Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen

The building excitement tonight was thick, choking, palpable, only the true I-league heroes would survive, here is their story...

Players of the week:
Alex Eysermans, 3 goals in 2 games (game tying and overtime goal for the win)
Eric Johnson, 2 goals
Tim Brady, 2 goals

Goalie of the week:
Mike Moore .889 save percentage is not the best stat for the week, but if you saw the game you wouldn't argue.

honorable mention to Patrick Donaghue


Puckers 1, Snipers 2 (Vegas: Puckers 4, Snipers 3)

The amazing Patrick Donaghue vows to finish the session. Scoring was no where near expected and it looked like the Solitary goal from Chris Kirton, halfway through the second would stand-up. The Snipers were out shooting the Puckers but Donaghue had an answer for every one. As the third started it was plain to see that Patrick's shoulder was weighing heavy on his game. Within two minutes the score was tied as everyone's favorite pesky winger Kevin Cook sets up the goal for Jesse Henderson (the phrase "sets up" is used loosely as Kevin seems to have no idea what he is about to do). With plenty of time left in the third, Chris Davis scores the lead change with the help of Jesse Henderson (he's a scorer, he's a playmaker, Where has he been before tonight?). But tonight the Puckers fall short and limp to the final buzzer, win number two for the Snipers, a streak?

Spiders 3, Komets 2 (Vegas: Spiders 3, Komets 1)

No surprises here, the Komets are still floundering and the Spiders are strong as ever. Kris Navarro nets the first arachnid goal on the Pete Clark assist. Just over a minute later Pete takes the puck coast to coast and tallies a single handed goal for the cushion. The Komets don't let the period end without returning some pushin' Dustin Nation, a consistent scorer, brings it within one. The second is filled with... one penalty, nothing else. The Spiders pour it on in the third, Patty Greco to Freddy Gilbert. Andrew Patti gets a little over zealous protecting the lead and gives the Komets a power play, which they cannot take advantage of. With almost two minutes left Rich Duval brings the Komets to the brink but no one follows his lead. The Komets never even get the opportunity to pull their goalie in the face of the Spider's offense.

Stickmen 4, Grave Diggers 1 (Vegas: Stickmen 4, GD 1)

I hear a lot of people lost a lot of money on this match-up, the so-called experts judged the spread to be too small, and many saw a shut-out in the cards. Alex Eysermans gets credit for the ugly goal in the first as it slithered and bounced off of everything on the rink before crawling through Jon Ellis' five hole. But the shooting on both ends of the rink goes for naught for 18 minutes. At the commencing of the third period Blubaugh blinks and loses the lead to Alex Atkins on the pass from "ER's" Anthony Edwards (got his autograph, loved him on Northern Exposure). It looked like it would be one for the ages as both tenders made spectacular save after spectacular save, not so. Ellis withers under the pressure, surrendering the net to Brad Bynum, and twice to Timothy Schmidt. The sceptics are saying it may be point shaving. Blubaugh says "You got what you deserved, Ellis, it's karma". There's no telling how big this thing is.

Warriors 3, Blue Devils 2 (Vegas: Blue Devils 3, Warriors 2)

The Warriors have little regard for the opening periods, but who can complain with only one loss on the record. Of course the early lead goes to the surging Blue Devils. Bobby Michaelides made the initial save on Ryan Wacker's shot but he can't hang on to the rebound. After fumbling a cover, and muffing a clear attempt, Ryan regains control and sends a beauty from an inch off the goal line through the posts, top shelf. It would prove to be a meaningless score. Ryan made most of his impact in the box. The Warriors get a rare first period goal (Eric Johnson), BD then wrestles back the lead on a shorty from Patrick Maddocks. For most teams this would mean the end, not the Warriors. Battling back in their favorite period, Eric nets another, followed by Clark Sandlin. The Blue Devils collected 14 minutes worth of penalties (with Olsen, he let's everything go!) they needed a couple more shorthanded goals, no small task against the Warriors.

Patriots 2, Iceholes 1 (Vegas: Patriots 3, Iceholes 1)

Iceholes goalie, Mark Johnson, was on fire. He had to be. Shots from every corner of the rink all end up in his possession. The Patriots keep coming at him but the first goal goes to the Iceholes. On a breakaway allowed by the bloodthirsty Patriot offense, Mark Dunning undresses Jon Ellis, putting it easily between the post and his prone left leg. The second ended and hockey savant Troy Ramsey puts the Patriots on his back grabbing the Sabrina York rebound and driving it home before a minute passes in the third. Ellis manages to stop the few shots headed his way, and Johnson does the same, except for one tiny rebound. A shot that burrowed through his elbow and landed lifeless at his right hip. Bryan Brookman pounces, Johnson never saw it coming. The Icehole's hopes for a comeback die as they collect a two minute interference penalty with 2:03 left on the clock.

Brewzers 3, Army of the Twelve Monkeys 2, OT, Shoot-out (Vegas: ATM 6, Brewzers 1!)

Who saw this coming? The winless Brewzers shock the world in the last game of the evening, like a movie script. 1980 all over again. In a beautiful game, A. J. Fierrero takes the only penalty of the game, a high sticking, half way through the opening frame. ATM keeps the Brewzers out of the net for those two minutes, but back at even strength, Jamil Al Jabri locks and loads and puts the Brewzers on track for a terrific upset. Tim Brady scores in the second, again in the third, the indomitable Brewzers counter with Alex Eyserman's reckoning. The glass in the crossbar was rattling throughout the remainder of regulation, then the over time. The contest would be decided by two men, Phil Talley, a keg veteran, and Mike Moore, carrying the weight of five consecutive losses. Shooters lined up for their chance at history. Phil and Mike turned away the requisite three calling out for more. Alex Eysermans, who brought his team to this juncture, finally imposes his will on the dumbfounded Talley. The Army of the Twelve Monkeys had only one opportunity to save what was left of their dignity, Mike Moore was at a crossroads. Tim Brady took the gamepiece at center ice, carried it down to the net and tried to deke Moore out of position, and ended by putting it into Mike's gear. Pandemonium!


What an incredible conclusion for an otherwise lackluster night. If you left early you missed a legendary I-league moment. Let that be a lesson to all of you.

bcIII