SUNDAYS #2 vs. DIRE WOLVES:

(vol. 21S, no. 2; newsletter by c.g.)
The Pirates met up with the Dire Wolves for their second of four games of the season, and the second time in as many games to start the Spring season. To say that these two teams will be familiar with each other is probably a bit of an understatement.

The Pirates scored four times in each period for a lopsided 8-3 final tally, but don't let the score fool you — the Dire Wolves have some good players, and this team will not be an automatic win each time we face them. Dan got things started when he took a pass in the slot from a puck-rushing Scooby; Scooby eluded three defenders on the play to feather the pass across to Dan for the one-timer and the 1-0 lead at the 14:00-minute mark. The Wolves tied things up six minutes later when Brooks (he was playing, not reffing) scored moments after his initial breakaway was stopped. Mike broke the tie (assist to Wildman) to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead and opened-up the Pirate scoring floodgates. Scooby then scored his own goal (assist to Glenn) to widen the lead to 3-1, and finally Russ tallied the last goal of the period and gave the Pirates a comfortable 4-1 lead at the break. The Pirates defense was contributing mightily to the offensive side of the score sheet, but they also did a great job of breaking up plays when the Wolves would pressure.

In the final period, #19 would get called for a “too many men on the ice” penalty, when he failed to quickly exit the play surface; instead of this being a liability, the Pirates turned it into a windfall as they scored two shorthanded goals during the penalty kill. First, Glenn Farkas stole a puck and raced in alone for the breakaway tally. Next, Russ added his second of the evening (another assist from Scooby) to bolster the Pirate lead to 6-1. Scooby wasn't done piling-up the points though, as he again combined with Glenn for his second goal of the night. The Dire Wolves were having little success on the offensive side of the ice, but did manage to score twice in the period. On the first play Brooks and #19 lined-up for the face-off to the left of Harris; Brooks just flat out beat #19 for the one-timer and his second goal of the night (ironically just seconds before the face-off, Mike turned to Harris and said prophetically: “You have the shot”). With just a few minutes remaining, the Wolves had a bit more luck when a slapshot just caught the inside of the crossbar. Lastly, Scott LeMatty would add his name to the score sheet late in the period when he tried to center a pass from the corner, but it rebounded off the goalie and in for the final tally of the night. And what about Gucci you ask? For the first time in Pirate vs. Gucci play, he was held scoreless. In the end it was a one-sided victory, but as I said earlier that team has too many good players to let these types of games continue.
date of game: 4.03.05