With two Red Liner teams at McFetridge (Howard and 95th), the CGHA knew the two teams would eventually meet up for a face-off. However, they did not expect it with their first game. They also did not expect it with having a 1/3 to 1/4 of their team unable to play (due to a conflicting playoff game).
The 95th suited up 4 veteran McFet players along with 7 novice players (4 called up from the minor leagues). On the other side, Howard had 12 veterans and 1 novice player. Even with that split, the first period was a draw as neither team could score. There was some offensive threats but the D held their own on both sides.
In the second period, the Howard Red Liners would score first during a particularly long shootingfest. With the 95th unable to clear the puck, things became more frantic around their net. Eventually, Queen Anne slip in and popped a high wrist shot past Dr. Funk, the 95th’s goalie. They would notch their second goal of the game early in the third period from Kris Kross who wristed a loose puck in the slot just inside the near goal past. The 95th would get on the board with the tenacious play from Mike “Marooney” T. He skated into the Howard zone and fired a shot which was blocked by a D. However, the rebound was left at their feet and he slap at the puck again which slip just past Dr. Nick, the Howard net minder. The 95th could not tie up the score even with pulling their goalie with less than a minute to play.
Both teams had a thorough exhaustive outing for their first matchup and first matchup against each other. With the teams playing together more and trying to gel their lines, more success is expected on both side. Their next matchup against each other should be an exciting one.