The keg makes its appearance once again, bringing with it all the pomp and circumstance and free burgers that we have become accustomed to (I don't think they were the same burgers). Goalies are still in short supply, the Sticks needed a sub, Ryan Haley played two games, Brent Bryant gets two also, and I played four. My sources say that Nate Hodges may be giving up the bench for a place between the pipes. . . I can't imagine how much joy this will give many forwards throughout the league. The Blue Devils are poised to assume the role of a dynasty. With solid defense, quick forwards, and a new look in goal, it will be a tall order for any opponent to knock-off this power house. Congratulations to all of the Blue Devils.
Privateers 5, Brewzers 2
The night started with this offensive exhibition from the Privateers. After listening to Ellis' hooting and hollering for the entire first period, Jonathan Horton silences him with the first Privateer goal. The Brewzer's Steven Daniels is able to pierce the defense and net the tieing goal but Joel Bush puts the Privateers back on top before the period ends. In the third, Cody Payne begins his assault with two goals in the first minute. The Brewzers bring it to within two with the fine work of Ken Thomas, then with a little less than a minute and a half, pull their goalie for the win. Ryan Haley makes the stops demanded and Payne breaks free to ice the game with his hat trick empty net goal. Next season the Privateers will have to prove if they are an "elite" I-league team.
DFW Titans 3, Warriors 2, OT
A nail biter decided on the always polarizing overtime power play. Frank Casperson puts the Warriors up before the first minute passes, but the Titans answer with two from Scott Anderson and James Barber in quick succession. The Warriors even the score in the second with Grant Kline's goal. The third is not enough to resolve the deadlock as both Jake Jordan (Titans) and Phil Talley (Warriors) turn away all attempts keeping their save percentages above 90, until OT. Chuck Dolbee in desperation commits a tripping penalty and he gets caught. The Warriors kill-off half of the penalty but Lincoln Foster collects the game winner on an impressive possession, double assist goal. Phil's SP for the game drops below 90 with Foster's goal.
Grave Diggers 5, Snipers 1
The nights biggest goal differential to of all teams the Grave Diggers? Surreal! The Diggers looked like an NHL team with tape to tape passing, playmaking and smothering defense . . . okay, more like NHL all-star game defense, but better than any game from the Diggers so far. First period scoring has not been a problem for two weeks now, Scott Baldree and Randy Chappel both get goals for the Diggers in the first frame. In the second it's again all Grave Diggers, goals from Wil Dobson, Baldree, and Brian Lochkos to put the Diggers up five to nothing. Did I say the second was all Diggers? Well, almost, Jamil Al Jabri makes a shot through the swarm of Diggers following him all night and Manny Zamora pounces on the rebound with a snap shot through Ellis' five hole to steal away the shut-out. The third passes with only a penalty to note, and the Diggers finish the session strong (again), will it translate into a strong session?
Moose 7, Chiefs 4
Eleven goals! The Moose win! The Moose win! It was back and forth for two and a half periods. Gabriel Rivera and Rich Wojcio score goals for the Moose, then Ryan Brett and Tom Harnitchek put up two for the Chiefs (the first one, a shorty). The Moose take a lead out of the first with Rich's second. The Chiefs start the second with Troy Clarkson's goal and Catherine Levesque restores the Moose lead before the period ends. Lee Morgan makes the tying goal at the one minute mark of the third. The period half over, the Moose find their second wind and nearly double their offensive output for the entire game with three goals, two from Matt Campbell interrupted by another from Levesque. If this is a new page in the Moose playbook, then next session should turn out a much different record. Then again, these strong finishes can be deceptive.
Blue Devils 2, Iceholes 0
The big game abounds with controversy. Blubaugh transitions from losing to the Devils last week to their starter this week, a goalie some claim to have made an appearance in the CHL fills-in for the Holes, and of course with refs on the ice . . . The first period sees these two defensive powers butt heads without any result on the scoreboard. Both teams take penalties and kill them off with their signature patience. In the intermission, Blubaugh chides his teammates, for scoring on him last week and giving him nothing tonight, in particular Charlie Heine. Chuck takes it to heart and crashes the net with reckless abandon, breaking his stick, but getting that goal, just 35 seconds into the period. The Devils fall back into their defensive shell, the Holes, lead by Jon Bird, come-up short time and again, despite many scoring chances. The third is a continuation of the defensive stand, eventually resulting in the pulling of the Icehole's much maligned goalie, Greg Titler, but the only yield is a goal another against, as the Blue Devils collect another Keg victory. Nate Hodges, Blue Devil coach, admits that stability at goalie is the difference between his bid for the Keg this year and last year. Shut-up, Nate.
Patriots 3, Stickmen 1
On the other side of the building the Sticks were searching for a goalie, Komets tender Brent Bryant, ably steps in for the missing Blubaugh. Steve Benefield creeps down from the point to score the Patriot's first goal, and in the second the Sticks get it back with the play of Rich Duval. Before the period ends, however, the Pats regain the lead with another defenseman's goal, coordinator, Les York. With the pressure building in the third, and only a one goal lead, Rahul Sharma ditches his date and shows-up for a goal at the close of the period . . . that's what Pointstreak claims anyway.
Spiders 3, Silverwings 1
The Spiders are on a streak now, is this related to the roster moves? Bill Wessel starts off the scoring for the Spiders before the first minute ticks off the clock. The Spiders further demonstrate there skill by killing-off a five on three, generating more shots in that time than the Wings. Alex Atkins puts up another for the Spiders in the second. The Silverwings wouldn't be subdued so easily, Chris Arendall puts a rebound in the net to bring his team within one. The third was tight with the Silverwings putting all of their efforts into stealing away the win, but efforts from Brookman, Howard, and Castillo ending in heartbreak. Silverwing Goalie, Topher McPherson, makes the most of his trip down from Grapevine, but eventually succumbs to the Spider's onslaught, Mike Reeves gets the cushion goal, and the Spiders hold off the Wings for the win.
Komets 2, Puckers 0
Patrick Donaghue and Brent Bryant put up amazing performances in what should have been an eight goal shoot-out. I wish I could have seen this one, games like this do not translate well to scoresheets. The first goal for the Komets goes to Wil Dobson in the first period. In the closing minutes of the second he beats Donaghue again. But the real story is this, not only does Bryant post a shut-out on 27 shots but the unbelievable Patrick Donaghue turns away 44 of the 46 shots he faced. The Komets should get more credit for their conditioning than their shooting.
I hope everyone had a good time, sorry I didn't get my camera to the rink. The Awards . . . I would like to post them, but the simple fact is, the Privateers are the only ones who made an effort to vote, so all of the awards would be going to various Privateers. I may post them later. Congratulations 'Teers!
