Twitch, Twitch

Fitzsimmons remembers being buttonholed by a Society member while still an undergraduate. "He had a nervous twitch, and he said to me, 'So you think it's tough being Harvard's goalie, eh?' The guy's a very successful businessman, but he had fire in his eyes. He said, 'Just wait until you get out into the real world'--twitch, twitch--'then you'll see how tough life really is!' I cracked up laughing, and figured if this is what happened to old goaltenders, then I didn't want any part of the Society," says Fitzsimmons.

But now, of course, he thinks it's a great idea; and the group, complete with its own Society tie (a goalie stick embossed on a zero, representing the ultimate goalie experience--a shutout--gathers to discuss the glories of yesteryear. Fitzsimmons says that the Society's main by-law is that "goalies never make mistakes."

As time blurs reality, the Society remembers each goal against as a "perfect shot" by the opponent, not as a miscue. Claims of "I was screened," or "My defenseman backed into me," or "the forwards weren't back-checking" echo through the meeting hall.

Accusations

"Goalies are too responsible to blame others in public or the press for their goals-against," says Bertagna. But within the cozy confines of the Society, it's open season, a time for fibs and tall tales. Above all, the contingent of shell-shocked ex-twineskeepers pat each other on the back. Says Fitzsimmons: "Everyone's a hero in the annals of the Society."