Now that the holidays are over and the annual returning of undersized v-neck sweaters can begin, the Digest will once again return to its prominent, extremely biased reporting. So, let's get to it shall we?
Our beloved Soviets played two games over the break. The first against the Jeff Schultz Experience and the latter against the defending champion Strangers. Game one ended with another two point deposit in the Bronze bank account, while game two ended the eight game winning streak and left the Comrades going through a victory deprived withdrawal.
Highs/Lows/So-So's of the two games:
HIGHs:
-The return of Peter. Though his conditioning has suffered since moving to Georgia, it was still great to see him play. He has also been closer to Russia than any Red Army player has ever been. If he manages to hop the border to the Motherland when he returns to Eastern Europe then, well, that would just be awesome.
-Cardiac Comrades. Even though it came in a loss, the third period effort put forth by the Red Army on Tuesday was electric. Save for an early Beege strike, the Soviets had not been able to get any sort of offense going. Trailing by four in the final frame, they began working. The 5-1 deficit became 5-2 with a Neal Hendricks rebound goal. Moments later it became 5-3 when Mark Hendricks fired one home as Ryan Odell set the screen. Then Mark tallied again, this time shorthanded, 5-4. A defensive lapse while still a man down pushed the Strangers lead to 6-4. Another late letdown again seemed to put the final nail in the coffin, as the Strangers struck to give them a three goal edge with less than two minutes to play. Then, magic almost happened. Scott Hoefer and Steve Hand jammed away for a rebound in the front of the net and scored the Soviet's fifth goal on the night. With eight seconds left, Odell fired home a cross crease pass from Mark Hendricks, and the deficit was one. The face-off was won by the Strangers, but a careless pass behind his own net by a Stranger defenseman allowed the Soviets one last flurry. Mark Hendricks found his younger brother Neal in front of the goal, but the one timer was shanked. The puck found Beege's blade, but his shot was thwarted by a kick save. The horn sounded, the game ended, the streak ended. Still, if the Soviets play fifteen hard minutes against the reigning champions and outscore them 5-2, I like their chances when they decide to play the full 45.
Kung Fu Schramda. Even though his undefeated record was dashed by the loss to the Strangers, he has been playing well and people are taking notice.
LOWs:
-Adjustments. How long did it take the Soviets to change their game-plan and go to the front of the net? Too long. That's why their current streak is L1.
-Offense playing defense. Too many forwards are not back checking or just look scrambled out there when covering the points.
SO-SOs:
-Secondary scoring. One game after putting on a clinic, Pat King, Steve Hand, and Tony Horton seemed to disappear against the Strangers. Maybe it's the tougher competition, but in the playoffs their production is going to be huge.
Neal:
-When he is in the lineup, many would agree he is the next highest threat to score after Mark. Against the Strangers he looked great at times, and other times not so great. That in itself defines "so-so" I believe.
So there are two recaps, heavy on the Strangers I know, but I suppose when you only lose two or three times a year you should devote a little attention to it.
THREE STARS FROM THE HOLIDAY BREAK:
3: Beege
2: Andy Schram
1: Peter Hendricks (just because)
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