1,2,3... Week Eight Recap

More upsets, birthday good will, pursuits of perfection. So much drama.

Players of the week:
Kent Gordon 2 goals, 1 assist
Geoffrey Goodson 2 assists
Scottie Baldree 2 assists

Goalie of the week:
It gives me much pleasure to announce, Jon Ellis with a shut-out victory on 34 shots.


Snipers 2, Brewzers 0

Sarah Buckner, coordinator for the Snipers, was in an auto accident and did not make the game. I understand she is okay. Mike Moore, Brewzer goalie, called in sick. Best of wishes to both of them, hope to see you back on the ice soon. The Snipers had one night left without their starting netminder Nick Murphee (still on the honeymoon) and fill-in goalie Jon Ellis finally puts out a decent performance. The Snipers were having a very difficult night pulling any offense together, finding themselves out shot 13 to 1 at the end of the first (not a ratio, actual shot total). Near the midpoint of the game Chris Hale (Ahem...) lifts the load entirely onto Ellis' shoulders with his unassisted goal. The Brewzers, to a man (or woman) threw everything they had at the limping Snipes, especially back-up goalie Phil Garlow. Never loosening his grip, Garlow would make sure that the Snipers would beat him with nothing less than a shut-out. Jon Ellis keeps up his end, despite the ardent efforts of Jamil "crash" Al Jabri (Ellis must have been saving up). By the time the Brewzers left the ice, giving up an empty netter, they had tallied 34 shots but not a one of them can find the back of the net.

Puckers 3, Iceholes 2

Another upset in a session filled with so many, Jason Jones chooses to play outside the net, a decision he regrets? The Puckers netminder continues with the same sort of play we have all come to expect, with the help of an incredible shooting spree (eleven whole shots) they manage to outscore the formerly defensively unmatched Iceholes. A slow start to a clean game, the Puckers are first to make it on the board after more than nine minutes. Kent Gordon, unsatisfied with a secondary assist on the first goal, gets his second point and first goal early in the second only to see the cushion vanish in seconds when Donaghue allows Mark Dunning, of the Holes to steal his shut-out. Renewing the Puckers resolve with his efforts throughout the remainder of the period, Donaghue is re-granted the cushion less than a minute into the third with Gordon's second goal. But they would not be able to rest till the final buzzer. The Puckers bend but don't break, one more goal (Dembroski) is all the Holes can manage against the clutch Puckers.

Komets 3, Grave Diggers 1

The Komets pull this one out without their headcoach. They collect the first score of the game on the powerplay as a rebound pops over Ellis' (back to his old ways) head. Ellis tries to hold his team in and does (for a while). An unbelievable bit of playmaking in the third by the Grave Digger's Randy Chappel as he draws Komet's tender Brent Bryant out on the shot then puts the pass across to the waiting Bob Sirkis. Sirkis displays the kind of veteran feat that his age would imply, and nails the onetimer. The game tied and destined for overtime is wrestled back into control by Alex Atkins, with a great against the grain, over the glove shot late in the third. The Komets then toy with the Digger's minds causing Raul Gilbreath to push an idle puck between his own goalie's legs. Who can blame him, Raul can never beat Ellis when they're in opposite jerseys. Diggers tally another moral victory, actual wins: 0.

Stickmen 3, Warriors 1

The Sticks are a machine, all the opponents line up and they all fall down. Now with eight wins they only need to defeat the Warriors (in the form of ATM) one more time to achieve a perfect record for the regular session. Utilizing their mechanical nature they score one goal in each of the periods, Blubaugh receives only one blemish on a late goal by Travis Lehr, who then retreats to the box. Apparently part of the fun tonight was for all rostered Stickmen with a name starting with an "L" get a score. Lynne Young gets her first, Larry Wade adds to his total, then Lee Miller (mercenary?) grabs the last. Plenty of penalties with the edge to the Warriors. I hope they were taking notes for next weeks match-up. Maybe it will be letter "D" then Damon Flores and Dave Blubaugh will have to score all the goals.

Army of the Twelve Monkeys 2, Spiders 1

The Spiders are fading fast. The Monkeys need to shoot 35 times to come up with the two goals needed to win. No problem. Pat Gallagher is beaten by ATM in the first at the hands of Craig Newland, and the second by Eric Johnson. The Spiders kill off a penalty at the start of the third and then Kris Navarro scores a goal, leaving nine minutes to equal the Monkeys. Momentum swings and then slowly peters off, a penalty for each team late and no more scoring, ATM wins. The Monkeys appear to be tooling up for the playoffs, knocking-off the pretender Spiders, feeling-out the Stickmen. A change in their m.o. also: early goals. It has been awhile since a Monkey game wasn't decided by a late goal on their behalf. Next week will be the barometer, an instant classic no doubt.

Patriots W, Blue Bevils Forfiet

The Blue Devils grant Les York's Birthday wish and give him the night off and a win. A few Pats did have to show up to formally collect the win and in the ensuing grab-ass, Ellis shoots a puck directly into Mel's rib cage. I guess she earned this win after all, sorry Mel...

bcIII