Red Army short circuits the Shockers; can lock up 7th seed on Sunday

There is no excessive hyperbole needed to inflate drama into the already heated Shocker/Red Army rivalry. Fans are aware of the underlying tension that exists, the league markets the match up more aggressively than Vevo does to any video on Youtube, and players put foil on the fingers. Still, something that gets lost in the "Will there be a fight tonight?" fog that clouds the preview to any Soviets/Shocker game, is the fact that these teams know each other very well. In fact, in this current championship run the Red Army is enjoying, no team has had more cracks at dethroning the Soviets than the Shockers, who have played them four times (5-0 leads are the worst leads in roller hockey). The point I am trying to make here is this: knowledge is power, and the Soviets demonstrated that they are the kings tsars of playing a strategy that is specific to an opponent. On Sunday night, the game plan was to play with an edge, and in doing so, push their opponent over it.

Here are ten notes about the Red Army's 8-5 victory over the Shockers:

• Had the Shockers not shown that they are more than capable to play with only four skaters and a goalie earlier this summer, this win could have been chalked up to simply having more subs. But, that is not the case, and when Louis Wesley and Stefen Loges are two of those four skates and the goalie is Chris Celenski, you have to play well to win. So, just thought I'd clear that up.
• Speaking of the two guns the Shockers had, they combined for six points (three goals and three assists). Mark Hendricks had himself a three goal, three assist night himself.
• And holy secondary scoring did #18 get help on the offensive front last night. Pat King and Ryan Odell chipped in with four point outbursts themselves and Drew Kelley netted a pair of goals. Now, if only that could be something that happened every game...
• His effort won't show up in the score sheet, but the Captain played like a captain tonight. Steve Hand went to the crease, made Celenski very uncomfortable, and was a force that the Shockers simply could not handle. How about some play making skills he's been showing lately too? Eh, how about 'em?
• Tony Horton played defense for the 4th consecutive game, and for the 4th consecutive game, there were very few complaints. Not sure what this guy has changed from earlier in the season, but the hockey he is playing these days is the most well rounded, intelligent, and crisp of his career. Yes, I used the adjective crisp...like an autumn morning or a saucer pass.
  
• Jimma Jam stood his ground in the net, making several key saves when the Soviet skaters stopped skating. He continues to evolve and look more comfortable in net, and apparently is good for two or three jaw dropping saves a game.
• The Soviets can wrap up the 7th seed on Sunday in the season finale versus the Beer Guts. If they win, they will play the 2nd seed, which right now, is a three way tie between the Puck Ewes, the Shockers, and Stuffed Chrus.
• Ben Breiterman was a healthy scratch for the game because his birthday was the night before and his whereabouts at the time of face off were unknown, though police authorities are claiming they have an idea, and "it ain't pretty".
• Scott Hoefer was also a healthy scratch as was Pete Collis. The two of them had other things to do besides win.
• Louis Wesley was furious after the game, and added two angry eyebrows to the already menacing face that is tattooed on his back.

THREE STARS:
3: Steve Hand
2: Pat King
1: Drew Kelley