Recap: Soviets Rout Charleston Chew, Improve to 4-1-1

Yesterday's game was a game that the Soviets were supposed to win, and supposed to win big. Thanks to a healthy dose of offense and a puck possession clinic, the Motherland got her two points in relatively easy fashion, and more importantly, kept pace with the upper echelon of teams already distancing themselves from the pack as we approach the midway mark of the season. A few notes on yesterday's 11-2 victory:

• Whatever semi-slump Mark Hendricks was in, it ended yesterday. In the first period alone, the winger netted three goals and two assists. He tacked on a goal in each of the final two frames as well to finish with seven points on the night. Our favorite of his goals? The one timer. Though we are admittedly biased when it comes to one timers.
• The defense as a unit played great together. With only three bodies back on the blue line, Drew Kelly, Ryan Odell, and Tony Horton did a fantastic job of keeping shifts short and picking their spots when joining the offensive rush. Kelly and Odell combined for three goals while Horton may have had the assist of the night on a slick drop pass to Hendricks.
• The "secondary" scorers got involved in the party as well, with Pat King and Steve Hand each netting a goal. Hand's marker was the result of going to the net and slamming home a loose puck and King's tally was him out-muscling the defenders in a goal mouth scramble and finding the puck before jamming it home. Yes, both these players have shown they can do more than crash the crease, but as the season progresses and goals come at a premium, these are the types of goals that more often than not make the difference. Nothing wrong with developing good habits early.
• Pete Collis continued his streak of not missing a game solid play. Arguably the fastest skater on the team, Collis is able to be a force in both ends of the rink, and he was that and more yesterday. Chalk up another goal, a few helpers, and a gaudy +/- rating for #7 and baby, you got a stew going.
• The Red Army, at 4-1-1, has nine points and is in a tie for 3rd place with Cryptic Stench (though the Soviets have a game-in-hand). But, did you know that they are tied with Team Hock(aloog)ey for a division-best goals against ledger? Through six games, the Soviets have allowed only 21 goals, which equates to a 3.50 GAA. You learn something new everyday, folks.

That's it for now. The Comrades lace them up Thursday night at 8:00 pm vs the Puck Ewes to close out the first half of the season. There is a lot on the line in that game, as the winner would leapfrog the team in front of them in the standings. The Soviets better focus on Thursday's match up rather than looking ahead towards next Sunday's Prestigious affair.