Though they boast having prestige that encompasses all of the globe, Prestige Worldwide had to live with the fact that the largest country by land mass placed an embargo on them. Yes, in yet another thrilling match up between rivals PW and the Red Army, it was a game that came down to the final seconds. For once, in these two teams' brief history together, Lady Luck favored Mother Russia.
"It was a big game for us," Mark Hendricks said. "We were coming off a tough loss to the Strangers. We wanted to get back on the winning track, and we knew it was going to be a tough game and would be close, but we thought we could win." The alternate captain, who finished with two goals and an assist also hinted at the fact that these two teams might not be done with each other this season. "I think we are good and I think they are good. Good teams win, and if you win then you keep on playing. They won the first game this season, we won game two. I think we'll see a game three."
Hendricks started the scoring in the first when he took a slick drop pass from Pat King and, using the defenseman as a screen, fired a low wrist shot five hole on the unsuspecting goalie.
"It's good to be playing with Mark again," King said after the game. "We read each other pretty well out there. Communication is the key, though I think sometimes he can talk a little too much. Like in the second period when I was in the corner, Mark skated behind the net and started yelling 'I think it is strange that many sequels make more money at the box office than the originals yet the sequels almost always are of poorer cinematic quality'. I mean, the point is valid, but with three minutes to go in the period and I'm at the end of a long shift I just want to know if he's open."
Another Hendricks, Neal, increased the lead to two later in the frame. Playing on a line with Tony Horton, Hendricks took the Big Rig's cross crease feed and tapped one backdoor.
"He is quick out there," Horton said. "Playing with speed is fun, it allows you to create more." Horton, who was the recipient of a high stick in the first period, also mentioned how important it is to keep one's cool. "I could have retaliated, but I think, and it's especially true at this point of the season, that we need to keep our emotions in check. Besides, it's not in my nature to be aggressive. I can't think of any Germans who ever used force, or imposed themselves on others, or invaded Poland."
The Prestigious Ones tallied one late against Chris Celenski, who was filling in for Andy Schram, to make the score 2-1 after the first.
"We were pretty happy after the first," Brad Lotocki said. "It was an up tempo game and we had the legs." Lotocki then rotated his spit roast a quarter turn as the gazelle he had killed in the parking lot was nearing perfection. "Just a few more minutes now," he said, sprinkling pepper onto the carcass.
Prestige knotted the score at two in the second frame after a defensive break down lead to a breakaway.
"Shouldn't have done that, he's just a boy," Brian Hendricks said. "I'm just living the dream and I think we need more wine in a can. But seriously, if anyone tries to get another break away against us I'm going to ride on an eagle, soar real high, and go all America on everyone's ass! Up high! Oh yeah Svenska!"
"He only quotes things from movies and sitcoms," Brian's twin brother Neal said. "Those lines were from Southpark and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Those aren't his lines! He is a joke stealer. Actually, that last one isn't even a joke, he's just saying 'Oh Yeah Swedish' and that doesn't even make sense! Why do people think he is funny!?!"
The period ended tied, and as expected, the game between the two rivals became a fifteen minute match up.
Prestige drew blood first in the final frame. After a questionable rebound surrendered by Celenski was pushed out into the goal mouth, a forward of Prestigious descent made no mistake in burying the loose puck.
"Oh no, here we go again," Mr. King tweeted from his I-phone (one of the many perks of being a Red Army season ticket holder) as he watched from his center ice perch with Mrs. King and last year's 3rd round draft pick Brian King.
Everyone seemed to sense it. The game appeared to be yet another sequel in an increasingly depressing series for the Soviets, a series centered around late losses to Prestige Worldwide. Hendricks though, an aspiring writer himself, decided to offer an alternate ending to the script. With under five minutes to go, after a very impressive penalty kill, the league leading scorer took an indirect pass from his younger brother Neal and raced full speed ahead with the puck into the PW zone. The sniper took it wide on the lone defender before cutting back across the crease and firing a snap shot from nearly zero angle past the sprawling goaltender.
Hendricks performed one of his patented overly jacked celebrations as he slid to one knee and fist pumped. Still, the game was tied, not won. Hendricks and friends would need one more strike before they could secure two points and a first round bye. With ninety seconds left, they got that strike. King and Hendricks worked the puck into the offensive zone and began the cycle. The defensemen, Hoefer and Beege, had activated and were involved in the play. Beege took a feed from King and skated down along the half wall to the right of the Prestige goal. Hendricks moved out to the point as Hoefer went to the front of the net and jostled for position. Beege fired a seam pass to Hendricks who sent a slap pass in the direction of Hoefer. Hoefer got a stick on the puck, and redirected it a few inches up and over the pad of the opposing goalie.
The Plex was a-rockin'.
It kept rocking for the furious remaining minute and change. With the extra attacker on the Prestigious tried everything they could to tie the game, but shots were blocked and pucks were cleared. With three seconds to go another scramble for a loose puck occurred in Celenski's crease but Beege was able to steer it safety and secure the win, and more importantly, that coveted first round pass. It evened the season series between the two rivals, and gave the Soviets some momentum as they head into their final game of the regular season next week against the number one ranked Puck Ewes.
"Right now we feel like we can beat anybody," Hoefer said. "That's our goal, to beat anybody we play. I like winning. It's no secret that I like winning, and after tonight, where I scored my first career game winning goal, I'd just like to say that I like winning even more. I know many of you, and even myself before this very moment, thought that my attitude towards winning could not be pushed any further in the pro winning direction. But it has been pushed folks. It has been. I love winning."
So, that's it for now from the Plex. The Soviets have clinched a top four spot in the division and in doing so, have also clinched a first round bye. Now, as for you statisticians out there trying to crank out all the scenarios for how the standings may ultimately end up, good luck. Even with a win, the Soviets can still finish as low as fourth, though they would also be able to earn the top spot with some help. With a loss, they probably do fall to that four seed, though could stay in the three spot with some help. We won't know until next week. For now, a toast to another ten win season, first round bye, and win over Prestige Worldwide, who's reign, as mentioned earlier, does not reach the Motherland's borders.
THREE STARS:
3: Neal Hendricks
2: Mark Hendricks
1: Scott Hoefer
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