Despite being a bit hungover today, I've still managed to give 78% effort at work. The post lunch dip in caring (PLDC/60) will drop today's average to near 63%, but for now, it's commendable.
#FancyStats
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
TSARS AGAIN
Near the midway mark of overtime, Mark Hendricks collected an outlet pass from Tony Horton at the top of the Soviet defensive zone. Hendricks raced down the right wing and tried to beat the last remaining defenseman along the boards, but was interfered with while trying to work to the inside, resulting in a delayed penalty call. As goaltender Kevin Durkin raced to the bench for the extra attacker, Mike D'Ignazio retrieved the loose puck to continue the offensive thrust. D'Ignazio skated toward the slot to unleash a slapshot, but was hit as he shot, managing only a weak, low shot that was kicked out by Trailside's goalie Chris Celenski. The referee, deeming that Celenski had not controlled the puck, allowed for play to continue. With D'Ignazio and the Trailside defender both tangled up, Hendricks swooped in and picked up the rebound, taking a step to the side of the outstretched Celenski before firing the puck into the back of the net to end the game, the series, and the season.
The Soviets were once again Tsars of the division.
"I thought that whistle was going to blow," a euphoric Hendricks said after the game. "I mean, I thought their guy actually touched the puck before Digs shot it. Then when Celenski stopped it, I thought it was going to be blown. But, you always play til the whistle, so I kept going. When I had that puck and I was in alone, I don't know, I knew he robbed me earlier on the same play, so I took it a bit wider. I knew I had to end it there. When it went in, I don't know... I just jumped. I think I tried to tackle Odell."
"It was like jumping into a lover's arms after you hadn't seen them in six years. And, there had been a world war that had separated you," Odell said. "No homo though. I talked about war. It was manly. A manly hug. God damnit it felt good."
The celebration was brief though, as D'Ignazio was still lying on the rink, not in a state of euphoria, but in a state of fogged delusion. The forward's collision with a member of Trailside's defensive corps was no fender bender.
"I remember getting that puck and trying to shoot," D'Ignazio said after the game, sporting an ice pack on his head. "Then I remember just looking up and getting crushed. Then, a bright light. My great grandparents were there. They were motioning to me. They were waving me in, and I was floating. I was floating toward... a Chick Fil A... "
"Hold still Digga," Captain Steve Hand interrupted D'Ignazio's story to grab a few ice cubes from the ice pack to put in his Apple-Tini. "Annnnd all good. Hey, who read the latest Vogue?!?"
The Soviets scored the first goal of the game, as they did in each one of their five playoff games this summer, about ten minutes into the first period. Jason White made a smart pinch in the offensive zone to keep the puck alive, and passed the puck to Hendricks who was waiting at the top of the right face-off circle. Hendricks received the pass and cut to the slot, unleashing a backhand shot that nicked the right post and crossbar before landing in the back of the net.
"I saw two guys pressuring me, so I knew [Hendricks] would be open," White said. "It was a good way to cap off that shift, we we're owning the puck that shift."
Continued White, "I don't always show up on the score-sheet, but when I do, it's against Trailside in the playoffs."
Red Army continued to carry the play as the period progressed, but the Comrades were unable to establish a two goal lead. D'Ignazio and Hendricks both missed on back to back golden opportunities, and before long, on a counter-attack, Trailside had evened the score at one.
"Just had a bit of a breakdown there," Jamie Simek said. "We were running around in our own zone and they made us pay. Still, going into the first period tied at one, I think we were happy. I know I was, there were sillies galore upstairs and very few trifling ones. Oh sure."
In the second period, the teams again traded chances, but it was the goaltenders who shined brightest. Both Durkin and Celenski were tested, but neither would budge. Durkin was bailed out by Pat King late in the middle stanza when a high shot ricocheted off of the back boards and back in front of Durkin. King swatted the puck out before a Trailside forward could jam the puck home.
"We're going to need a bigger boat," King said.
Asked to expand on what he meant, King responded, "Hash tag shark week. Now grab a dummy seal and get in my shark sled!"
The Red Army reclaimed the lead in the final two minutes of the period, on a broken, and very lucky, play. Two Trailside players criss-crossed at the top of the offensive zone. D'Ignazio challenged puck carrier who was not expecting the defense. The Trailside player tried to make a pass but D'Ignazio deflected it a few feet away from the two of them. Hendricks abandoned his defensive assignment and sprung toward center, anticipating that D'Ignazio would win the race and feed him the puck for the breakaway-- a risky play the forward would admit later. D'Ignazio did win the race and did feed Hendricks the puck though, and Hendricks made no mistake on the breakaway, scoring on a backhand shot to the roof to give the Soviets the 2-1 lead.
