Mike Barone drives his short bus to Dulles tomorrow night in what is being dubbed the most highly anticipated matchup this season. The Red Army faces the silver east's number one team in what, again, on paper, has the makings for a blowout. But as aforementioned, these games don't take place on notepads. Rather, this could provide for another stellar game on that dark blue surface.
The only game these teams played this year featured a 9-6 win for Barone and company. The game was close in the second period until the Russians surrendered five unanswered goals. They were able to make the score respectable in the waning moments, but by that time the loss was imminent. How does Mother Russia remedy their previous downfall to the dimwits? Don't let the Short Bus Boys go on a run. Kraus, who can be temperamental at times, needs to keep his cool. Kraus under duress is less effective than Macgruber in the dam control room. On top of that, the defense needs to continue its game plan of sound positioning and crisp passes exiting the zone.
Now, the Short Bus Boys are a completely different team than the Stench in two ways. One, they are more potent offensively. They spread out their offense and have more than a handful of guys capable of denting the twine. While it was easier to find the shooter against the Stench, expect more shots from more shooters tomorrow. The flip side of that is this: their defense puts no where near the amount of pressure on opposing skaters as the Stench did. With Hendricks and Odell having more time with the puck, severe damage can be done as long as they refrain from getting to cute.
Where does that leave us? Well, your guess is as good as mine. If the Red Army plays like the team they have all season, they'll have to be content with just the one playoff victory. But if they play the dedicated passionate brand they introduced to us on Tuesday... they better not be too hungover following this Halloween weekend, there may still be some trick and treating to be done.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cryptic Stench Febreezed
The teams had met earlier in the season. Cryptic Stench had won. The teams had met in the playoffs last season. Cryptic Stench had won. The teams had met in the playoffs the year before that. Cryptic Stench had won. Before the puck was even dropped, many assumed the players would skate like actors, fulfilling their seasonal roles in a play that would send the soviets packing and the Stench further into the playoffs. Well, that script never made it to Russia.
After allowing an early goal, Mother Russia played a nearly flawless game. Hendricks tied the game on a strange play during a delayed high-sticking infraction. The goal was a thing of beauty, as he snapped one past the goalie near side. It was a rarity that the Red Army be on the positive side of a late period goal. The momentum that carried over into the second was palpable. Socialism was awarded a four on two advantage (thanks to two drawn penalties by the "second" line) and cashed in. Odell fired a pass to Hendricks, who then fed Lotocki who was streaking backdoor. The lead was short lived however, as moments later the game would be tied after Hendricks and Odell were caught on a long shift.
What ensued was the flukiest goal of the game, and the eventual game winner. Funk, skating along side Captain Hand, took a shot inside the blue line. The puck ramped up the goaltender's stick and over his shoulders before sliding across the line. The Red Army would not look back. Hendricks tacked on another goal to end the period, capping a great forechecking effort from Odell, Lotocki, and Schram. The Red Army was only fifteen minutes away from an inconceivable round two.
"We knew we were close. One more good period was the mantra on the bench." Odell said after the game. "If there is one thing I learned during my hiking excursion this summer it was to never take your foot off a snake. Don't give it an inch to attack. Sure, that was the longest four days of my life, standing there in Montana, waiting for this rattler to die of starvation. But damn it if I didn't feel great when it passed." Mother Russia heeded outdoorsman Odell's advice, and kept on the offensive, partly due to the Stench's inability to remain out of the box. On another power play (3-4 for the night) Lotocki cranked a one timer from the point that eluded the goalie thanks to an Odell screen. In a 5-2 game, with roughly half of the third period to play, everyone was waiting for the Stench's push. It was deterred thanks to an unwavering second line. Funk, Hand, Horton, and Lynch were relentless in their puck pursuit. The line was a plus 2 for the night, and faced the oppositions top unit. "We had a meeting on the bench about maybe breaking up our line to even out some talent, but the way (Steve and Jerrod) were playing it would have been a crime." Hendricks told reporters after the game. "The gameplan was simple, have their line not surrender any goals and let us take care of the scoring. What a bonus when you get them to net two on their own. I think we had two first lines tonight." Hendricks and Lotocki added the nails in the coffin, each capping off their hat trick performances with late goals, and Mother Russia skated onwards leaving the Stench to exit stage left.
