SUNDAYS #5 vs. RAGE:

(vol. 5S, no. 5; newsletter by h.s.)
After last week's Sunday debacle, this was a great example of regrouping for us. We outskated the Rage and had an inordinate amount of puck possession throughout the game. If not for some stellar goaltending by the Rage, this could have been a rout; still, it took us nearly half of the 1st period to get on the board. We won a defensive zone faceoff (something we've been vulnerable on) and the puck scrambled to Russ who skated to center and headmanned the puck to an open Scott LeMatty. Scott blasted the shot in for the 1-0 lead at the 7:07-remaining mark in the 1st. Scott would add a second goal at the end of the period when Dan DiPierro shuffled a pass in front to Scott for the 2-0 lead. We'd carry that into the 1st break.

More great defense (thanks to Dave, Roger and all the guys — like Ralz, Scooby, etc — who covered for them when they were pressing) came in the 2nd. Our closest call came when the Rage pinged a slapshot of both posts (but no goal).

In the 3rd, Roger gave a skating exhibition when he wandered all over the offensive zone with the puck until he finally ended-up behind the Rage net and found an open Scooby in front for the goal. We held that 3-0 lead until late in the 3rd, when a Rage forward gunned one from the point which again bounced off the far crossbar, but this time hit the floor and went in (I guess you can only be “saved by the post”once per game). Scott finished up the night's scoring when he slammed-dunk a loose puck with time running out to complete his hattrick. All-in-all, a great team game.

WON 4-1

THE
SILVER
SKULLS

1) SCOTT LeMATTY
For his three goal effort (making him the 6th Pirate to accomplish that feat — Jimmy, Rob, Russ, Glen Farkas and Scott Miller are the others).

2) DAVE MATTHEWS
For outstanding “D” throughout — one of his best outings (which made my job a lot easier!)

3) DAN DiPIERRO
For tenacious offense and assisting on the GWG.