It wasn't exactly the start the Soviets were hoping for when they faced off against the cellar-dwelling Shockers on Sunday night, but the two late goals scored by the Comrades certainly capped off a stellar ending. By overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to win 5-3, the Red Army has now extended its winning streak to three games, improved their record to 5-6, and leapfrogged the idle Grenades in the standings.
In other words, we might be in business.
"I definitely think we've come a long way since the slow start to the season," Captain Steve Hand told reporters at today's optional practice. "It's no secret that we did not play well the first half of the season. I think guys are getting back into their grooves now, and it's good, we want to peak at the right time."
Andy Schram, who exercised his right to skip the optional practice, will need to replicate his performance from last night if the Comrades have any hopes in continuing in their winning ways.
"No doubt he needs to be big," Tony Horton said. "Not as big as me, literally, but as big as me, or maybe even bigger, if that's possible, figuratively. You get what I mean?"
After surrendering the first two goals on the first two shots faced, Schram became a wall, and the Soviets were able to rally. Pat King was the benefactor of an aggressive forecheck by Mark Hendricks. Hendricks stripped Loges of the puck and fed King a pass. King, returning to his old ways, did what he does best: ran up a pretty hefty bar tab.
"Grey Goose son, Grey goose," King said after the game.
The Shockers would reclaim a two goal lead early in the second period, but it would be the last shot to pierce Schram. Scott Hoefer brought the Comrades back within striking distance when the defenseman proved that he can score with any stick. The shot from the point floated past the bodies and nicked the cross bar before settling in the back of the net.
"We were losing at the time. I....did...not...like....that," Hoefer said, becoming tense and a lime shade of green.
With less than ten seconds to play in the period, new homeowner Brad Lotocki found Hendricks along the halfwall where the sniper one timed the puck past the unsuspecting Shocker goalie.
Entering the third, the score was three to three.
"That goal was huge for us," Lotocki said, thumbing through the latest edition of Interior Design Weekly. "I like this wall paper, Mahogany Forest. It definitely has that ski chalet appeal that Timber Run was missing. One thing is for sure with both of them though, with that dense of a forest, you would never be able to hear or see the inevitable attacks of the BEAR CAVALRY!"
Brian Lynch echoed his defensive partner's sentiments.
"It's true, if the Bear Cavalry were to trek through these woods, you wouldn't see them until they were fifteen or twenty meters in front of you. As we all know, that's just not enough time to run away. I mean, it's well known that if you're on the same continent as the BC, you're already [out of luck]."
Jamie Simek disagreed.
"My people have always prided themselves on quick reaction time, hand to hand combat, and anime. If the bear-riding-ones marched through the Timber Run wallpaper or Mahogany Forest wallpaper like [Lynch] and [Lotocki] have said, they would be met with throwing stars, blow darts, and flashing lights in cartoons to elicit seizures."
In the third period, it was the usual suspects who sealed the deal for the Soviets. Hendricks scored his second of the game on the power play and a few minutes later Ben Breiterman all but deposited the two point check in the bank.
"Just doing my job," a rarely humble Hendricks said. "Now I got to do this job." Hendricks then threw his referee jersey on, grabbed a whistle, and went to work.
Breiterman was less subdued.
"Kings of the world baby! [Scandalous women] on me tonight, gents!"
So that's the story for now. The Red Army continues to slowly climb the standings, and with 3 games remaining, there is still come climbing left to be done. Sure, there are parts of the game that need correcting, but for the moment, let's all savor the feeling of winning again.
Alright, that's enough savoring. Bring on the Stench.
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