SUNDAYS #4 vs. BLIZZARD:

(vol. 10S, no. 4; newsletter by c.g.)
The Pirates ended their four game mini-season with a game against the rival Blizzard last night. Even with perennial alternate Keith Richardson and a fresh new alternate in Mike "the red-helmeted guy who used to play on the Flukes" on defense, the Pirates could only ice eight skaters for the 5 p.m. finale.

The 1st period was the usual feeling-out affair with neither team being really dominant offensively. As is always the case with the Blizzard, the play tended to be more of the physical nature; the physical play lead to both teams having to kill a few penalties throughout the 1st period, however, the score remained tied at 0-0 at the end of the 1st.

At the start of the 2nd the Pirates would get on the board quickly, as Jimmy Ferraro would make a nifty pass from the corner to a streaking Scott LeMatty, for the one-timer score. Having let up the goal, the Blizzard tried to draw the game even again, and picked up their play throughout the period. Even though the Blizzard had several quality attempts, Harris was able to keep them off the board, helped by the strong defense of Richardson, Weiss and Mike "the red-helmeted guy who used to play on the Flukes." Still, despite a wealth of opportunities for the Pirate offense, the 1-0 score would carry into the second intermission.

The 3rd period loomed large as obviously the next goal would be critical. Ralz, who was part of the five-man offensive rotation, would tally the next goal shortly into the period (Ralz on his critical goal: "I was shocked the puck went in the net on my goal. I tracked down the puck against the boards just above the circle and turned and fired an off-balance shot at the net. The goalie had it between his arm and chest, but I guess there was enough umph to squeeze by him.  Lucky me!!!.") On a play that was not credited with an assist, Ralz corralled a loose puck after a Pirate offensive flurry in front of the net, and blasted one by the Blizzard netminder. The goal proved even larger, as it seemed to take a little of the wind out of The Blizzard's sail the rest of the way. With a two-goal lead, the Pirates clamped down on the defense, to try to keep the shut-out intact. Late in the game, Goione would add another tally as the puck glanced off the top of his stick and s..l..o..w..l..y rolled over the sprawled goalie's back (ugly, but I'll take it). The goalie did make a tremendous final save at the buzzer, as Chris put a nice pass on the tape of Jimmy's stick for a one-timer rocket that was gloved-down as time expired.