Advantage Stench: Soviets Surrender Lead Late, Lose in Overtime

Less than a minute into overtime last night, with Tony Horton in the penalty box for a tripping penalty late in regulation, a Cryptic Stench defender unleashed a slap shot that found its way through traffic and past Ron Whaley, winning the game for the Stench and vaulting them to 1-0 series lead.

Ten more notes on the game that put the Soviets behind the eight ball:

• Special teams was one of the three keys to the game we highlighted prior to tonight's faceoff. Well, they proved to be pivotal. The Stench had one power play in the game (in overtime) and they scored. They also scored on a delayed penalty. Basically, the Comrades need to be better when down a man.


• And how about drawing a penalty? Zero power plays on the evening for Mother Russia. Skate harder and earn 'em, boys.


• It seemed like the theme of the night for the Red Army was inconsistency. No one player stood out as being very good or very bad, it seems that each Comrade had a bit of both. Classic example: Mark Hendricks had 3 goals and 2 assists, very good. He was also caught in no man's land on the PK in OT and allowed the Stench defender to take a slap shot from close range, very bad.


• The other top gun for the Soviets had a quiet night on the offensive front. Mike D'Ignazio was held off of the score sheet for the first time this season. Let's just assume he's saving it up for games 2 and 3, eh? Please, D'Igga?


• Arguably the best forward for the Soviets tonight was #57. Pat King racked up two goals and about 4,000 posts. Every time he touched the puck, he was a threat to score. His dekes were working and his shot was on. Of course, now that he's in a stride, he will be vacating the Northern Virginia region for a trip to Florida. Bon Voyage Comrade, your effort tonight will be avenged. Twice.


• Jason White and Jamie Simek played very well together tonight. The two are mostly known for their defensive play, but tonight they chipped in with four assists (two each). How about that?


• The other pairing of Pete Collis and Horton were also good, and they chipped in with three assists. But it's not the defense adding offense that concerns us...


• It's the offense adding defense. Not a very strong effort in the backchecking department. A lot of gliding. Trust me, I have videos. (The documentary is coming along fantastically!)


• With a two goal lead in the 3rd period the Comrades fanned on several chances to increase the lead to three. In the immortal words of any Mortal Combat character, the Soviets must learn to "FINISH THEM".


• Tough loss? Yes. How about an uplifting stat? In the Championship Series, the Red Army is 3-0 all time in game two. Breathing easier?

BOXSCORE:

Goals:

FIRST PERIOD

1: King (Hendricks, Collis)

SECOND PERIOD

2: Hendricks (White, Simek)

3: Hendricks (Horton)

4: King (unassisted)

THIRD PERIOD

5: Hand (Hendricks, Horton)

6: Hendricks (White, Simek)

Penalties:

Horton, tripping: 2 minutes

THREE STARS:

3: Jason White

2: Mark Hendricks

1: Pat King