The stage was set for a blowout. The last meeting of the two teams ended in a 18-4 trouncing in favor of the Blue and White. Not much had changed in the standings since then. The Leafs mounted on victories while the Red Sweatered boys continued the tailspin. Embarrassment seemed inevitable, and why not? A shaky last place team with zero victories hosting a first place team on a tear is likely to draw as many viewers as the season finale of "Gilmore Girls". But as the puck was dropped and play picked up, the one consistency of Mother Russia's trying year came to the forefront: a comeback was never out of the question.
The Leafs struck first, and second... and fourth, fifth, and sixth. The lone Russian tally came from rookie Andy Schram who jammed home a rebound following an offensive zone faceoff. His second goal in as many games breathed life into the lungs of his comrades, albeit for a few moments. Mark Hendricks was able to notch one shortly after a Leaf goal, collecting a pass from brother Peter and firing a low shot glove side. Moments later as the period came to a close, Mark had another chance to score when the opposing goalie was forced to play the puck after covering it outside of his crease. Mark, unable to maintain his balance collided with teammate Chris Duhaime (whose cousin Eric made his season debut. Eric was named to the all-star team following the game) and fired the puck wide of the net. The second period featured another early goal by the Maple Leafs, increasing their advantage to four. It would be their last goal of the stanza. The Red Army was just beginning. Schram again chipped in with the scoring, feeding Eric Duhaime who fired the puck high over the glove to bring the Red Army within three. Seconds later, on a delayed penalty call, Mark battled along the boards with two leafs and found Peter in the slot, who fired a dandy of a wrister that hit three posts before finding the back of the twine. With just over two minutes to go in the period, Chris Duhaime found the back of the net on a long rebound. Sensing total collapse, the Maple Leafs began picking up their physical play. Perhaps a bit too much, before long the Red Army was on the power play, a unit that has proven to be lethal. But it was to no avail, no more than halfway into the infraction Mark and a Maple Leaf were called for roughing. A marginal call, as the replay shows Mark waving his arms for the call deliberately not retaliating. The extra man went to waste and Mark went to the box. The horn sounded, fifteen minutes were put on the clock, and the puck was dropped.
They had chances. They had breakaways, two on ones, and a three on one. But that sixth goal would come too late. After back and forth action for over eight minutes, the Maple Leafs struck five times in five minutes. Again the Red Army would do as it always does, and battle back. Chris netted another goal on a pretty give and go with Mark and Mark himself tallied as time expired on a broken down play. The final score was 11-7. The bad blood still boils and it appears very likely that a first round matchup is at hand. Could the Red Army pull off the upset? Not likely, but after tonight no one can say that they wouldn't have a chance. In fact, Mother Russia was without its starting goalie Alex and top D-man Jerrod. Could those two account for four less goals for the Maple Leafs? There is some sour news to report on the injury front tonight to. Leading goal scorer Mark Hendricks reaggravated a knee injury on the play late in the first where he collided with teammate Chris and the opposing goaltender. Mark was seen limping around his house with nachos and salsa after the game.
Some quotes from last night's game:
"Yeah I would have hit him back if I knew I was already going for roughing. I mean he was wearing a Hartford Whalers jersey... he was begging for a bruising. He'll probably laugh about it and say he kicked my ass before he goes and gobbles down six miles of cock tonight."
- The vocal Mark Hendricks from the penalty box on his penalty and extra curricular activities that ensued.
"Maple Leafs? Maples Leafs? Isn't the plural of leafs, leaves? Idiots...."
-Steve Hand before the game.
"Go get the puck!"
-Matt Kraus, backup goaltender notorious for firing the puck down the rink after being scored on.
"Two goals in two games... that's gotta be a record!"
-Andy Schram after the game about his recent surge in scoring. The rookie record is goals in 198,387 straight games set by teammate Bryan Lynch who played in a season over in Fiji, where nets are as big as soccer nets and the season is one million games long.
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