Another new team? All of the results make it to Pointstreak. Privateers get a Euless welcome. Diggers get a win?
Stickmen(2-1-0) 1, Spiders(1-2-0) 0
It took just two minutes and twelve seconds for Damon Flores to net the game winner in this game with a sweet screen/deflection past Spider's goalie Nina Bonifaz. The Sticks then show complete faith in their netminder and allow a nearly two for one shooting differential. They even go so far as to earn all of the games penalties (six minutes). But Blubaugh pulls (more than) his weight, gaining a shut-out victory on twenty-nine shots. I guess that confidence is deserved, it doesn't hurt that the Spider's bench was half full (half empty?).
Blue Devils(2-1-0) 5, DFW Titans(1-2-0) 3
The first period was all Titans, the Blue Devil's net was empty. Lincoln Foster gets two goals, Jake Jordan one. The Titans were riding high on a three goals to none advantage when David Blubaugh showed up on the scene. With the net secure the Devils put a hurtin' on the Titans. Five goals in seven minutes including a hat trick from Joshua Schechter. By the time the third period rolled around both teams were gassed but not enough that the Devils couldn't stave off Dan Glein's (1 goal, 2 assists) double minor. Titans will have to turn on their power play next time.
Brewzers(2-1-0) 2, Puckers(1-2-0) 0
Both teams show up with short benches but the Brewzers bring the only man they needed: Ken Thomas. In the first period he beats Donaghue single handed. He would have to wait until the third to net the only other goal of the game. It was Patrick Donaghue making a gargantuan effort to keep his Puckers in it, sometimes he looked to be the only one. The rest of the team collects thirty-two minutes of penalties including two game misconducts, apparently Constantine can't handle being left off of the scoresheet. I would be angst ridden too if they named a crappy movie after me (mental note: google film names). For his part, Mike Moore seems to be putting his demons behind him. Two wins in a row for the Brewzers, who saw that coming?
Warriors(1-2-0) 3, Komets(0-3-0) 2
The Komets start off strong, with two goals (M. Gallagher, Gigliotta) and own the first period. Never fear, the Warriors are very used to playing from behind (just ask about that Lehr Mindo shower incident) and in their usual fashion, the offense starts clicking. With Chuck "Hansen" Dolbee's goal at the end of the first, and Sean Griffin's tieing score at the beginning of the third, the stage was set for Travis Lehr to net the dramatic unassisted game winner. Brent Bryant was overwhelmed as his defense chased and screened in front and could only stop 21 of the 24 shots.
Patriots(3-0-0) 2, Snipers(2-1-0) 1
Two periods of skating preceded this amazing, exciting, crazy eleven minute game. Long after Mike Moore made his five for five appearance, Rahul Sharma (known for playing fast and loose) decides to skate the puck up between his own net and two Snipers, a gap of about six inches. Who would have imagined that it would end with the puck in his own net? With the performance of starting goalie Matt Sexton in the Sniper net it looked like this bonehead goal would hold-up. It took the best of the Patriot playmaking to fling one past him to tie it up, but in keeping with the fluky night, Brad Allen gets an easy one past Sexton for the lead. With the game in hand, Ellis (known for playing fast and loose) decides to throw a pass to Jamil Al Jabri from the top of the right circle to center ice. With less than ten seconds on the clock, Steve Benefield makes the save for Ellis and the Pats secure their third win in a team effort.
Iceholes(3-0-0) 2, Privateers (2-1-0) 1
The Holes give that Euless welcome with a good swift kick in the Privateers! Jon Bird scores early with a sweet deke to Ryan Haley's back side, and the Privateers rally round with aggressive puck possesion. The Holes looked just as staunch leaving observers wondering if the refs were watching the game at all. It takes until the third period for anyone else to score, and it's Cody Payne who evens it up for the Privateers... Only to see the Iceholes grab it back fifteen seconds later (Jon Bird, again). After turning a blind eye to the violence in the first thirty two minutes of play, the refs put the Privateers on the power play. But the Holes have never quivered at the prospect of holding a one goal lead and manage to hold-off all six privateers for the remaining minute with only their four skaters. IN YO' FACE DUNCANVILLE!
Silverwings(3-1-0) 5, Moose(0-1-0) 1
A lot of people have been asking me,"Whatever happened to Sergio Castillo?". I know it's frustrating, he seems to be in the bar after the games but is he playing? Well, wonder no more. Sergio scores unassisted at thirty three seconds into the first then finishes the Jason Neal play for his second goal. In the first minute of the second he is the trigger man for Sharma and Brookman, then does his own thing to collect his fourth goal. I think at this point he went up to the cross bar leaving the game in the hands of the remaining Silverwings. Roy Haenselman spoils the shut-out. Oh, and Corey Howard scores, also. The Moose (Mooses? Meese? Moosai?) missed out on their practice session, better luck next time.
Gravediggers(1-2-0) 2, Chiefs(0-2-1) 1, OT
Somebody had to win. Ben Stillwagon, the only hope for a Chief win, puts up a stupendous effort, but the puck seldom leaves his end of the ice. It's Randy Chappel who gets the fortunate bounce and puts the Diggers in the unfamiliar position of protecting a lead. But they play the roll well... For all but the final thirty seconds of regulation. With an empty net, Coach Nate Hodges devises an ingenious isolation, screen shot and with Ryan Brett in front of the Diggers net all alone, he deftly deflects Lee Morgan's shot in on Jon Ellis. With the previous periods of play as a pattern, it looked as if this game could go all night. But the hockey gods smile (for once) on the Diggers and Stillwagon is handcuffed halfway through the over time period by Joel Gigliotta. Will Stillwagon ever get his much deserved win? Yeah, this is I-league.
