It's Necessary

Sunday night's game was a perfect example of what the Red Army has to do if they want any chance at repeating as champions. They threw a lot of pucks on net, created traffic, and ultimately wore down the tired Grenades with constant forechecking, backchecking, and grinding cycles. And the result? A saved season and a handful of nervous guys dressed in yellow.

TEN NOTES ON THE GAME:
- Let's start with Andy Schram. Does this guy have ice in his veins or what? This is back to back seasons where he has single handidly kept the Comrades in it for long stretches of the game. Tonight was no exception. While trailing 3-2 in the second period, Schram stopped three or four point blank shots from the slot when his skaters refused to find a man. The Iron Curtain is the primary reason the season did not end tonight.

- Pat King's goal to tie the game was nothing short of sensational. Not only did he win the faceoff to himself, he also took the puck straight up the gut of the best defensive team in the league and won every single one on one battle. Of course, the finish wasn't bad either. Let's hope the snake bite wounds have healed.

- For as much as fans are going to get on the second line of Tony Horton and Steve Hand for not finishing a few chances tonight, it should be noted that even if they did miss a few golden opportunities on the doorstep, they still were creating the chances. If they pot one or two early next game, you better believe the Grenades start spreading out their defense.

- He may not score as much as some of his defensive counterparts, but when Scott Hoefer does score, it's a big goal. How about a game winning goal for the self declared loser hater? Not bad, guy.

- Sticking with the defense, Jamie Simek continued his strong play as of late by turning in another solid outing. He may not be the flashiest player on the back end, or the swiftest skater, or possess the hardest shot, but he has asserted himself as the most consistent. It's one and done for the opposition when they go against the SAMEurai.

- It's pretty clear that the Grenades game plan includes a player cheapshotting shadowing Hendricks throughout the whole game. It's working, kind of.

- Staying with Hendricks, he played the way he had to tonight if he is going to be hounded all game. He consistently outworked the defensemen in the corners, disrupted several shot attempts by the Grenades, was paramount in killing the only power play, scored an ugly goal, registered a gorgeous assist, and had a modest +3 rating. But what he really showed is that he knows that there is more than one way to win a hockey game.

- The other star of the Red Army also shone brightly tonight. Ben Breiterman scored a goal and was a breakout machine tonight, turning defense into offense with his patented rushes up the rink. The only concern? A lot of misses from the slot tonight. He must have caught the bug that was going around the locker room.

- I'd be remiss if I did not mention the absolutely incredible turn around that Brad Lotocki experienced tonight. After taking a penalty and scoring an own goal in the first period, the Mountain Man responded with two goals (into the Grenade net) and a solid shut down peformance the rest of the way.

- And lastly, the Red Army is now one win away from repeating as Division Champions. But you already knew that. It's just fun to type.

THREE STARS:
3: Ben Breiterman
2: Brad Lotocki
1: Andy Schram