The Red Liners tried to continue their winning ways as they met up with the renamed Crowns (AKA The Blades of Steel) in their first matchup of the season. Previous meetings were spirited contests with the Red Liners eventually coming out on top. This game would be no different.
It was deep into the first period before either time would score any goals. Sherlock who was brought up from the minors lead the scoring on a breakaway shot into the upper corner of the net off a pass from Mixy. Tyty would find a loose puck in the crease and slipped it into the net to give the Liners a 2-0 lead after one period. Each team failed to capitalize on a powerplay chance.
The second period was a back and forth affair as both teams would be dogged by extended defensive plays in their own zone. Toto popped in a puck into the empty net from a pass from Twank. But the Crowns would come roaring back with 3 unanswered goals of their own in the next 9 minutes. Bigfield stood on his head as pucks were bouncing around and over him. The Crown’s first goal was off a bouncing puck as the Liners’ goalie sat in the crease. Their second goal was actually shot in by MK as he tried to clear the puck but had it bounce off the blade and into his own net. The third was off a sustained crash into the Liners’ net. But the Liners regroup and charged back with 3 more goals of their own. Twank would net the eventual game winner off a high shot off a quick pass from B-hole. Sherlock would follow as he, Teddy, and Tyty swarmed around the Crowns’ net and eventually poked the puck pass the goalie. Toto notched his second goal in the mad scramble in the Crowns’ slot. As in the first period, neither team took advantage of their powerplay chance.
The third period was a much quieter affair as the Liners went into a defensive mode. Just like the other two periods, neither team scored on their powerplay chances. The few chances the Crowns had to score were easily repelled by the Liners skater. The Liners did score their final goal half way through the period and took the game, 7-3.
With their third straight win, the Red Liners move up to third place in the South C3 Conference. Their next game will be against the Fireballs who sit at 1-4-0 on Sunday, May 12th at 10:40pm at Johnny’s East.