Red Army Opens Season With a Win

The Red Army out skated, out hustled, outworked, and out shot the Jeff Schultz Experience tonight. Yes, Mother Russia was dominant in nearly every facet of the game, but a hot goalie kept the JSE in the game and barely allowed the Soviets to eke out a win to start the season. I have to be quick tonight, but here are some post game notes.

• I'll take goals from Mark Hendricks, Pat King, Tony Horton, and Steve Hand every night. If all four of them score every night, I like the chances of winning night in and night out.
• Speaking of goals, Hand's falling down roofer was a thing of beauty. Talk about putting one top shelf where momma hides the banana daiquiri mix.
• Continuing with goals, who guessed Tony Horton would get the GWG tonight? Who guessed that he would deke a guy in his own zone before getting on his horse for an end to end to score that GWG?
• Scott Hoefer played awesome. Drew a penalty, fired a bunch of shots on goal (a few rang the iron), and was solid defensively. Can't ask for much more from a guy.
• Mark Hendricks and Pat King were flying out there, and though they connected for three goals, anyone else think there was some rust? I think 3 tallies is going to be considered a low mark for them this season.
• Ryan Odell saw a lot of minutes tonight and created a lot of chances. He still has the knack to be too cute at times, but his spin-a-rama is clicking at around 85% effective and hot damn if it doesn't look pretty.
• Mountain man Pioneer Johnny Appleseed Brad Lotocki was solid out there. His stability on the back end is definitely noticed out there in the canyon in the great plains at the summit on the rink.
• Andy Schram single handedly kept the Comrades in it tonight for long stretches of the game. He was charged and found guilty of left handed larceny on more than one occasion.
• Ben Breiterman lost his car key and was unable to retrieve his equipment from his trunk. That is his bullet point for the night.

So, that's it. Mother Russia's Boys are undefeated. Enjoy it for now Comrades, the reigning champs come to town on Tuesday.

THREE STARS
3: Scott Hoefer
2: Tony Horton
1: Andy Schram