While Bill Nye and Ken Ham were debating each other over evolution and creationism, the Liners were matching up with the Theory at the Johnny’s Ice House. The short benched Theory should’ve had a difficult time keeping up with the full, 15-person Red Liners. And the final score proved that fact.
Mixy with ignite a five goal scoring explosion early in the first period by jamming a loose puck (off Dr. Watson’s shot on net) in front of the Theory’s netminder and through the five hole. Minutes later, Easy E would get the first of back to back goals out a scrum in front of the Theory net. A penalty was also called on the Theory and Easy E scored a powerplay goal just thirty seconds later while Mixy and Dr. Watson cycled the net to create havoc. A mere 14 seconds later, Toto’s unsuspected wrister through the five hole surprised the Theory goalie as he was dealing with Big Pauly and MK hovering for rebounds. The cap to the goal-scoring frenzy would be the hat trick for Easy E, assisted by Mixy, late in the period. This was the first hat trick in a single period for a CGHA player.
With the scoring momentum firmly on the Liners’ back, the second period should have been a continuation of the goal scoring. However, the Theory goalie turned up his game and made several key saves to blank the Liners in this period. On the flip side, the Liners’ offense became anemic with many shots not on net or aimed at the goalie’s chest or glove. The one highlight-reel play was the Jedi mind trick from Bigfield on a penalty shot. Toto was called for hooking but the Theory were awarded a penalty shot. The shooter went straight for Bigfield but then quietly veered off without Bigfield moving an inch. The Liners successfully killed their only penalty of the game. But they were unable to capitalize on two more powerplays in that period which prompted Bigfield to lament on how poor the powerplay was.
The Theory did break the shutout by scoring their only goal of the game only six minutes into the third period. Not surprisingly it would be Easy E who would flip the momentum back to the Liners three minutes later. He wristed a across the body, upper net shot for his fourth goal of the game. The D also began to get into the scoring changes with Queen Steph and The Druck charging deep into the offensive zone with the puck. Jimmie would be the lone defenseman to score after Baby and Tyty tried to score on the net. The rebound landed in the mid-slot and Jimmie lofted the shot high into the upper net. In the final minute, B-hole did have slap a rebounded puck past the Theory netminder but had his goal called off (Refs claimed to have blown the whistle prior to his shot.)
The domination was quite complete in the first period. But the combination of better defensive play by the Theory and the Liners’ seeming to left up lead to no goals in the second period. But the guys and gal in red regroup and made the conscious effort to turn up the offensive threats. The late games could have played a factor in the lower energy on both sides as the game proceeded. The still sit on top of the C3 South Division, two points ahead of the Devils who have two games in hand. Their next game is against the last placed Centurions (2-13-0-0) on Sat, Feb 15 at 1:30, JIH East.