May 26, 2004
Spin-offs 3, Drunk Penguins 1
Jim Short notched his first career goal for the CGHA and although he was, in reality, simply dumping the puck on goal from just inside the blueline on the right side, it was, perhaps, the biggest goal of the game. Or at least what proved to be the game-winner as the Spin-off team, playing with only two forward lines and three defensemen, skated past the Drunk Penguins 3-1 at the Nelson Sports Complex for the team’s second consecutive win in the Rolling Meadows spring/summer league.
The Spin-off team now stands at 2-0. Short’s goal, at 7:19 of the first period, came on an assist from defenseman Brian Merlot, who also assisted Rusty Fleury’s slapshot goal at 1:44 of the first period. Spin-off goalie Keith Halverson, who stopped about 25 shots, fed Merlot on Fleury’s goal for Halverson’s second assist of the season.
Halverson, though, also had two penalties. So too did Larry Zyks.
Andy Rogers tapped home Spin-off’s third goal with 3:10 remaining as a Fleury slapshot had slipped under the goalie’s pads. The Drunk Penguins ruined the shutout with 2:41 remaining. Merlot, Tom Economoth and Laura Moss were rock-solid on defense, especially Moss who left the game early in the third period after injuring her hand catching a Drunk Penguins’ slapshot. About five minutes after leaving the ice, Moss returned – with more stellar support on defense. Moss’ efforts earned her the post-game Game Puck.
Economoth received the post-game Game Puck in Spin-off’s last game and, surprisingly, forgot to bring the beer this time. No doubt Economoth will bring some cold-ones for the team’s next game: Saturday, June 5, against Morning Wood, starting at 10:30 p.m. at the Nelson Sports Complex.
STATS:
Rusty Fleury: 1 goal, 1 assist.
Keith Halverson: 1 assist, 4 penalty minutes.
Brian Merlot: 2 assists.
Andy Rogers: 1 goal
Larry Zyks: 4 penalty minutes.
Jim Short: 1 goal.