After allowing an early goal, Mother Russia played a nearly flawless game. Hendricks tied the game on a strange play during a delayed high-sticking infraction. The goal was a thing of beauty, as he snapped one past the goalie near side. It was a rarity that the Red Army be on the positive side of a late period goal. The momentum that carried over into the second was palpable. Socialism was awarded a four on two advantage (thanks to two drawn penalties by the "second" line) and cashed in. Odell fired a pass to Hendricks, who then fed Lotocki who was streaking backdoor. The lead was short lived however, as moments later the game would be tied after Hendricks and Odell were caught on a long shift.
What ensued was the flukiest goal of the game, and the eventual game winner. Funk, skating along side Captain Hand, took a shot inside the blue line. The puck ramped up the goaltender's stick and over his shoulders before sliding across the line. The Red Army would not look back. Hendricks tacked on another goal to end the period, capping a great forechecking effort from Odell, Lotocki, and Schram. The Red Army was only fifteen minutes away from an inconceivable round two.
"We knew we were close. One more good period was the mantra on the bench." Odell said after the game. "If there is one thing I learned during my hiking excursion this summer it was to never take your foot off a snake. Don't give it an inch to attack. Sure, that was the longest four days of my life, standing there in Montana, waiting for this rattler to die of starvation. But damn it if I didn't feel great when it passed." Mother Russia heeded outdoorsman Odell's advice, and kept on the offensive, partly due to the Stench's inability to remain out of the box. On another power play (3-4 for the night) Lotocki cranked a one timer from the point that eluded the goalie thanks to an Odell screen. In a 5-2 game, with roughly half of the third period to play, everyone was waiting for the Stench's push. It was deterred thanks to an unwavering second line. Funk, Hand, Horton, and Lynch were relentless in their puck pursuit. The line was a plus 2 for the night, and faced the oppositions top unit. "We had a meeting on the bench about maybe breaking up our line to even out some talent, but the way (Steve and Jerrod) were playing it would have been a crime." Hendricks told reporters after the game. "The gameplan was simple, have their line not surrender any goals and let us take care of the scoring. What a bonus when you get them to net two on their own. I think we had two first lines tonight." Hendricks and Lotocki added the nails in the coffin, each capping off their hat trick performances with late goals, and Mother Russia skated onwards leaving the Stench to exit stage left.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Regular Season Ends, Wishful Thinking Begins
Let's be frank. Past Red Army teams have had stronger rosters, more offensive prowess, and overall better player attendance. Past Red Army teams have had multiple twenty goal scorers, power play efficiency well over 50%, and a stifling defense. Past Red Army teams have all failed. Entering the post season this year is a squad that bears little resemblance to a team primed to make a run. A team devoid of chemistry, endurance, and at times, discipline. But don't write them off.
Mother Russia finished with a modest 4-10 record. Those ten losses are deceiving though. Consider the following...
Loss # 1: Mad Dads 3-2 (overtime)
-A late season rematch featured a 10-0 white wash in favor of the soviets.
Loss # 2: Bear Calvary 9-6
- A three goal game is a close game at Dulles. A few bounces and breaks and that game could have had a different outcome. The season finale was a rematch of these teams and ended in a one goal loss for the Red Army (without Hendricks, and with Andy in net.)
Loss # 3: Cryptic Stench 6-2
- The best goalie in the league filled in for the Stench and shut the door. On top of that, anytime a crowd gathers to watch the Red Army, Hendricks sucks (especially if a certain female watches, intoxicated of not.) More on this in a moment.
Loss #4: Hosers 12-0
- Hosers will not be participating in the silver division playoffs.
Loss # 5: Mapleleafs 12-5
-Mapleleafs will not be participating in the silver division playoffs.
Loss # 6: Renegades 6-4
- A 6-4 loss without Hendricks translates a 10-8 win with Hendricks in my book.
