. . . And So It Begins

The opening round is in the books and the championship games are a mix of old and new faces. The anti-keg culminates in the once laughable Grave Diggers battling the master Chiefs, still undefeated. In the glorious Keg match, the Privateers have pulled themselves from the doldrums of Duncanville to the zenith of all I-leagues in just under a year. The Patriots are again in the Keg game, but the Blue Devils are in their rear view mirror for the first time in recent memory. So much to look forward to. . .

minor

Warriors (5-3-1) 0
Grave Diggers (7-2-0) 3


After a long absence Ron Edwards makes a triumphant return, his sandbagging before the game ultimately yields the first goal for the Diggers, late in the first on the power play- and the second late in the third shorthanded. Bruce Davis caps-off the scoring. Bobby Michaelides faces thirty-three shots from the fiery Diggers but gets no support from his Warrior mates. Only shut-out in the opening round- Ah Yeah. . .

Chiefs (9-0-0) 4
Puckers (4-4-1) 1


Nine victories, only one away from Nadia Comaneci. The Red Machine entered the arena with confidence having fought a close one against the Chiefs in their last meeting, and this time they would have Patrick Donaghue back in net. . . Ben Stillwagon perforates the legendary net minder first, followed by a power play goal from Rich Wojcio, a goal from Ryan Brett, and another from Stillwagon. The Puckers still had a full third period to rally but their shots come at a two to one pace with the Chiefs and produce only one goal late in the game, that being from Jason Adams. There will be no repeat in the anti-Keg.

Mutineers (3-6-0) 2
Shockers (4-5-0) 7


Shockers should make quite an impact on the future I-league evolution. Ryan Haley is pelted giving-up four unanswered goals to the Shocker strikers: two to Joe King, one to Matt Russell, and one to Michael Davis. The Mutineers finally get on the board when Kevin McGlaun and Ryan Lewis cut the lead in half. . . But the call to abandon ship cannot be stifled and the Shockers hit them broadside with three straight from Matt Russell, one on the power play. The Mutineers live up to their name- at least for this session. Sleeper in this game- Susie Rain, four assists.

Ice Holes (0-8-1) 2
Silverwings (4-3-2) 3


Raul Gilbreath showed-up three hours early to mentally prepare for this game and it seemed to be working, he scores the first Hole goal but the period ends in a tie when Ryan Kelley scores for the Wings. Raul fire back with an assist to teammate Nichole Palomar, for the lead. In the third, the Silverwings unveil a play-off ready Chris Arendall and with two whips of the stick, he wins the game. Never fear, the Holes have one more shot at gaining one win.


MAJOR

Whalers (1-10-0) 2
LSI (4-5-2) 6


The Imports deliver a whoopin', Linda Mason leads the charge, but Brian Flaschbart counters for the Whalers. Two LSI goals (Gabe Rivera, Cliff Bogle) end the period on an Import high. Flaschbert wields the harpoon again leaving a one goal lead for the Imports. . . LSI puts a press on Flaschbert and fires another shot from Rivera, then a goal from Cameron Bogle, then a goal from Cory Cooper. The Whalers are on the endangered list.

Brewzers (2-9-0) 1
Snipers (2-7-0) 4


Jamil Al Jabri captains his Brewzers to an early lead, scoring the first goal. The sister Snipers get an ugly goal from Alex Eysermanns to tie the game. Matt Walker faces only three shots through two periods but proves himself as a starter in the third holding out all nine attempts in the final frame, while at the other end the Snipers pick apart the Brewzer defense and score with Chris Davis, Ed Vogel, and Eysermanns (again). The Brewzers could do with a change in net.

Komets (5-5-1) 2
Canadiens (6-3-0) 4


The play-offs are where veterans show what they're made of- hockey sense, conditioning, drive, and both of these teams have it. The Komets lead with a goal from Scottie Baldree, and the Canadiens counter with one from Young Kim. The Komets regain the lead with a goal from Wil Dobson and then the Canadiens tie it once more when Kim strikes again. But the story of the game is the third period. A long session takes its toll and the Komets don't have anything left- Catherine Levesque wins the game and Chris Walter kills the Komet spirit.

Blue Devils (6-5-0) 1
Patriots (9-1-1) 2


A strange chapter in Euless history, the Pats defeat the Devils in the post season. Jay Peters has had a thorn in his side named Ellis, all session long, and in the first period he gets his relief and the Devils get the lead. In the second the penalties started, and the Pats get a morale boost tying the game in a five on five moment with a goal from John Newell. Steve Benefield sinks the winner in the first shift of the third, and the Penalties really picked-up with the lead change, eventually leading to the ejection of Patriot forward (covering on d, tonight) John Newell. Stats in this game are virtually identical, no wonder there was so much emotion.

Privateers (9-0-0) 4
Ice Bats (8-3-0) 1


The other side of the Keg. Brian "Dragon Hockey" Zientek starts things off for the 'Teers, but Karl Moser cancels his goal with an Ice Bat tally. The Privateers end the first with the lead thanks to Patrick Haley. Cody Payne adds to the lead in the middle frame and Joel Bush seals the deal for the Weird Beards, a date with the Keg is their destiny. So is a loss! Eric Petty, if you're listening, you may not be skating for the Keg next week but you are off the hook for that duet with me- once again I fail to string together my Karaoke Dream.

Spiders (5-5-1) 1
Stickmen (6-4-1) 3


The late game fizzles. The Sticks get two goals in the first from Alex Eysermanns, in a spurt from the Spiders, Arvin Manalo gets the arachnids as close to the lead as they would sniff. Even on the power play, the Spiders give-up another goal to the Stickmen, Brad Bynum gets the credit. Then in the third period. . . nothing. No lead changes, no running-up the score, just a few more penalties. What is this, intramural league? Oh. . . I guess it is.