"I knew right when I left my man it was a risky play," Hendricks said. "If Digs hadn't gotten it, it's a 4 on 2 the other way. But, if he did get it, it was a breakaway from center. You have to take chances if you're going to win, and you have to have guys that can let you take those chances. I've been lucky to play with guys that I can take more chances than other guys," Hendricks then paused, and said, "but I swear I'm defensively committed! I swear! I had like, four blocked shots this season!"
With the lead going into the third, the mantra on the bench was to not deviate from the game plan. Fifteen minutes of good hockey and the team would be champions again.
They relinquished the lead on the first shift.
"Not exactly the way we drew it up," Horton said. "In fact, it was quite terrible. The nation of Germany hasn't even done something that terrible."
Horton then loosened his collar and looked around briefly before continuing, "I'm of course joking... we gave David Hasselhoff way too much fame."
Things went from bad to worse with four minutes remaining when Hand was whistled for a roughing penalty. The Trailside power play, which had been lethal all playoffs, went to work. King, Simek, and Horton killed the first minute, selflessly throwing themselves in front of shots to keep the pucks from getting to Durkin. When the shots did get through, Durkin steered them to the side or out into the meshing. It looked like the Comrades would survive the late scare until a failed clearing attempt with ten seconds left on the penalty was kept in by Trailside. A point shot was deflected en route, landing perfectly on the blade of a Trailside forward positioned to the side of Durkin. Before Durkin could scramble over, it was 3-2 Trailside with a bit more than two minutes remaining.
"No panic," D'Ignazio said when asked to describe how the bench felt after that goal went in. "We were resilient. All season long we've thrived in one goal games. We were within striking distance, they got a bounce, we could get a bounce too."
And they did. But first, they got a power play.
Hendricks was tripped near center, giving the Comrades their first power play of the game. They stacked the unit, keeping Hendricks and D'Ignazio out there, but adding Odell and Aaron Duda to the point. The unit went to work and maintained good puck possession, but couldn't generate shots. With a little more than a minute remaining in the game, Hendricks took a pass from D'Ignazio on the goal line to the right of Celenski. Hendricks attempted a pass through the crease to Duda who was crashing the net back door, but the puck hit a defenseman's skates and trickled through Celenski to the back of the net.
With just over 60 seconds remaining in their season, the Soviets had rallied to tie the game.
"I felt like the guy in Shawshank Redemption when that went in," Hand said. "Or the lead singer of Dashboard Confessional."
In overtime, the Soviets actually had a power play opportunity to win the game, but were unable to capitalize. Durkin made several key saves to prolong the extra frame, but the best play came from Duda, who made a diving poke check on a breakaway.
"One of the many advantages of being eight feet tall is my reach," Duda said. "And, I can ride any roller coaster."
Shortly after that poke check, Horton threw the puck around the boards where it landed on Hendricks' stick, and the rest is, well, history.
"You always remember your first," D'Ignazio said.
"Dude," said Simek, "That's kinda gay."
THREE STARS:
3:
2:
1: Pete Collis, Mike D'Ignazio, Aaaron Duda, Kevin Durkin, Steve Hand, Mark Hendricks, Tony Horton, Pat King, Ryan Odell, Jamie Simek, Jason White
The Soviets were once again Tsars of the division.
"I thought that whistle was going to blow," a euphoric Hendricks said after the game. "I mean, I thought their guy actually touched the puck before Digs shot it. Then when Celenski stopped it, I thought it was going to be blown. But, you always play til the whistle, so I kept going. When I had that puck and I was in alone, I don't know, I knew he robbed me earlier on the same play, so I took it a bit wider. I knew I had to end it there. When it went in, I don't know... I just jumped. I think I tried to tackle Odell."
"It was like jumping into a lover's arms after you hadn't seen them in six years. And, there had been a world war that had separated you," Odell said. "No homo though. I talked about war. It was manly. A manly hug. God damnit it felt good."
The celebration was brief though, as D'Ignazio was still lying on the rink, not in a state of euphoria, but in a state of fogged delusion. The forward's collision with a member of Trailside's defensive corps was no fender bender.