Loss #7: Short Bus Boys 9-6
-The most intriguing loss of the season. Short Bus is a formidable opponent, yet the Army stuck with them for two periods before surrendering a slew of late goals. Keep in mind though, with Jenkins as their goal keeper, they are vulnerable to a 10 goal Hendricks performance.
Loss #8: Multiple Scoregasms 5-4 (overtime)
- A back and forth game that featured great goals and saves. Hendricks missed three golden opportunities in overtime to seal the deal. Don't expect that to happen again.
Loss #9: Stop Staring at My Chest 5-1
- SSAMC is the best silver team. A four goal differential (with the number 1 goalie in the league in game 2 of a double header) is something to be proud of. The only time these teams would meet would be in the championship.
Loss #10: Bear Cavalry 6-5
-A close game with Andy in goal and without Hendricks. Different story next time.
So the point of this all? Save for two games against gold opponents, the games were all close. If the Red Army can have at least 7 people show up for games they have a chance. Granted, and this isn't too put any pressure on the big guns, but Hendricks and Duhaime each have to produce. Secondary scorers like Hand and recently, Tony, will have to chip in as well. The defense has to come together with help from the forwards on backchecking and Kraus has to continue his superb play. A lot of question marks, but we're being frank here, remember?
The first test comes Tuesday vs the Cryptic Stench. Is it me or do these two teams always meet in the post season? On paper the Stench seem to be heavily favored... but when the odds are against Mother Russia, bet on her for magic.
Mother Russia finished with a modest 4-10 record. Those ten losses are deceiving though. Consider the following...
Loss # 1: Mad Dads 3-2 (overtime)
-A late season rematch featured a 10-0 white wash in favor of the soviets.
Loss # 2: Bear Calvary 9-6
- A three goal game is a close game at Dulles. A few bounces and breaks and that game could have had a different outcome. The season finale was a rematch of these teams and ended in a one goal loss for the Red Army (without Hendricks, and with Andy in net.)
Loss # 3: Cryptic Stench 6-2
- The best goalie in the league filled in for the Stench and shut the door. On top of that, anytime a crowd gathers to watch the Red Army, Hendricks sucks (especially if a certain female watches, intoxicated of not.) More on this in a moment.
Loss #4: Hosers 12-0
- Hosers will not be participating in the silver division playoffs.
Loss # 5: Mapleleafs 12-5
-Mapleleafs will not be participating in the silver division playoffs.
Loss # 6: Renegades 6-4
- A 6-4 loss without Hendricks translates a 10-8 win with Hendricks in my book.
Loss #7: Short Bus Boys 9-6
-The most intriguing loss of the season. Short Bus is a formidable opponent, yet the Army stuck with them for two periods before surrendering a slew of late goals. Keep in mind though, with Jenkins as their goal keeper, they are vulnerable to a 10 goal Hendricks performance.
Loss #8: Multiple Scoregasms 5-4 (overtime)
- A back and forth game that featured great goals and saves. Hendricks missed three golden opportunities in overtime to seal the deal. Don't expect that to happen again.
Loss #9: Stop Staring at My Chest 5-1
- SSAMC is the best silver team. A four goal differential (with the number 1 goalie in the league in game 2 of a double header) is something to be proud of. The only time these teams would meet would be in the championship.
Loss #10: Bear Cavalry 6-5
-A close game with Andy in goal and without Hendricks. Different story next time.
So the point of this all? Save for two games against gold opponents, the games were all close. If the Red Army can have at least 7 people show up for games they have a chance. Granted, and this isn't too put any pressure on the big guns, but Hendricks and Duhaime each have to produce. Secondary scorers like Hand and recently, Tony, will have to chip in as well. The defense has to come together with help from the forwards on backchecking and Kraus has to continue his superb play. A lot of question marks, but we're being frank here, remember?
The first test comes Tuesday vs the Cryptic Stench. Is it me or do these two teams always meet in the post season? On paper the Stench seem to be heavily favored... but when the odds are against Mother Russia, bet on her for magic.
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