WEDNESDAYS #10 vs. BIG SLICK:

(vol. 43W, no. 10; newsletter by h.s.)
For 30 minutes the Pirates were Champions. For 30 minutes the Pirates once again upset the No.1 seed to claim back-to-back League Titles. For 30 minutes the Pirates foiled the offensive force that went 7-1 during the regular season.

Then something happened.

It started with a defensive zone turnover that ended-up on the blade of Rizzo from point blank. Then 5:00-minutes later the Slick's forecheck was once-again rewarded, and all of sudden the 2-goal lead that the Pirates had evaporated. With 6:00-minutes remaining it was now all tied-up, but you could feel the momentum had shifted. The Slick wasn't frustrated anymore ... and that was a problem.The great 1st period plays of the KennyG-Marty-Miller line (that had capitalized on opportunistic chances for the only goals before the break) seemed like distance memories.

By the time the Slick slipped in what would be the gamewinner — another called-for puck at the edge of our crease that just skidded through my pads — it was done. We played a spirited final 4:00-minutes, but Tony was leading the crusade now (probably still upset about being called a “Lady” in last week's newsletter) and helped put in their fourth goal in 16:00-minutes and then kill off the remaining clock.

It was an exciting season and comebacks — like the two overtime thrillers in the previous two weeks — were almost commonplace for our gritty squad. Unfortunately the final comeback on this season would not be ours.

FOR THE RECORD
Attendance (players): Cassens, Farrell, Genalo, Gesior, LeMatty, Maccanico, McLaughlin, Miller, Nicolosi, Gucci (sub). Net: Harris.
Scratches: Matthews.
Scoring: 1st period: 2-0 Pirates: Goals by Genalo (none); Maccanico (Genalo). 3rd period: 4-2 Big Slick.
date of game: 10.13.10