Mardi Gras: February 3rd and 4th 2008. Grey Duck Finish: 2nd Place.

Ah Mardi Gras, a time for the Duck to emerge from its winter shell and testout what it has learned from grueling hours in the gym, on the track, andinside a basketball court.

It was a weekend of magic numbers.

For most of us: 20 as in 20 hours to Baton Rouge through ice, 20 hours backto Minneapolis through fog, rain, sleet, and snow.

For our greediest teammates: 2, as in 2 plates of food at the tournament party.

For the O-line: 3, and in the O repeatedly getting scored on 3 times in arow.

And perhaps most impressively, for Young Jake Humphrey (aka Young Jeezy akaHubes): 42 + a bonus, as in Mardi Gras is likely a tournament he will never forget.

In terms of the Ultimate played by Grey Duck, it was a pretty stellar weekend.

Game 1: Notre Dame. Duck win 10-9.

This game was very clearly the first competitive Ultimate in a while forboth teams. Minnesota showed that it had not played outside in quite awhile, dropping easy throws and making hard throws to catch. Luckily, ND seemed just as eager to give up the disc as Minnesota. After trading points for the majority of the first half, the D manages to get a break via an upthe line cut from Andy Labonte. With that confidence going into the second half, Grey Duck plays more steadily, earning O points with solid cutting from Jeff Anderson and Michael Arenson and getting breaks when needed from everyone an all around tenacious D line. The game was not as close as the score might make it seem.

Game 2: Georgia Tech. Duck win 11-10.

Grey Duck started this game out on O and something was clearly amiss. Minnesota immediately gives up 3 scores due to an lasered break-throw, a dropped pull, and a drop, prompting spectating members of Notre Dame to ask if the team had maybe hit the jamabalaya a little too early. It was at this point that D-line handlers Rags Narog, Nascar, and Justin Gilbert marched onto the field to pull the team out of a tight spot, which they did consistently all weekend. Add these steady hands to an incredibly sick set of downfield defenders like Chuck Hippman, Austin Juds, Donk (real nameunknown), and a never ending swarm of others and Duck comes into half downone score and back in the game. With their heads on straight and wanting it badly, Grey Duck gets two more breaks and is receiving, tied 10-10, universepoint. After a couple of turns by both sides due to questionable throwing decisions, the O-line gets some redemption as Tallis "Tall Boy" Boyd saves the game with a CLUTCH diving catch and a lay out grab by "Kansas" KevinTerry on a Michael Arenson throw ends it.  Minnesota shows some grit and squeaks this one out.

Game 3: Wisconsin-B. Duck win 15-3.

It's always fun to stomp a B team, and this game was no exception the MGD. Coming out of the gate fast, Minnesota took control of this one, and thePimpdags largely went along for the ride. This allowed UMN to rotate deep into the roster with John "Rubes" Ruben and "Commando Dan" Hoff as well as a host of other faces getting involved and not missing a beat as they rolled Wisco-B to a 14-3 lead. The game ended on a rookie-line point, with Carl "Master Pea" Peasley getting airborne and pimping a couple of pimpdags on D followed a goal line to take this game on a decisive note with an opportunity to rest up and prepare for the next game against North Texas.

Game 4: University of North Texas. Duck loss 10-12.

This was a tough game for the Duck, as the team came out a little less than fired up after an easier game, trading with UNT early. The team was also dealt a huge blow as North Texas employed  some tactical reckless play, dealing Mikey Arenson an injury that would keep him sidelined for the rest of the tournament (special thanks to a young woman named Dani, who helped keep Mike focused on supporting his team despite his ailing ankle). GreyDuck hung tough with UNT through most of the rest of the game, highlighted by some stellar D's by Russ "Love Muscle" Taylor. However, some poor execution on O and a failure to convert on D allowed UNT to take the game by a couple.With this, MGD refueled with some generic Chinese buffet and some unlawful burritos and retired to the Motel 6 with some opting to explore the south'scultural oddities and some crotchety old veterans choosing to do homework, watch tv, or keep Chuck company (very exciting).

