Season 3 opens with Nat (Tasya Teles) looking back on the Bulldog’s undefeated season. Once she ominously claims that the playoffs didn’t go so well, the footage cuts to a sad montage showing the Bulldogs taking a knee while their opponents celebrate. It’s not long before the footage cuts again to Shoresy (Jared Keeso) moping in the locker room while the rest of the team looks on glumly. It is Sanguinet (Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat) who breaks the silence by shining light on everything the team overcame despite the loss and awards Shorsey the game sticks. This doesn’t improve his mood and the more Sanguinet pushes, the worse Shoresy becomes until he storms off.
With Shorsey absent from the locker room, it doesn’t take long before Dolo (Jonathan-Ismael Diaby) suggests drinking the night away. When one of the Jim’s (Jordan Nolan) asks how drunk, Michaels (Ryan McDonell) very carefully mentions NOSHO record party drunk. Sanguinet advises against it by saying they should probably never get that drunk again.
The mood in Nat’s office isn’t any better and it is Miigwan (Keilani Elizabeth Rose) who eventually breaks the silence by suggesting Nat go say something to the team. When Nat finally decides to speak, it is about the irony of them hosting and playing in the National Senior Tournament. Ziigwan (Blair Lamora) agrees that their attendance in the tournament now looks like a gift because they are hosting it. Despite that, Miigwan does her best to keep spirits high by pointing out how far they’ve come since the first season. After a bit of back and forth, Nat suggests getting the team drunk but appears to agree with Sanguinet’s earlier statement about never getting NOSHO record party drunk.
As Shorsey continues to mope in the locker room alone, Dolo, Ted Hitchcock (Terry Ryan), and Brant ‘Goody’ Goodleaf (Andrew Antsanen) make their way to the bar. Shortly the Bulldogs can’t even drink and mope in peace thanks to the raucous Soo players who not only show up with the tournament cup but insults. Nat and her assistants watch helplessly nearby as the Bulldogs can’t even find the courage to defend themselves.
The following day, Sanguinet continues to fail to get Shorsey hyped for the upcoming tournament. Shorsey appears to share Nat’s opinion and can’t get over how the tournament only makes them look like they are being gifted a spot because they are the host team. Shoresy’s incessant moping eventually leads to Sanguinet storming off and a ‘walking competition’ to prove who amongst the team is the most injured.
Before the walking competition gets underway, Shoresy makes sure to remind everyone that one of his legs is nearly 2 inches shorter than the other. As the competition gets underway, Nat and her assistants not only have the same debate but learn about their competition for the upcoming tournament. The Brooks Barrelmen are not only hockey players but spend their offseason wrangling steers and riding broncos. Their most notorious players are the ‘Freezer Twins,’ who are named such because of their sturdy builds. Next up are the Charlottetown Reds, who might not be as physically intimidating but are just as rugged due to spending most of their time as commercial fishermen. Despite having their own encyclopedia of insults, they are regarded are some of the nicest players around. Their most notable player is ‘Gorgeous’ George Gallant (Nick Laporte) who can apparently play just as good as he looks.
Sanguinet returns to the apartment just as Goody steps up to strut his stuff. Both Dolo and Shoresy have been deemed as needing 4 to 6 weeks of recovery. Although he’s in a sling, Goody appears to be in the best shape. It doesn’t take Shoresy long to get back to his moping which leads to Sanguinet storming off again.
As Anik Archambault (Kim Cloutier) presents the first ‘Questionable Call’ segment of the season, she also informs viewers that the show has been granted official broadcast rights for the National Senior Hockey Tournament. Anik and the panelists (Jay Onrait/RA (Brian McGonagle)/Tessa Bonhomme) break down the other entrants, starting with Ontario’s own, Rapides de Rawdon/The Rapids. The Rapids not only have some of the fiercest players, including Pierre-Luc Leblond, Danick Paquette, and Steve Bosse, but the team is owned by multi-platinum artist, Marie Mae, who also used to date JJ Frankie JJ (Max Bouffard). Along with the Sudbury Bulldogs, the Soo Hunt, and Vaughan Canadesi are the last entrants. The Canadiens are all hard, fast, emotional Italian players but it is number 98, Marco ‘Sly’ Sylvestri (Brad Bonello) who is the team’s most notable player. Although Sly doesn’t have an imposing physique or isn’t even noted as one of the meanest players around, he is the dirtiest.
In spite of his mopey mood, Shoresy doesn’t appear to be short of mama insults as he resumes his role as a volunteer referee in Canada’s minor league hockey. While he argues back and forth with rivals, Cory (Bourke Cazabon) and Liam (Keegan Long), the tournaments make their way to Sudbury.
Sanguinet calls a Captain’s meeting at the Towne House Tavern to address the team losing their identity as hockey players. Hitchcock is the first to come to the team’s defense, claiming injuries are dragging them down. This sends Sanduinet into a tirade about not making excuses and for the first time, Shoresy appears to be silently stunned. As Sanguinet continues with his attempts to inspire them, the Soo Hunt players return, with even fiercer insults than last time. Much to everyone’s surprise Shoresy fires back with his own brand of insults, which fires up the rest of the Bulldogs.
Shoresy Review
Not a bad way to begin the season at all. It is hard to beat a good redemption story and it appears that’s exactly what the season is going to be about. Well, to be fair, the entire series thus far has been one big redemption story. I enjoyed the way the tournament teams and their MVPs were trickled in throughout the episode. As usual, some of the comedy felt forced and a bit over the top, and the whole ‘walking competition’ was a waste of time. That said, I did enjoy the episode and would have to give it a 5 out of 10.
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