The Johnny’s Red Liners had something to prove to their fans and themselves in their game against the Buffet Boys. First, they wanted to make up for the tough loss against the Rats in the previous week. Second, they wanted to show consistency by b
eating weaker team as expected. Third, they wanted a win while showing off their new Carolina Hurricane-style hockey socks. In the end, the boys and girl in red did not disappoint anyone.
The general style of the game was fairly evident early in the first period. The Liners came out strong and pounded the Buffet Boys’ net with shot after shot. It would take less than three minutes for the Liners to notch their first goal. The Queen of Defense picked up a loose puck and fired a shot at the net where a floating Toto eventually pounded it just past the Buffet’s netminder. Though the Liners continued to fire more pucks at the Buffet Boys’ goal, the puck would not go in. The Boys would tie it up after skating around a flailing Doc and firing a wrist shot into the upper corner of the net. Toto would knotch his second goal of the game after popping in a rebound from a point shot from Sobo that B-hole tried to stuff.
The second period continued the puck barrage at the Buffet Boys and scored after just 90 seconds into the period. For the Red Liners’ third goal, Tyty grabbed a backwards pass from Doc and skated behind the Boys’ net and chipped it to a waiting Pauly who popped it in the backdoor of the net. Two minutes later, Toto was credited with a hattrick after his third goal. Fans suspected the puck was popped in by Jimmie though but Toto too credit to get the hattrick. Scuba Joe did have one notable play 11 minutes into the period on a penalty kill. Trying to run the clock, he went on a deep break away past the five Buffet Boys. He could score but kep the puck against boards in the far corner as 2-3 Buffet Boys players tried to slash the puck away from his skates. Before the close of the second period, B-hole popped in the loose puck in front of the open Buffet Boys’ net after
Jimmie rang the far post with a wrist shot. This score was a shot handed goal during a slashing penalty by Prince Allen.
The third period continued the scoring on the Buffet Boys. The Red Liners were looking at breaking a new goal difference record. The current record was 7 goals. After just 38 seconds, Baby would get on the scoreboard after slamming the rebound off Sobo’s slapshot. The Red Liner’s seven goal was a floating shot by Jimmie who arced the puck just over the Buffet Boys’ goalie. Pauley would get the last goal of the game as he managed to shove the puck under the leg of the Boys’ netminder. Others continued to run up the score. Bleech fire a beautiful slapshot that clanged off the post. Teddy and Drucker were picking up loose pucks but couldn’t find that opening for a goal. On the other end, Dr. Nick stayed perfect for the third period.
This 8-1 win is the largest goal differential for the Johnny’s Red Liners but has occurred three other times, once just two games ago. It’s now obvious
that these Red Liners do not play down when facing weaker times. to the contrary, the goal differentials have been huge. With the win, they are tied for third place in a tough division where seven out of the ten teams have at least a .500 winning record. They also have the best Goal For/Goals Against ratio for their section and third best for the entire C3 division. Their next opponent, the Rusty Blades, will probably be their toughest challenge of the year. The Blades beat the Buffet Boys, 13-1. Their single loss occurred while having a short bench. Their recent wins have been by smaller margins.
Game Puck: Prince Allen