With a quick glance at this matchup on “paper”, both teams seemed to be fairly even. The records were similar over the last 14 games. But The Redliner goaltender, Dr. Nick, noticed a more dangerous detail: Ogilvy has won the last 5 of 6 games. It’s only recent loss was against a team, tied for first. The Redliners would also be sporting their older white jerseys against the red-shirted Ogilvy.
The CGHA’s locker room looked sparse as the Zamboni was shaving the ice rink. Captain Toto and assistant captain Don Juan were trying to organize proper lines. The Redliners are usually overflowing with players. But the solid 8 players would have to work overtime and last until the final buzzer after 45 minutes. Big Pauly was brought up from the minors to center one of the forward line. In a last second move, the Joslin Jouster, AKA A Rogers, filled a needed left winger position though there were some questions about his health.
The Redliners pushed a plan of trying to get on the scoreboard quickly and then protect the lead later in the game. Our boys in white dazzled their opponents win the first 4 minutes as Mixy and Rocket, AKA C Smith, tried to crash the Ogilvy net. A shot by Mixy rebounded to the left circle where a waiting Don Juan fired it into the empty net. The slightly shocked Ogilvy tried to fight back but were unable to offer any sustained offense at the Redliners’ D and Dr. Nick. Big Pauly would score the second goal of the period as grabbing a pass in the neutral zone and easily fired a backhand shot past the deked Ogilvy netminder.
The Redliners began to show signs of fatigue as the Ogilvy renewed their offensive effort. Their first score would be a powerplay goal from a tripping call against Doc. Ogilvy would rack up 2 more goals in the next 6 minutes. But Toto would plug that dike after less a minute as he charged deep into the Ogilvy zone and fired the puck past the sitting goalie. He would get the hat trick before the period was over. One goal netted Dr. Nick with an assist as he dished it off to Joe who then dropped it off to Toto who then had an easy shot into the Ogilvy net. The period would end with the Redliners regaining a 2 goal lead.
The overall plan seemed to be coming to fruition. Both teams were slowing down. Tiredness was leading to sloppiness and frustration for Ogilvy. Their captain tried to crash the Redliner net but ended up scuffling with Joe and crashing into Dr. Nick. As the shots were being easily blocked by the Redliner netminder, their rebounds were not picked up by these opponents. Toto would score the final goal as he slipped the puck just inside the near post, ringing it off the far post.
Post-game cool downs revealed an exhausted 9 players especially the Schatzman and the other 2 defensemen. With the win, the CGHA hits the .500 mark and moves up into the top half of the standings. They also continue their alternating win/loss pattern for the last 7 games. Their next game (Sunday, July 22) is against an arch-rival, the Beer Bistro, who knocked them out of the playoffs last season.