Episode 4 begins 5 weeks in the past in the aftermath of the Bulldog’s NOSHO record win. On the bus in the parking lot, Nat (Tasya Teles) delivers a rousing congratulatory speech and unveils the festivities that she and her associates, Ziigwan (Blair Lomaora) and Miigwan (Keilani Elizabeth Rose) have planned for the evening. A spirited compilation of dancing, beer drinking, and dope smoking ensues but stops when Brant ‘Goody’ Goodleaf (Andrew Antsnen) and Pam (Michala Brasseur) return to the bus that is now parked outside a club. With Shoresy (Jared Keeso) passed out in the front and JJ Frankie JJ (Max Bouffard) with Britt (Celeste Ziegler), they soon realize they aren’t alone.

When Shoresy doesn’t bat an eye at Pam’s offer to take out her boobs, it becomes clear he’s out for the evening. This is until Britt suggests giving him some blow. This perks him right up and several seconds later, he’s on center stage in the nightclub, giving a speech demeaning the attendees for turning their backs on the team when they were losers. Although the entirety of the speech at the club isn’t shown, he recants it to teammates in the following scenes.

It doesn’t take Nat long to realize that Shoresy is coked out and with the potential of his antics ruining the night, she suggests giving him something else to take off the edge. Seconds later, the Bulldogs are shown in the back of the bus, chill as cucumbers. The heavy massaging and antics that ensue suggest that Britt has given them ecstasy. After a bit of awkwardness and the removal of their pants, the Bulldogs find themselves back inside the club, dancing while Eva Shaw (Eva Shaw) DJs. This is soon brought to an abrupt end when Fish (Jacob Smith) attempts an awkward dance with the cup trophy and drops it.

Elsewhere in the club, Goody is now shirtless and Shoresy claims he’s never been hotter in his life, although he refuses to remove his jacket. A spirited debate about why they are so hot and how to cool down ensues. Everyone appears to agree when Shoresy suspects that it is their hair that’s making them so hot. This development leads Shoresy and several of the players to the team apartment where they shave a single line down the middle of their heads, thus explaining the haircut they have been wearing all season.

Although the haircuts provide some relief, it isn’t what they expected. This leads to the pool and another compilation of the team diving. They are soon hot again which ultimately leads them to the rink. This along with the cold beers appears to do the trick because the next several scenes unveil how the players wrapped up the evening. Dolo (Jonathan-Ismael Diaby) returns home to Melodie (Amelie McGarrell). Michaels (Ryan McDonell) receives a visit from Mercedes (Eliana Jones. Ted ‘Hitch’ Hitchcock (Terry Ryan) and Goody are also joined by female companions as Shoresy returns to the locker room alone with the cup.

The footage picks up in the present day where the Bulldogs host a webinar for a group of grade school kids. It appears they have arrived at the Q&A section of the event when one of the children asks about their haircuts. As carefully as possible, Shoresy explains it as making a bad decision and living with it. When Nat anxiously ends the session, the topic of discussion becomes the Freezer Twins, Matt (Brad Gallant) and Mike Freisen (Brett Gallant).

The ensuing interviews with Laura Mohr (Camille Sullivan) and Anik (Kim Cloutier) reveal that the Freezer Twins aren’t the most intelligent players but are certainly feared. Despite their fierce reputations, the Barrelmen have already suffered 2 losses, and another to the Bulldog tonight will disqualify them from the Senior Tournament.

Later that evening the fans pile into the area while Shoresy gives Anik a brief pre-game interview. There is a quick question about Frankie being 100% while the rest of the team plays hurt, but Shoresy quickly detracts by insulting the Freezer Twins’ intelligence. Once the game begins, the Freezer Twins prove why they are the most feared hitters in the league. Amidst the perpetual insulting, Shorey finds the time to tell Sanguinet (Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat) to put the Jims (Jon Mirasty/Brandon Nolan/Jordan Nolan) in but he refuses until the Bulldogs take the lead.

Although the first quarter ends with the two teams locked in a stalemate of 0 to 0, Shoresy and Sanguinet are at each other’s throats. This continues for most of the game. Even from the stands, Liam (Keegan Long) and Cory (Bourke Cazabon) pick up on the bickering and capture it on film. The Bulldogs eventually gain the lead at 2 to 0 but Sanguinet still refuses to put the Jims in. This only fuels Shoresy’s rage and leads to him putting himself in. Blinded by his own rage, Sanguinet refuses to take Hitch’s advice of pulling Shoresy because of his injuries. Although Shoresy talks a fierce game, he takes a hit that completely rattles his brain. After a brief blackout, the footage picks up with the team surrounding him in the locker room. He asks if the game is over and Hitch tells him there is still a period to go.

The episode ends with Hitch asking Shoresy if he’s ready to be on TV but he refuses to return to the ice.

 

Shoresy Review

I’ll have to admit that I certainly wasn’t enjoying the episode. All the compilations and the prospect of spending most of the episode in flashback were tiring me out, but this turned out to be probably one of the best episodes yet. It was nice to finally nice to get an explanation for the NOSHO party, Frankie and Laurence’s problems, and the reverse Mohawk haircuts.

Shoresy and Sanguiet’s argument wasn’t initially appealing either, but once I realized it was going to lead to Shorey getting crushed on the ice, I came around. I’m not sure if the series is going to spin it as the hit completely reprogramming Shorey, but that would be an intriguing concept, the fiercest smack talker in the league developing a fear for the ice. I’d give the episode a 6 out of 10.

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