"I remember getting that puck and trying to shoot," D'Ignazio said after the game, sporting an ice pack on his head. "Then I remember just looking up and getting crushed. Then, a bright light. My great grandparents were there. They were motioning to me. They were waving me in, and I was floating. I was floating toward... a Chick Fil A... "
"Hold still Digga," Captain Steve Hand interrupted D'Ignazio's story to grab a few ice cubes from the ice pack to put in his Apple-Tini. "Annnnd all good. Hey, who read the latest Vogue?!?"
The Soviets scored the first goal of the game, as they did in each one of their five playoff games this summer, about ten minutes into the first period. Jason White made a smart pinch in the offensive zone to keep the puck alive, and passed the puck to Hendricks who was waiting at the top of the right face-off circle. Hendricks received the pass and cut to the slot, unleashing a backhand shot that nicked the right post and crossbar before landing in the back of the net.
"I saw two guys pressuring me, so I knew [Hendricks] would be open," White said. "It was a good way to cap off that shift, we we're owning the puck that shift."
Continued White, "I don't always show up on the score-sheet, but when I do, it's against Trailside in the playoffs."
Red Army continued to carry the play as the period progressed, but the Comrades were unable to establish a two goal lead. D'Ignazio and Hendricks both missed on back to back golden opportunities, and before long, on a counter-attack, Trailside had evened the score at one.
"Just had a bit of a breakdown there," Jamie Simek said. "We were running around in our own zone and they made us pay. Still, going into the first period tied at one, I think we were happy. I know I was, there were sillies galore upstairs and very few trifling ones. Oh sure."
In the second period, the teams again traded chances, but it was the goaltenders who shined brightest. Both Durkin and Celenski were tested, but neither would budge. Durkin was bailed out by Pat King late in the middle stanza when a high shot ricocheted off of the back boards and back in front of Durkin. King swatted the puck out before a Trailside forward could jam the puck home.
"We're going to need a bigger boat," King said.
Asked to expand on what he meant, King responded, "Hash tag shark week. Now grab a dummy seal and get in my shark sled!"
The Red Army reclaimed the lead in the final two minutes of the period, on a broken, and very lucky, play. Two Trailside players criss-crossed at the top of the offensive zone. D'Ignazio challenged puck carrier who was not expecting the defense. The Trailside player tried to make a pass but D'Ignazio deflected it a few feet away from the two of them. Hendricks abandoned his defensive assignment and sprung toward center, anticipating that D'Ignazio would win the race and feed him the puck for the breakaway-- a risky play the forward would admit later. D'Ignazio did win the race and did feed Hendricks the puck though, and Hendricks made no mistake on the breakaway, scoring on a backhand shot to the roof to give the Soviets the 2-1 lead.
"I knew right when I left my man it was a risky play," Hendricks said. "If Digs hadn't gotten it, it's a 4 on 2 the other way. But, if he did get it, it was a breakaway from center. You have to take chances if you're going to win, and you have to have guys that can let you take those chances. I've been lucky to play with guys that I can take more chances than other guys," Hendricks then paused, and said, "but I swear I'm defensively committed! I swear! I had like, four blocked shots this season!"
With the lead going into the third, the mantra on the bench was to not deviate from the game plan. Fifteen minutes of good hockey and the team would be champions again.
They relinquished the lead on the first shift.
"Not exactly the way we drew it up," Horton said. "In fact, it was quite terrible. The nation of Germany hasn't even done something that terrible."
Horton then loosened his collar and looked around briefly before continuing, "I'm of course joking... we gave David Hasselhoff way too much fame."
Things went from bad to worse with four minutes remaining when Hand was whistled for a roughing penalty. The Trailside power play, which had been lethal all playoffs, went to work. King, Simek, and Horton killed the first minute, selflessly throwing themselves in front of shots to keep the pucks from getting to Durkin. When the shots did get through, Durkin steered them to the side or out into the meshing. It looked like the Comrades would survive the late scare until a failed clearing attempt with ten seconds left on the penalty was kept in by Trailside. A point shot was deflected en route, landing perfectly on the blade of a Trailside forward positioned to the side of Durkin. Before Durkin could scramble over, it was 3-2 Trailside with a bit more than two minutes remaining.
"No panic," D'Ignazio said when asked to describe how the bench felt after that goal went in. "We were resilient. All season long we've thrived in one goal games. We were within striking distance, they got a bounce, we could get a bounce too."
