Andrew Schram got a call from alternate captain Mark Hendricks about an hour before the game telling him that Matt Kraus would not be able to suit up. Without hesitation, or a cup, Schram replied, "I'll play." With no backups available, Hendricks agreed to let him suit up, completely oblivious to the fact that he had just incited a goaltending controversy.
"(Andrew) Jenkins couldn't play and I couldn't find anyone else." Hendricks said after the game. "Andy had played a few games before and done alright, so I knew if we kept their shots to the outside and let him see the puck we would have a slim chance for a victory. But wow, what he did out there was nothing short of epic."
The game started surprisingly well for the Red Army, as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Substitute player Scott #2, scored back to back breakaway goals to open the scoring. Ryan Odell avenged his earlier disallowed goal by ripping a wrister near side. Andy at the other end fended off shot after shot and swallowed every rebound. He was beaten in the waning moments of the first on a breakaway. Still, even with a late goal against, the Red Army had a 3-1 lead going into the second period.
"We were happy." Odell said. "But we had to keep playing the same way. If we didn't, we were gonna be in deep (trouble). Some serious deep (trouble). By the way, can you print the word (trouble)? I know when I played abroad in Switzerland last season they were real lenient on words they could allow. I was able to call the Geneva Bears' head coach a (phallic object) sucking (non consensual sex artist). Back here in the states you can't get away with anything. (Forget) that."
Despite a barrage of shots and a power play, the Red Army was unable to convert on any of their chances in the second period. Another late goal against set the table for a thrilling third period. The once three goal lead was now only one, and the tide was turning.
The lead lasted all of ten seconds into the third, as the Strangers capitalized on an untimely turnover to start the period. Two minutes later they took the lead. Two minutes after that, they took a two goal lead. The collapse was happening, and happening fast. Still, a two goal lead is not an envious position to be in. It is, after all, the worst lead in hockey. Schram and his metallic friends shut the door and kept Mother Russia in the game. Shot after shot rang off the iron. Each "ping" louder and more euphoric than the last. Pucks flew all around the net, but they could not elude Schram as he swam around in his crease. One slap shot even seemed to sneak five hole on Schram. But before it could cross the line, Schram put his johnson on the line and made a bonerfide save.
"God damnit that one hurt." Schram told reporters afterwards, icing his testicles. "Took one right on the old sackeroo right there."
With six minutes to play the Red Army called a time out, the game still very much in reach.
"We called it to regroup." Tony Horton said. "We had to get back to basics and stop being so frantic. Ryan calmed people down and told the offense to focus on the breakout and generating speed for an odd man rush."
The time out seemed to work, as the Red Army became more organized after the puck dropped. It appeared that Jerrod Funk had cashed in on a two on one break, but video evidence reviewed by the war room in Silver Spring showed a distinct kicking motion. Moments later, he would score a definitive goal. Hendricks took a shot that hit the goalie and bounced straight up in the air. As the puck began its decent back towards the blue surface, Funk waited until it was below the crossbar, and hacked it in.
"Funk yeah!" Funk yelled.
Still, with two minutes to play, Mother Russia needed a tying tally. As the gonads get tough, the tough get gonadsing. And that's exactly what happened. The Red Army pinned the Strangers in their zone for a long time. Shots were being fired from all angles, and Scott Hoefer, retrieving a puck in the corner, turned and fired a low slap pass to Hendricks. The puck tipped Hendricks' stick, a defender's shin pads, and sneaked five hole on the goalie. With 90 seconds left it was a tie game.
"Anytime it's late in the game you can count on me for an assist." Hoefer said. "Seriously, count on it."
Hoefer, by the way, went 293 for 293 on faceoffs.
Schram would be called on to make one more balls to the wall save, as a defensive breakdown allowed a breakaway with five seconds to go. The puck was fired towards the top corner of the net, above Schram's shoulder. The puck struck the shaft of his stick right on the knob, only this time we are talking about hockey equipment. The game went into overtime, where the Red Army had not won in 7 seasons. They wouldn't have to wait much longer. After a few early saves in the extra session, Hendricks and Funk took the puck on a 2 on 2 through center. Hendricks fired a shot that caromed off the back boards and back to the front of the goal. A Stranger defensman, doing his best Samurai impression, committed hockey sudden death suicide, and accidentally fired the puck into his own net. Pandemonium ensued.
The Red Army improved to 1-1 on the young season. Most of the players are about to and drink, including this reporter, so I'll wrap it up briefly with the three stars.
#3: Scott Hoefer
#2: Ryan Odell
#1: Andy Schram
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