This Saturday game was the second matchup against a more physical-than-average team, the Whalers. The scoring would be frequent and unexpected on both sides. But it would the guys in red that would come out on top for his second win of the season.
The start the game began ominously for the Red Liners as they let up two goals within the first half of the first period. But Kryan Ryan would finally get the Liners on board off pass from Nilsey. About four minutes later, Kryan would again score for the Liners off a rebounded shot by Nilsey. But the Whalers would halt this offensive showcase a mere 40 seconds later.
This back and forth scoring continued into the second period. Sammy the Preppy picked off a clearing attempt by the Whalers and wristed the puck just inside the far post. Big Kris would give the Liners their first lead of the game with a surprise goal. He lobbed wrist shot from outside the blue line that bounced through the Whalers’ netminders’ five hole. A few defensive breakdowns and oddman rushes let to the Whalers notching two more goals of their own. Rocket in net make a close slave with a blocked shot dribbled just behind him.
Coach Sobo gathered his team with a new mission in the third period. He wanted more shots and more dumping into the zone if needed. His defensemen and forwards answered the call. Nilsey again got the scoring started after just 8 seconds into the period when his wrist shot just inside the blue line deflected off a Whaler’s leg and flew into the net. With the game tied, the pressure on the Whalers was turned up even more as the Liners’ defensemen broke out of their zone and where able to dump the puck deep into the Whaler zone for their teammates to chase. Evan and Spots broke free to fire shots at the net. NIlsey would grab his second goal off a breakaway where he stuffed the puck just inside the post. With the Liners now ahead, Sammy wristed an insurance goal after popping in a rebounded shot into the upper net. Rocket remained firm for the rest of the remaining half of the period. Chris S, the Doctor, stonewalled a few scoring attempts near the net. The Liners were rapidly getting pucks out of their zone by picking up the loose pucks in their zone, zooming them behind the net, and having wingers like ThomThom, AJ, and Eric the Music Man pop them out of the zone. In one last gasp, the Whalers did pull their goalie with seventy seconds left to play but could not capitalize with the extra man. In fact, Jake almost scored on the empty net with his own last second breakaway.
After five games, the Red Liners have improved their record to 2-3. Line combinations are starting to solidify. Pairs are getting to know their partners. More work still needs to be done on the basics such as positioning and upclose skating/stickhandling. Their next game is only two days away against the undefeated Snatchers.