And they did. But first, they got a power play.
Hendricks was tripped near center, giving the Comrades their first power play of the game. They stacked the unit, keeping Hendricks and D'Ignazio out there, but adding Odell and Aaron Duda to the point. The unit went to work and maintained good puck possession, but couldn't generate shots. With a little more than a minute remaining in the game, Hendricks took a pass from D'Ignazio on the goal line to the right of Celenski. Hendricks attempted a pass through the crease to Duda who was crashing the net back door, but the puck hit a defenseman's skates and trickled through Celenski to the back of the net.
With just over 60 seconds remaining in their season, the Soviets had rallied to tie the game.
"I felt like the guy in Shawshank Redemption when that went in," Hand said. "Or the lead singer of Dashboard Confessional."
In overtime, the Soviets actually had a power play opportunity to win the game, but were unable to capitalize. Durkin made several key saves to prolong the extra frame, but the best play came from Duda, who made a diving poke check on a breakaway.
"One of the many advantages of being eight feet tall is my reach," Duda said. "And, I can ride any roller coaster."
Shortly after that poke check, Horton threw the puck around the boards where it landed on Hendricks' stick, and the rest is, well, history.
"You always remember your first," D'Ignazio said.
"Dude," said Simek, "That's kinda gay."
THREE STARS:
3:
2:
1: Pete Collis, Mike D'Ignazio, Aaaron Duda, Kevin Durkin, Steve Hand, Mark Hendricks, Tony Horton, Pat King, Ryan Odell, Jamie Simek, Jason White
Your Feel Good Stat Du Jour
In the last 36 games the Red Army has played (including both the postseason and regular season), the team has a record of 31-5.
31-5.
That "life support" claim made by Mr. Sopko two seasons ago, is, how appropriately, dead.
BONUS VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAl-ZyI8R5Y
31-5.
That "life support" claim made by Mr. Sopko two seasons ago, is, how appropriately, dead.
BONUS VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAl-ZyI8R5Y
Monday, August 13, 2012
RED ARMY: CHAMPIONS
Unless you have been living underneath a rock for the last four days, you know that the Red Army defeated Trailside 4-3 in overtime in the decisive game three to win the series, and the team's first championship in nearly two years.
But, even if you do know that, we still want to blog.
So we're gonna.
Unhhhhhhh.
But, even if you do know that, we still want to blog.
So we're gonna.
Unhhhhhhh.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
CHДMPIФИSHIP SЗЯIЭS GДMЗ 1: #1 TЯДILSIDЭ VS. #2 ЯЗD ДЯMУ
Pregame pump up material coming around 2pm EST.
SФVIЗTS 8, SHФCКЭЯS 5
It wasn't pretty, but it was enough. Wins and only wins define success in the playoffs, which is fortunate for the Red Army, who would have received no style points for their 8-5 win over the Shockers on Sunday in the semifinals. The Soviets nearly squandered a four goal lead, but held on and will now face Trailside in the Jenkins Cup Finals.
"At the end, honestly, I was just hoping that clock would hit zero," Mark Hendricks said. Hendricks who finished with two goals and two assists, wasn't overly pleased with his team's performance and expects to be better on Thursday. "We got complacent in the first. We scored a bunch of goals, then I think we went into a shell, stopped shooting, and let them back into the game. We were lucky the game ended when it did, because I don't know how much longer we could have held on. We'll need to be better against Trailside. We'll be better."
Though Hendricks is typically the Soviets' most leaned on offensive weapon, his performance on Sunday was dwarfed by that of Pete Collis, who exploded for four goals, three of which came in the opening period.
"I don't know what got into him," Pat King said, referring to his linemate Collis. "I think he got two in one shift. And on one he fired a shot, then got his own rebound and put it in. He just had that mojo going today. I don't know what he ate for breakfast or lunch, but he should have it again. And again. And again."
"It's great for him to finally get a goal," King added. "We saved the puck for him so he can remember his first."
Collis enthusiast Jason White started the scoring early in the first, scoring on a point shot that eluded Shocker fill-in netminder Dante George.
"See what you're limiting when you play with five defensemen?!?" White asked the overlooking spectators that lined the upstairs balcony. "Are you not entertained? Are you NOT entertained?!?" White then threw his stick toward the upstairs patrons, but the surrounding meshing blocked the projectile and repelled it back toward the rink where it landed in the visitor's penalty box."
