For the second straight game, the Soviets easily defeated a team beneath them in the standings and added another two points to the ledger in their increasingly successful season. Led by Steve Hand and Pat King, the Red Army improved its record to 7-1-1 and moved into second place with a 10-2 victory over the Hurricanes.
"Anytime you play a team that you are supposed to beat, the pressure is on you," Mark Hendricks said. "We have expectations. To meet those expectations we need to make sure we are winning games we should be winning, and tonight was one of those games."
When asked about the recent controversy surrounding allegations that he has been shooting more to pad his stats, Hendricks dismissed the notion. "That anonymous guy who is saying that can kiss my ass. Look, it's one thing to intentionally go for breakaways, but we don't do that. Plus, if that guy is going to comment, why not just say who he is and what team he plays for?"
Hendricks was not done.
"Also, these guys are saying we are a dirty team. Dirty team? Outside of sticking up for each other after the assault a few games ago, I can't recall any of our guys fighting or laying a hit on someone. It just seems today that people can say anything today and people believe it. So, I'm going to offer my response. The Red Army is a dirty team, OK, but here are some things people might not know about the other teams. The Cryptic Stench are homophobic, the Strangers support terrorism, five of the members on the Shockers are in N.A.M.B.L.A, the Puck Ewes leave stingy tips when they eat out, the Hurricanes rarely respond to text messages, every member on the Prestige Worldwide team owns the director's cut edition of "Gigli" replete with bonus features and four alternate endings all of which still suck, the Jeff Schultz Experience suck at parallel parking, the Islanders are allergic to cats, the Mad Dads take Flomax, and the Unamused Pirates are all addicted to heroin. There, wrap your heads around those facts."
Back to Tuesday night's action, it did not take long for the Moscow Men to strike first. Ben Breiterman, returning from an extended absence, scored his first of four on the night from a shot in tight.
"L'chaim!" Ben yelled, as he and his chair were lifted into the air by his surrounding teammates, all of whom were singing Hava Nagila.
Scott Hoefer enjoyed another strong game, assisting on three goals. His latest helpers give him six games played.
"I'm just trying to chip in any way I can," a jubilant Hoefer said after the game. "I know I always preach about winning and how it doesn't matter about the stats, it's about the team... so let's keep it that way," Hoefer then became very serious. "I like winning, don't even talk about losing around here or I will kick you in the nuts."
The offense was mostly supplied by King and Hand though. Both forwards produced four point nights, with two goals and two assists each. For Hand, it gives him 15 points on the season and continues his recent hot streak. For King, it makes him the second Soviet to reach double digits in goals. His tallies were 10 and 11 on the campaign. Both players preached doing their roles well.
"For me, I make my living in front of the net," Hand said. "I had a lot of opportunities to score tonight because I am in the right place. It's about being there. I'm always there. When you wake up, I'm there."
King agreed with his captain.
"I have been pulling the trigger more instead of deferring to other scorers. It's made a big difference. Plus, once you find something that words, you have to stick with hit. I have found that by ordering only the finest of Grey Goose Vodka every time, I have been scoring much more frequently and much prettier goals. Top shelf is where my heart resides."
Andy Schram suited up in goal again for the comrades, turning away most of the shots he faced and improved his undefeated record to 8-0. The streak, which spans over two years, now has Schram asking fans to give him a nickname.
"Here's what I'm thinking," Schram said while his fingers shook. "I want something that combines my martial arts class with my goaltending skills. Please no Asian jokes, they get old fast... Mark and Steve."
Brad Lotocki had a cheering section last night as his younger sister Leigh came out to support the team.
"We could really hear her in the second when she unleashed the fury," Lotocki said. "It was almost as loud as a bear cavalry."
That's it from here. Another solid win and two more points. The rest of the season gets tough though, and it starts on Sunday with a match-up against the bad tipping Puck Ewes. Let's see what Mother Russia's Boys can give them, especially with reinforcements on their way up from Blacksburg.
THREE STARS:
3: Steve Hand
2: Pat King
1: Ben Breiterman
1 comment:
Great post.
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