4-1

At 11:00 am this morning, the Comrades had three confirmed skaters, no goalie, a debt to the Plex, and the distinct scent of booze and cigarette smoke in their clothes. By 1:00 pm, the Comrades had five skaters, a goalie, and a better credit score. The beer smell still lingered. Yes, with only five skaters, the Comrades were able to pull off a very impressive 8-5 victory and avenge their season opening loss to Trailside.

Ten more notes on the inspired effort:

• It's difficult to win when you only have five skaters, that is a fact. But, when the five skaters are Mike D'Ignazio, Brian and Mark Hendricks, Dan Merold, and Ryan Odell, well, you've got a fighting chance. No shortage of skill in that lineup.
• Matt Kraus emerged from his cave backstopped the effort, making several key stops en route to his first win while donned in Soviet Red in months. After surrendering an early goal on the first shot he faced, Kraus settled down and became an impact player. The Soviets also did a good job of limiting opportunities and keeping shots to the perimeter. As Ray Lewis says, "We must protect this Kraus!".
• They don't keep track of shots at the Plex, but here at the R.A.D., we love guessing. So that's what we'll do. The Comrades had 48 shots on goal today.
• Celenski was up to his old self, robbing Comrades blind on golden opportunities. At least for first two periods. In the third, the aggregate effect of so many shots being fired winded the goalie, and in turn, led to his demise. Stick tap to the Comrades for not waivering from their game plan.
• It would be tough to find a game in Red Army history that featured better passing than this one. There was a lot of chemistry on the rink today, and at times, it was arousing.
• Brian "Beege" Hendricks had a nice return to the lineup. He missed a few opportunities early, but scored the Soviet's third goal of the game to tie it late in the middle stanza. His defensive play in the third to disrupt a play in the corner and then spring an odd man rush with his older brother was nothing short of sensational.
• And the finish? A one timer top shelf? Yes, I'll order that every time please. It was clear that #18 brought his shooting stick today.
• D'Ignazio also buried a pretty one, firing the puck top shelf where Uncle Sam keeps the ammo. Afterward he claimed the goal was "prestigious". Then he flicked off the entire press contingency but kept his thumb securely tucked into his hand... like a faggot gentleman.
• Dan Merold played a solid game in his own right, scoring a goal early in the 3rd to put the Comrades ahead 4-3. He was stickhandling by defenders and setting people up, which is what we've been seeing more and more of from Danny Boy.
• Ryan Odell didn't tally a goal today, but was a defensive force as usual. His breakouts were calm, his outlet passes crisp, and his beard rugged. Yes, he's a man's man.

Stats:

Goals:
FIRST PERIOD
1: Hendricks (D'Ignazio, Odell)
SECOND PERIOD
2: Hendricks (Merold, Odell)
3: Beege (Hendricks)
THIRD PERIOD
4: Merold (unassisted)
5: D'Ignazio (Hendricks, Odell)
6: Hendricks (Beege, Odell)
7: Hendricks (D'Ignazio)
8: Hendricks (Beege)

Penalties:
None

THREE STARS:
3: Beege
2: Mike D'Ignazio
1: Mark Hendricks