Collis scored his first of the game a few minutes later to push the lead to 2-0. He collected a pass and fired his shot upstairs on George. Later, on the same shift, Collis received a pass from King and raced down the right wing, firing a low snap shot. George stopped the initial shot, kicking the puck out into the slot, but Collis was there for his own rebound and potted it on the backhand.
"That Collis is so hot right now," Tony Horton said.
Collis completed the natural hat trick later in the period on another innocent looking shot that snuck inside the post. It was the first natural hat trick scored by a Soviet in over two years.
"History, I make it," Collis said, boarding his rocket ship with six super models and enough Verdi Spumante to fill the Indian Ocean twice. "Now," Collis continued, "Let's go have sex on the moon!"
The Shockers struck to make it 4-1 with a few minutes remaining in the period, but on the ensuing face off, any momentum they had created was halted by Hendricks who scored on the ensuing faceoff to reclaim the four goal lead.
That would be the last of the Soviet offense for sometime, as the team retreated into a shell and allowed the Shockers back into the game, surrendering three second-period goals and seeing their lead whither to just one goal.
"It was definitely a wake up call," Aaron Duda said, referring to the Red Army on the verge of collapsing. "Proverbial wake up call I mean. My wake up call was at 6am this morning so I could play for my gold north, sold south, silver north, silver midwest, copper east, tin foil south-south east, and zinc north teams."
Mike D'Ignazio scored the goal the Red Army was desperately seeking a few minutes into the third, after he collected a feed from Hendricks and stuffed the puck five hole in tight. Then, with about eight minutes remaining, Collis intercepted a pass and scored his fourth of the game on a breakaway.
"Pistol [expletive] Pete," D'Ignazio said to no one in particular.
The Shockers scored their final goal of the season with a little more than four minutes to play, but the Soviets and fill-in goalie Ron Whaley were able to stave off their finals attacks. Hendricks tacked on an empty netter with under a minute to play, and just like that, the Soviets had punched their ticket to the dance.
"Can't wait for Thursday," Odell said. "Oh wait, it's here already!?! I love this Olympic-like coverage of the Red Army!"
THREE STARS:
3: Jason White
2: Mike D'Ignazio
1: Pete Collis
"At the end, honestly, I was just hoping that clock would hit zero," Mark Hendricks said. Hendricks who finished with two goals and two assists, wasn't overly pleased with his team's performance and expects to be better on Thursday. "We got complacent in the first. We scored a bunch of goals, then I think we went into a shell, stopped shooting, and let them back into the game. We were lucky the game ended when it did, because I don't know how much longer we could have held on. We'll need to be better against Trailside. We'll be better."
Though Hendricks is typically the Soviets' most leaned on offensive weapon, his performance on Sunday was dwarfed by that of Pete Collis, who exploded for four goals, three of which came in the opening period.
"I don't know what got into him," Pat King said, referring to his linemate Collis. "I think he got two in one shift. And on one he fired a shot, then got his own rebound and put it in. He just had that mojo going today. I don't know what he ate for breakfast or lunch, but he should have it again. And again. And again."
"It's great for him to finally get a goal," King added. "We saved the puck for him so he can remember his first."
Collis enthusiast Jason White started the scoring early in the first, scoring on a point shot that eluded Shocker fill-in netminder Dante George.
"See what you're limiting when you play with five defensemen?!?" White asked the overlooking spectators that lined the upstairs balcony. "Are you not entertained? Are you NOT entertained?!?" White then threw his stick toward the upstairs patrons, but the surrounding meshing blocked the projectile and repelled it back toward the rink where it landed in the visitor's penalty box."
Collis scored his first of the game a few minutes later to push the lead to 2-0. He collected a pass and fired his shot upstairs on George. Later, on the same shift, Collis received a pass from King and raced down the right wing, firing a low snap shot. George stopped the initial shot, kicking the puck out into the slot, but Collis was there for his own rebound and potted it on the backhand.
"That Collis is so hot right now," Tony Horton said.
Collis completed the natural hat trick later in the period on another innocent looking shot that snuck inside the post. It was the first natural hat trick scored by a Soviet in over two years.
"History, I make it," Collis said, boarding his rocket ship with six super models and enough Verdi Spumante to fill the Indian Ocean twice. "Now," Collis continued, "Let's go have sex on the moon!"
