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When news leaked that the Calgary Dragons we're facing a bit of a budget crisis, reporters reached out to several players, looking for the inside dirt.

"Yes, that's pretty much it," defenseman Eero Makela said to assembled reporters yesterday. "General Manager Kez called me in, complimented me on my navy blue suit, said it brought out my eyes. Then he says, "Eero, you've done great things for us, very steady and reliable. I know you're making a lot of money this year, so what do you think of taking an 80% pay cut next season?"

"I laughed. I thought he was joking," Makela continued. "I knew it was legit when he handed me a piece of paper saying I'd be paid in tortilla chips and nacho cheese. Kez, I said, you need to give me at least double the chips, and 50% more cheese. And don't skimp on the jalapenos!"