(vol.
6W, no. 2; newsletter by b.n.)
Faced with the worst heat yet inside the rink, a shortened 8-man bench and
an A-division opponent, we had our hands full last night. I'm pleased to
say that we played with tenacity and team spirit that shocked the refs (more
than once they told me we were playing amazing) and our rival (in between
the 2nd and 3rd, a Howell Star skated to our bench and said the same thing).
Unfortunately, by the 3rd period, I think we had pretty much played all
our cards.
Here's the recap: It took the Stars most of the 1st period to get on the
board. They scored on a rebound for the 1-0 lead — the only goal of
the 1st period. In the 2nd, the Stars went up 2-0 when they won an offensive-zone
face-off (still our weakest link in our playbook) back to Downey who fired
one from the point; I might've been able to stop that shot, but a last second
deflection by their forward gave them a two-goal lead.
Not too long after, Nick raced up ice from his defensive position (where
he was blocking a bunch of shots); he was taken down as he crossed the blueline
but got the puck to Wildman who wristed one shortside on John Arena for
the 2-1 score — we were on the board! We took that momentum into the
2nd break.
At this point, the heat was taking its toll on us and the Stars came out
early in the 3rd with a barrage of one-timers and rebounds — all of
which were finding the twine. They went up 5-1 when Big Jim got a hold of
a loose puck at center and muscled one in for our second goal of the night,
and the 5-2 score. The Stars kept coming though, and before the final horn
gratefully sounded, tallied two more goals. Although the final score doesn't
really reflect it, it was a great effort by all (special kudos to Glenn
Farkas and Nick for substituting)!
THE
SILVER
SKULLS
1) JIM
CROWLEY
For 2.5 periods Jim was doing it all (even scoring). Unfortunately, one of
his daughters wasn't feeling well so Jim had to exit before the finale.
2)
JOHN CASSENS
For his first of the season and the spoiler on the shutout.
3)
BRIAN KLEIMAN
For lots of work up front, and being a general nuisance to the Stars when
they tried the open-ice passes.
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