Game 5: Prequarters versus Ole Miss. Duck win 15-5ish.

Feeling rejuvinated and confused about which field the team would occupy, MGD takes another game handily. KK gets Minnesota's first Callahan of the season in an odd, yet unspectacular turn of events involving a poor throwing choice and the world's worst "greatest". This game had a feel similar to the Pimpdag game, with younger players learning how it feels to dominate. TheOle Miss victory did provide some sweet insight into MN's future, heralding in Stephan "my brother played for KU and my last name is none of yourbusiness", who just OWNED the day throwing it deep, D'ing whomever he felt like, and, most importantly, strutting like he could grow facial hair. Add in some unexpected hucks by Rubes, some money cutting by Hubes, and you've got some really good potential for rhyming in your write-ups.

Game 6: Quarters versus Winona State. Duck win 15-12.

Grey Duck against The Experience is always fun to watch, with both teams familiar, friendly, and tenacious. Winona starts the game catching the Duck off gaurd and earning a couple of breaks. For the first 5 points or so, thegame does not look like it's going to end well with MGD being sent homeearly at the hands of a sectional opponent. Just then, Justin "J-Bert" Gilbert launches his best pool deep into the endzone and one throw later, Sean "Rags" Narog is holding the disc in the endzone. Momentum: back to theDuck. Minnesota fights its way back into this one with composed O from handlers Marcus "Steak and Shake" Ellson and Chris Demet, and some smart D adjustments, finishing up with a win and another shot at North Texas.

Game 7: Semi-finals versus University of North Texas. Duck win 15-5.

The pregame huddle for this game was filled with Duck players sitting, bentover, and trying to get enough fluid and carbs to play out one more game.Charlie "Crez" Reznikoff and Chris "CY" York gave rousing talks to the team about how this game represented what the team should expect from now on, to be tired and the end of Sunday but to give it everything in Sems and Finals. A weary Duck takes the field knowing UNT's style and smart match-ups, after trading a couple of points, the team figures it out...UNT is just as, if not more tired than Grey Duck! Knowing this and wanting revenge is all it takes for MGD to start to grind. As Chris "Buddy" Demet noted, "Seeing their bestplayers laying down after points gives me, like, triple energy".  The O would not get broken this game for the first time all tournament in large part thanks to Calvin "He doesn't say much" Tam OWNING defenders downfield,playing with a relentless "I can haz disc now pleez??" attitude. D playerslike Stephan, Russ, Donk, and John Ruben, were unstoppable. Minnesota rolls to its first Finals appearance at Mardi Gras to play the defending national champion Hodags.

Game 8: Finals versus Wisconsin. Duck loss 4-15.

This game showed a Duck team that was: a little tired, a little surprised,and a little overwhelmed. These qualities let Madison come out with a big lead, starting the game on a 5-0 run. By the time the Duck was again afloat,it was already a little too late. Nonetheless, there were a couple of indications of good things to come in this game. the first of which being awesome defense played by both the O and D players. The Hodags were visibly frustrated numerous occassions and chose to jack the disc into the endzone,where MGD got the D multiple times. Second, a couple of nice posterizations by Marc "Donk" and Buddy (of all people). Finally, Minnesota's rookiesplayed like they had never heard of Wisconsin, something the whole team could have benefitted from. Dan "Hoss" Hoff was unbreakable. He got riddento the ground in a full-nelson at one point, got up, and threw a completion.John Ruben made catches, played D, and was generally ice cold. Austin "He'sjust a baby" Judd went toe-to-toe with Shane Hohenstein, and came out aheadin a split decision, playing sick D and taking Shane all over the field. In the end, Grey Duck lost the game, but learned some lessons.

After finals, the team learned that bitterness is not so bitter when you get cake for being the runner up. It was delicious cake. Grey Duck headed back north into the cold for more quailty time with the rubber, the iron, and the court. Because of this, know that the next time you see them, they'll be smarter, faster, and more muscular (except Hoff, that kid refuses to put onany weight).