The Shockers struck to make it 4-1 with a few minutes remaining in the period, but on the ensuing face off, any momentum they had created was halted by Hendricks who scored on the ensuing faceoff to reclaim the four goal lead.
That would be the last of the Soviet offense for sometime, as the team retreated into a shell and allowed the Shockers back into the game, surrendering three second-period goals and seeing their lead whither to just one goal.
"It was definitely a wake up call," Aaron Duda said, referring to the Red Army on the verge of collapsing. "Proverbial wake up call I mean. My wake up call was at 6am this morning so I could play for my gold north, sold south, silver north, silver midwest, copper east, tin foil south-south east, and zinc north teams."
Mike D'Ignazio scored the goal the Red Army was desperately seeking a few minutes into the third, after he collected a feed from Hendricks and stuffed the puck five hole in tight. Then, with about eight minutes remaining, Collis intercepted a pass and scored his fourth of the game on a breakaway.
"Pistol [expletive] Pete," D'Ignazio said to no one in particular.
The Shockers scored their final goal of the season with a little more than four minutes to play, but the Soviets and fill-in goalie Ron Whaley were able to stave off their finals attacks. Hendricks tacked on an empty netter with under a minute to play, and just like that, the Soviets had punched their ticket to the dance.
"Can't wait for Thursday," Odell said. "Oh wait, it's here already!?! I love this Olympic-like coverage of the Red Army!"
THREE STARS:
3: Jason White
2: Mike D'Ignazio
1: Pete Collis
SФVIЗTS 4, PЦCК ЭШЗS 1
Last Thursday's Puck Ewes and Red Army game marked the fourth consecutive season in which the two teams have met in the division quarterfinals. On this occasion, the Puck Ewes were looking to pull off an upset over a team they've enjoyed recent playoff success against, having won two of the previous three playoff matches, while the Red Army was looking to avenge an early exit last season and continue their winning streak into the postseason.
As the game would unfold, the Soviets showed that they had no plans of packing things up prematurely this go-round. Backed by a stellar performance in net from Kevin Durkin and a Mark Hendricks hat trick, the Red Army defeated the Puck Ewes 4-1 to escape the first round.
"The first one is always the toughest," captain Steve Hand said after the game. "In the past, we've come out flat early on and maybe surrendered a goal or two that we wouldn't like. Then you're playing from behind and it alters your whole attack. We wanted to come out strong and play your game."
Hand, impressed with himself for giving an honest and candid interview, then ruined the moment by accidentally removing his boxer briefs while removing his cup, exposing himself to a team of nearby U12 female soccer players.
It is unclear at this moment if their childhood can be restored.
The Soviets got on the board first thanks to a missed call that came very late in the opening frame. With fifteen seconds remaining, the puck deflected off of a stick and into the mesh above the boards to the left of Durkin. Neither ref saw the puck make contact with the mesh and allowed play to continue. Hendricks retrieved the puck and backhanded a pass to Mike D'Ignazio who raced out of the defensive zone to center with Ryan Odell. D'Ignazio fired a shot that was steered to the side by the Puck Ewe netminder. Odell gathered the rebound and tried to jam the puck to the front, but he puck ricocheted off a stick and out into the slot where Hendricks had just arrived. Hendricks corralled the puck and fired a slow snap shot that snuck through the goaltender's pads a split second before the horn sounded to end the period.
"We got lucky about eight times on that goal," Hendricks said. "But, take what you can get, eh? I mean, she wasn't that big."
The Soviets were awarded a power play in the second period with a chance to build on the lead, but instead squandered it and surrendered the game-tying goal while shorthanded. The puck was mishandled at the point and a Puck Ewe skater was able to skate in all alone on Durkin and slip one past the Red Army goalie.
"Just got a bit too cute there," Odell said.
"Downright adorable," Aaron Duda added.
The Comrades rebounded quickly though, scoring on the ensuing shift after surviving a close call. Tony Horton became tangled up with Durkin while trying to clear the puck and nearly allowed a Puck Ewe forward to strip the puck from him with a gaping net. Horton was able to fire the puck around the boards to Hendricks, who then head-manned a pass to D'Ignazio. D'Ignazio gained the offensive zone and dropped the puck back to Hendricks, who was able to pick his corner and reclaim the lead.
Two minutes later Odell avenged his early misplay when he picked off an outlet pass near center and scored while being pulled down to increase the lead to 3-1.
"It was a pretty sick goal," Horton said.
