On face value, the Nutty Squirrels appeared to be like any other average C3 challenger to the Red Liners. A comedy of errors let this winnable game for the Liners almost slip away. But the guys and gal in red maintained their cool and stuck with their initial strategy. They would eventually take the lead for good and claim victory over their opponents who wore jerseys of squirrels with large testicles.
The first period began ominously as the Liners had to kill a 5-3 penalty (B-Hole and Dr. Watson both for tripping) after just 6 minutes. Fortunately, the Squirrels could not capitalize on this advantage due to great blocking from the Liners defense and Bigfield in net. But it left the Liners a slightly out of sync as evident by errant passes, trouble crossing blue lines with the puck, and inability to clear pucks out of the zone. These missteps came together in the Squirrels’ first goal of the game with 3 minutes left in the period. But little glimpses of excellent began to appear. For example, Queen Steph blocked a slapshot with her right leg which left her temporarily incapacitated.
Lead by assistant captain Sobo, the Liners regrouped made a more concerted effort to focus on firing shots at their opponent’s net. It would be Jimmie who’d provide the spark for the team’s offense. After mere 4 1/2 minutes into the second period, he grabbed a pinball pass from Dr. Watson and Big Pauley and fired it into the upper part of the Squirrels’ goal. Two minutes later, he would break into the offensive zone off a pass from Queen Steph and Mixy. He wristed a beautiful post-crossbar shot into the upper part of the net. The Squirrels would tied up the score just 90 seconds later however. The remaining minutes were full of penalties that neither team could use. B-hole would get called for interference. The Squirrels got called for roughing twice.
With both teams now headed into the third period tied, they seemed to step up the physical play and trash talking. A small scuffle ensued after B-hole was crosschecked behind the net. One of the Nutty Squirrels even shouted out “fruit”, a 1930’s derogatory term for gay man, to one of the Liners. But the Liners continue to attack their opponent’s net. Dr. Watson scored the game-winning goal by one-timing a lightning cross-slot pass from the Druck. For the remaining half of the third period which included a 6-5 against the Liners, they overcame a few positional and passing missteps and manage to hold on to their one goal advantage.
Their 4-0 record this season is the best start the Red Liners have ever had in their 6 seasons at Johnny’s Ice House. This currently places them in first place for now. They meet up with the DVDA (0-2-1) on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 9:20 (Johnny’s Ice House East) and hope to extend their winning streak to 5 before meeting the always formidable Devils, last seasons champions.