(AUGUST 22) Tom Benn had the first two-goal game of his career – at a perfect time.
Benn, playing wing on the line with Rusty Fleury and Andy Rogers, scored the Spin-Off’s first goal, then the game-winner late in the third period as the team defeated Misfits 2, 3-2, at the Nelson Sports Complex in Rolling Meadows.
The win moves the Spin-Offs’ final regular-season record to 6-5, good for fourth-place in the Rolling Meadows spring/summer season. The win also ties the CGHA record for most consecutive wins.
Benn earned the ceremonial Game Puck.
The Misfits 2 struck early, scoring less than four minutes into the game. Benn answered at 5:14 of the first period on assists from Rogers and defenseman Andrew Sobotka.
The Misfits 2 grabbed a 2-1 edge at 13:06 of the second period, and that was the last one allowed by CGHA goalie John Adams (22 saves).
Ringo Leung tied the game, 2-2, at 6:50 of the second period, scoring on passes from Larry Zyks and Michael Ko.
Benn’s game-winner, on a perfect pass from Rogers, came with 5:55 remaining.
The Spin-Offs open the playoffs Tuesday, August 24 (9:55 p.m., at the Nelson Sports Complex), against the very same Misfits 2 (5th-place, 4-7), a team the CGHA has already defeated twice this season. An opening-round win over the Misfits 2 would push the Spin-Offs into a Saturday playoff game against, potentially, the regular-season co-champion, Thin Ice – and the Spin-Offs have already defeated Thin Off within the past few weeks.