Celenski g' Pounded

The gap between first and second place grew slimmer last night after the final horn sounded, ending an impressive offensive onslaught by Mother Russia. Twelve goals were scored on the division leaders, which is four more than any other squad had mustered on them until last night. What makes the feat so remarkable was that those 12 goals were scored by a Red Army roster consisting of only six players. That is right, one goalie (with a pulled groin) and five skaters.

In warm-ups the teams looked like polar opposites. The Red Army shot into an empty net, debating when to call time out in an attempt to buy time for their goalie to dress. Across the blue, the Celenski g'Poudners were running Montreal drills and talking strategy. The Pounders' pucks were seen ringing off posts and involved in crisp tape to tape passes. The Red Army's puck was involved in a game of keep away, featuring Schram and the Hendricks brothers. In the end, when the game finally started, the Pounders' drills and pep talks proved to futile to Mother Russia's talent.

A puck possession clinic was put on by the Army. They played an east to west style which opened up the neutral zone for stretch passes. Hendricks and Wilson lead the team in scoring, combining for all 12 goals (7 and 5 respectively). The goals were scored however long before the puck crossed the goal line. Fielding only five skaters, most would have thought it would be the Russians breathing heavy between shifts. In reality, it was the Pounders that sought oxygen. They spent most of the game chasing the puck as Red Army entertained them in a game of four corners. When the seas finally parted, the defense would fire up a breakaway pass to Wilson or Hendricks, who were both absolute money.

The goal of the game was credited to Wilson. He dangled past two defenders before curling and dragging by another only to slide his stick between his legs and fire a shot top shelf on the helpless goaltender. "He was a gongshow." An elated Wilson said later about the keeper.

Kraus, who suited up despite playing with a pulled groin, made saves when called upon. The score would have not been as close had the Red Army skaters chosen to play defense the last four minutes, a time span that allowed the Pounders to make the game all but respectable. Asked why he didn't backcheck in the last 90 seconds, Mark Hendricks provided this gem, "All I know is, I don't care what stage of the game it is or what's the score... I want to score. If Kraus had made the save I would have expected him to fire me a pass so I could net number 8. I'm aiming for a career high in goals."

For those of you keeping track at home, Mark now has 11 goals in his last two games. If he were to keep up that pace for a full 14 game season he would score... mad bitches.

ECON MEETING: MORE UPDATES LATER...MAYBE