SUNDAYS #7 vs. JAGUARS:

(vol. 22S, no. 7; newsletter by k.r.)
No shutout, but Harris lowered his goals against to a paltry 1.16 (unbelievable for a men's league) as the Pirates routed the Jags 6-1. The shortened bench had five players up front: Russ, Scott L.,Ralz, Dan D. and Glenn. The defense sported a three-man rotation of Kevin-Keith-Brian, but Harris said he preferred this to be shortened to just two of those players inside of the 3:00-minute mark from here on out (see below).

It would take the Pirates eight minutes to get on the board after Brian scored on a powerplay at the 14:00-minute mark of the 1st period when he took a pass out of the corner from Glenn. The special teams continued to roll when Russ again scored on the powerplay to make it 2-0, this time burying a rebound from a slapper from the point by Kevin. The Pirates would have a few more chances but the Jags held strong and played the rest of the 1st period to a draw. The Pirates knew that they could not let the Jags hang around and took this thought into the break.

The opportunity to open the game up came right at the top of final period. The Jags were assessed a penalty at the end of the 1st period so the Pirates started with a 2:00-minute powerplay, which had proved potent this night. This time around the powerplay lacked power, but only :20 seconds after it expired Keith took the puck end-to-end and cut in on the keeper for a shot that was initially blocked; Scott LeMatty, however, would hammer in the rebound for the first leg of what would be a natural hattrick. He scored about :90 seconds later on feed from Glenn and then completed his hattrick on another unassisted tally after that. With a comfortable 5-0 lead, all was going well for the Pirates and it looked like another doughnut for Harris.That was until the 2:30-minute remaining mark when the Jag wing took the puck and attacked the left side of the “defense” (see Harris' comment at beginning) and squeezed one past Harris. To add insult to injury, Russ scored with just two ticks left on the clock. From time-to-time we have all gotten on Glenn because sometimes he shoots from anywhere; it should be noted that he had three beautiful assists tonight, so let's give it up for him. Also, my spies tell me that the long lost Chris Goione was spotted skating at Dorbrook Sunday morning. He was looking as fluid as ever. Hopefully it won't be too much longer until his return to the lineup.
date of game: 7.24.05