p>The Red Liners returned to the practice ice for the Chicago Blackhawks after a month hiatus to meetup with another rival, the Theory. They hoped to build
off their big win against the Grip Pro Bullfrogs and start another winning streak. The guys and gal in red jumped to a big league but the Theory charged back within one goal. But the Liners hung on in the waning minutes to take a 7-5 win.
The Liners came out strong as was evident by an early goal in the first period by David. Don Juan was gained control of a loose puck in the slot and passed it wide of the Theory's net where a waiting David easily slammed the puck into the empty net. This line remained hot as they ended scoring another goal in their next shift. The play began with one of the defensive queens, Justina, clearing the puck along the far boards to Don Juan who skated deep into the Theory zone where he passed it across the slot where Mixy wristed the puck past the Theory netminder and into the empty net. Not to be left out, Sobo turned up the skill level as he was playing wing for this game. On the shift after Mixy's goal, Sobo grabbed a backhand clearing tip from Doc and skated deep toward the near offensive circle. There, he passed it across the slot to Big Pauly who tip it just inside the far post. The Theory did come back with a goal of their own off a mid-level sharp angled shot just inside the far post. But David would come back with another goal to take the momentum back. Big Pauly first tried to score on a breakaway toward the Theory goalie. The block shot rebounded to a waiting David who popped the puck just past the Theory netminder.
The second period would see the overall momentum even out. Once again, the Liners would not the period's first goal. Bleech stopped a clearing pass and tried to fired a wrist shot at the Theory net which was stopped. The rebounded puck laid near Don Juan who picked it up
and tossed it just past the Theory goalie. The Theory charged back from the 4 goal deficit with two goals on their own as their increased offensive pressure made it difficult to clear the puck out of the Liners' zone. Jimmy would notch the Liners' sixth goal after Bleech shot from the far circle. The Theory goalie blocked the shot but left the near side of the net empty. B-hole tried to swipe at the puck but it ended up by Jimmy who was waiting near the near post and easily swept it past the the reach of the goalie.
The third period had the momentum swing to
the Theory. The Red Liner offense stalled as all the lines had trouble maintaining offensive pressure. There were several breakaways for but the Theory goalie stood on his head and stonewalled these chances. They were able to score two goals off increasing offensive pressure and another sharp angled shot into the upper corner
of the Liners' net. Now being only one goal behind, the Theory continued to come after the Red Liners. They pulled their goalie with a minute left. This gave Sobo an scoring opportunity when he gained control of the puck in the neutral zone. He fired a bouncing shot into the empty net with 30 seconds left in the game and essentially guaranteed a win for the Liners.
The Liners realized they got away with win after relaxing a bit in the offensive zone and some sloppy play in the defensive zone. Against a stronger team, they could have lost. They hope to tighten up the passing in the offensive zone and limit shooters access a far distance from their goalie. They net meet up with the Centurions who was the previous team for several players. This will be the only matchup for the two teams. The Liners will not take them lightly even though the Centurions have a losing record.