Things were looking up for the Liners who built a two goal lead (4-2) against the Blades of Steel with about half of the third period left to go. But two quick goals by the Blades in the closing minutes pushed the game into a overtime shootout. The Blades were able to score twice while the Liners were blanked. It would be the opponents who carried away the win.
Sam I Am (and eventually game puck recipient) would get the scoring off quickly with a backhand shot just inside the near post. The Blades would then match the scoring about half way through the period. Sam would again regain the lead for the Liners with another goal.
The Liners took the one goal lead into the second period but quickly gave up a bouncing goal early in the period. The score would remain tied a 2-2 for the rest of the period. There were several scoring chances on both sides but neither could capitalize.
The scoring would explode in the third period, however. On the powerplay, The Doctor, Chris S, would slap an arcing shot through traffic and ring the pipe. The puck deflected into the net. The Liners’ fourth goal was off an odd delayed-penalty situation. After the Blades were called for a penalty, no whistle was blown as the puck had not been touched by one of their players even though several of them skated right by it. Big Daddy took the loose puck in the neutral zone, skated into the slot, and popped the puck past the Blades’ netminder. But these opponents capitalized use the few scoring chances they had in the remaining minutes. After killing a penalty, the Blades’ player in the penalty box jumped out behind the Liners’ defense with the puck and went unhindered at the Liners’ net. He was able to dribble a pass over the Rocket, the goalie. The Blades were able to tie the game after having a prolonged offensive attack that the Liners were unable to break. Eventually, a wrist shot from the far point whizzed past Rocket and into the net.
With the score tied, both teams went to the shootout. The Blades scored on their first attempt. Big Daddy could not convert on his attempt. The Blades then scored on their second attempt. Sam I Am just missed the inside post on his attempt. With the 2-0 lead, the Blades were awarded the victory.
It was a tough loss to swallow after jumping up 4-2 half way into the third period. There were scoring changes on both sides that rang off posts. The defense will need to do a better job of corralling pucks and clearing them out of the zone. Also, they need to be mindful of when penalties are ending so they don’t get caught in front of opponents. The forwards did a better job of passing the puck around but will still need to practice hugging the boards and tying to get more pucks at the net. The Liners next chance for victory will come quickly: Saturday, Feb 8th at 10:40pm against the Whalers.