"Downright adorable," Duda added.
With the two goal bulge going into the third, the Soviets realized the importance of not deviating from their defense-first approach.
"Goals come at a premium in the playoffs," Pat King said. "We had three at that juncture and we knew that with the way we were playing, if we continued playing the same way, three would be enough."
Simek echoed King's sentiments, saying, "Same!"
In the third, the Soviets practiced what they preached, forcing the Puck Ewes to play a 200 foot game. When the Puck Ewes were able to generate shots, they were mostly from the perimeter and easily stopped by Durkin. Hendricks delivered the kill blow with about six minutes remaining, intercepting a clearing pass before walking a defender and finding the roof on the goaltender to complete the hat trick.
The final minutes bled off the clock and the Soviets had advanced to round two.
"Bring on the Shockers," Durkin said. "Oh, by the way...."
THREE STARS:
3: Jason White
2: Tony Horton
1: Kevin Durkin
As the game would unfold, the Soviets showed that they had no plans of packing things up prematurely this go-round. Backed by a stellar performance in net from Kevin Durkin and a Mark Hendricks hat trick, the Red Army defeated the Puck Ewes 4-1 to escape the first round.
"The first one is always the toughest," captain Steve Hand said after the game. "In the past, we've come out flat early on and maybe surrendered a goal or two that we wouldn't like. Then you're playing from behind and it alters your whole attack. We wanted to come out strong and play your game."
Hand, impressed with himself for giving an honest and candid interview, then ruined the moment by accidentally removing his boxer briefs while removing his cup, exposing himself to a team of nearby U12 female soccer players.
It is unclear at this moment if their childhood can be restored.
The Soviets got on the board first thanks to a missed call that came very late in the opening frame. With fifteen seconds remaining, the puck deflected off of a stick and into the mesh above the boards to the left of Durkin. Neither ref saw the puck make contact with the mesh and allowed play to continue. Hendricks retrieved the puck and backhanded a pass to Mike D'Ignazio who raced out of the defensive zone to center with Ryan Odell. D'Ignazio fired a shot that was steered to the side by the Puck Ewe netminder. Odell gathered the rebound and tried to jam the puck to the front, but he puck ricocheted off a stick and out into the slot where Hendricks had just arrived. Hendricks corralled the puck and fired a slow snap shot that snuck through the goaltender's pads a split second before the horn sounded to end the period.
"We got lucky about eight times on that goal," Hendricks said. "But, take what you can get, eh? I mean, she wasn't that big."
The Soviets were awarded a power play in the second period with a chance to build on the lead, but instead squandered it and surrendered the game-tying goal while shorthanded. The puck was mishandled at the point and a Puck Ewe skater was able to skate in all alone on Durkin and slip one past the Red Army goalie.
"Just got a bit too cute there," Odell said.
"Downright adorable," Aaron Duda added.
The Comrades rebounded quickly though, scoring on the ensuing shift after surviving a close call. Tony Horton became tangled up with Durkin while trying to clear the puck and nearly allowed a Puck Ewe forward to strip the puck from him with a gaping net. Horton was able to fire the puck around the boards to Hendricks, who then head-manned a pass to D'Ignazio. D'Ignazio gained the offensive zone and dropped the puck back to Hendricks, who was able to pick his corner and reclaim the lead.
Two minutes later Odell avenged his early misplay when he picked off an outlet pass near center and scored while being pulled down to increase the lead to 3-1.
"It was a pretty sick goal," Horton said.
"Downright adorable," Duda added.
With the two goal bulge going into the third, the Soviets realized the importance of not deviating from their defense-first approach.
"Goals come at a premium in the playoffs," Pat King said. "We had three at that juncture and we knew that with the way we were playing, if we continued playing the same way, three would be enough."
Simek echoed King's sentiments, saying, "Same!"
In the third, the Soviets practiced what they preached, forcing the Puck Ewes to play a 200 foot game. When the Puck Ewes were able to generate shots, they were mostly from the perimeter and easily stopped by Durkin. Hendricks delivered the kill blow with about six minutes remaining, intercepting a clearing pass before walking a defender and finding the roof on the goaltender to complete the hat trick.
The final minutes bled off the clock and the Soviets had advanced to round two.
"Bring on the Shockers," Durkin said. "Oh, by the way...."
THREE STARS:
3: Jason White
2: Tony Horton
1: Kevin Durkin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)