert had goaded him into a double minor, there was no doubt about who had won the psychological battle. Its only one game but the Ruperts are more than Sparta . . . they are the embodiment of Heath Ledger's greatest performance.
As I've mentioned before, the London Knights--any of the editions that have come about under the Hunter Bros. reign of excellence--have seen Saint John's tough guy tactics before. For the life of me, I have no idea why London's opposition continually think that they are going run the Knights out of the rink. I guess the machismo of the hockey establishment only has so many options in the playbook. Truth is though, as big and strong as London's opposition has been during this year's playoffs (see Saginaw, Kitchener, and Niagara) and historically during the Hunter's era, you're playing right into London's hands when players start running around and looking to make the definitive big hit. With the skill that the Knights have been able to coax to and nurture in the Forest City, the menacing and thunderous hits against London routinely prove a pointless and vapid response to the Hunter team-game.
Even with London's power play misfiring and the edge in maturity apparently against them, the Knights have simply proven their willingness, year after year, to take the hits, take the shots, and rebound from adversity as it reveals itself. This resilience is a Hunter trait; it's what gives them a chance to win every game they play. With Gerry Gallant going nuts and his stud leadership utterly baffled by the fact that the Knights contested every pass, shot, and confrontation, the Knights simply endure--as Michael Caine's Wilfred character encouraged his Batman. All the while, there are the Ruperts, more akin to Heath Ledger's Joker; tauntingly mocking the Sea Dogs, ". . . [Y]ou have nothing, nothing to threaten me with. Nothing to do with all your strength."
Make no doubt about it, the Ruperts and their London Knights take souls.
